mystery english best short stories

Some good mystery English short stories include 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's a story full of mystery as the narrator's mental state deteriorates while she is confined to a room with strange wallpaper. 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton is also interesting. The ending is left ambiguous, leaving the reader to wonder whether the lady or the tiger came out of the door. Also, 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe, where a man exacts a very devious revenge in a catacomb, filled with mystery and suspense.

You can start by looking at classic literature anthologies. Many of them include well - known mystery short stories. Also, check out online e - book platforms like Project Gutenberg, which has a vast collection of free classic short stories, including mystery ones. Another option is to ask for recommendations at your local library. Librarians are usually very knowledgeable and can point you in the right direction.

Surprise endings are also common. Agatha Christie is a master of this. In many of her stories, including 'The Witness for the Prosecution', the final revelations completely change the reader's perception of the story. The plot twists are carefully crafted to shock and engage the reader until the very end.

One characteristic is a concise plot. For example, in 'The Most Dangerous Game', the story quickly sets up the situation of a hunter becoming the hunted on an island. Another is strong character development in a short span. In 'The Cask of Amontillado', we can clearly see the vengeful nature of Montresor. Also, they often have a powerful theme. 'To Build a Fire' shows man's struggle against nature in a very short space.

Well, 'The Necklace' is a well - known English short story. It tells the story of a woman who borrows a necklace to attend a ball, loses it, and then spends years in poverty trying to replace it, only to find out at the end that the original necklace was fake. Also, Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Tell - Tale Heart' is a classic. The narrator's descent into madness while being haunted by the old man's 'vulture - eye' makes for a thrilling read. Then there's 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce. It plays with the concept of time and the illusions of a man about to be hanged.

Well, they often have engaging plots. They can draw you in quickly and keep you hooked till the end. For example, many use vivid language to create a strong sense of place and character.

Another great short story is 'A Rose for Emily' by William Faulkner. It's a rather dark and complex story about a southern belle named Emily. It delves into themes of tradition, change, and the passage of time. The townspeople's view of Emily and the mystery surrounding her actions make it a very engaging read.

Another good one is 'The Woman in White' by Wilkie Collins. It's a complex mystery involving a woman in white who seems to be at the center of a web of secrets, with themes of identity, inheritance, and love all intertwined in the mystery.

Well - developed characters play a huge role. Take Sherlock Holmes for example. His unique personality, his deductive skills, and his relationship with Watson make the stories engaging. We are interested in how he will use his intelligence to solve the mystery. Also, the settings in these stories are often very atmospheric. For instance, in many of Agatha Christie's works, the closed - off locations like a country house or a train add to the mystery. There are a limited number of suspects, and the claustrophobic feeling makes it more exciting as we try to figure out who the murderer could be among those few people.

The use of suspense is masterful. The slow build - up as the narrator plans the murder and then the increasing paranoia afterwards create a truly nerve - wracking reading experience. The story also has a very atmospheric setting which adds to the mystery. It's set in a rather dreary and claustrophobic place which enhances the feeling of dread and unease.