The Masque of the Red Death: and Other Stories (Read Red)

• The House on the Borderland (Read Red)
• The Lair of the White Worm (Read Red)
• The Beetle
• Lois the Witch: and Other Stories (Read Red)
• The Haunted Dolls' House: and Other Stories (Read Red)

When the story begins, a strange and deadly plague is stalking the land. When the disease is contracted, the victim is dead within a half hour, bleeding from every pore, giving the ghastly disease its name, the "Red Death." The strange and demented Prince Prospero decides to defeat the disease by sequestering himself and a thousand courtiers in a sealed-off abbey, where they can lead a life of comfort, safety and sensuality. But, when the Prince throws a masquerade ball, there appears among the guests a figure dressed as one who died of the Red Death. Why is he dressed like that, and who is it beneath the costume?

I must say, it is easy to see why this is considered a classic of American literature, and why it is still such a popular read over 150 years after it first appeared! I found the story to be quite scary, in the older way, without recourse to blood and severed limbs, and keeps you glued to your chair reading it. I am now quite sorry that it took me so long to get around to reading this story, it's great, and I highly recommend it.