best collection of scary short stories

Edgar Allan Poe's short story collections could be considered among the best for scary stories. His works, such as 'The Tell - Tale Heart' and 'The Fall of the House of Usher', are masterpieces of horror. Poe has a way of creating a sense of unease and dread through his vivid descriptions, complex characters, and dark themes.

I'd suggest 'Scary Stories for Young Foxes' by Christian McKay Heidicker. It's a great starting point as it has scary elements but is also accessible for those new to the genre. The stories are engaging and not overly gory or complex.

One common theme is the unknown. For example, in many stories, there are mysterious creatures or events that the characters can't explain. This creates fear because humans are often afraid of what they don't understand.

The key is the element of surprise and the ability to create a creepy atmosphere. Good short scary stories have unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Well, a good collection often has a variety of story types. It might include classic horror elements like ghosts, vampires, and werewolves. For example, stories that send shivers down your spine with their descriptions of haunted houses or dark forests.

A group of friends decided to camp in the woods. At night, they heard a loud growling. They were all terrified. One of them bravely got out of the tent with a flashlight. There, they saw a'strange beast'. It was actually a small dog with a very deep bark. The dog had wandered away from its owner's campsite nearby. The friends couldn't stop laughing at how scared they had been.

A young boy was home alone and heard the doorknob rattle. He was scared out of his wits thinking it was a burglar. But when he finally got the courage to peek, it was his own dog who had accidentally bumped into the door while chasing a ball. It's a simple yet effective short, funny, and scary story.

One good one might be 'The Haunted House'. It has a really spooky atmosphere with creaking floors and strange noises. Another could be 'The Shadow Man' which plays on the fear of the unknown figure lurking in the dark. And 'The Cursed Doll' is also great as it gives an eerie feeling about an inanimate object coming to life.

You can try checking your local bookstore. They often have a section for horror or short story collections. Another option is to look on online book retailers like Amazon. They usually have a wide variety of books available, including collections of scary short stories.

The short length is appealing. You can quickly get a dose of horror without a long - time commitment. For example, if you only have a few minutes to spare, you can read one short story and still get that spooky feeling.