The death of Edgar Allan Poe on October 7, 1849, has remained mysterious: the circumstances leading up to it are uncertain and the cause of death is disputed. On October 3, Poe was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore, Maryland, "in great distress, and... in need of immediate assistance", according to the man who found him, Joseph W. Walker. He was taken to the Washington College Hospital, where he died at 5 a.m. on Sunday, October 7. Poe was never coherent enough to explain how he ...

This installment shifts focus from John Carter and Dejah Thoris, protagonists of the first three books in the series, to their son Carthoris, prince of Helium, and to Thuvia, princess of Ptarth, and follows Carthoris' efforts to win the heart of Thuvia, who will have nothing to do with him. When Thuvia is kidnapped Carthoris is presented with an opportunity -- throw in an airship battle, lost cities, savage creatures, and the fabulous phantom bowmen of Lothar, and you have thrills, chills,...

"Mesmeric Revelation" is a short story in which a mesmerist puts his friend, Mr. Vankirk, into a trance. While mesmerized, Vankirk discusses profound ideas about the nature of God, the universe, and the soul, revealing esoteric knowledge. As the session concludes, Vankirk dies, highlighting the thin line between life and death.

"The Raven" is a narrative poem by the American writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe. It was published for the first time on January 29, 1845, in the New York Evening Mirror. Noted for its musicality, stylized language and supernatural atmosphere, it tells of the mysterious visit of a talking raven to a distraught lover, tracing his slow descent into madness.

"On Ghosts" by Mary Shelley explores people's belief in the supernatural through personal anecdotes and reflections on ghostly encounters. The essay discusses stories of apparitions and the psychological effects they have on the individuals who witness them, blending the supernatural with human experience and emotional responses.

"The Pit and the Pendulum" is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe and first published in 1842. The story is about the torments endured by a prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition, though Poe skews historical facts. The narrator of the story is deemed guilty for an unnamed crime and put into a completely dark room. He passes out while trying to determine the size of the room. When he wakes up, he realizes there is a large, deep pit in the middle of the room. He loses consciousness again a...

"The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck" tells the story of Perkin Warbeck, a young man who claims to be Richard, Duke of York, and rightful heir to the English throne. Set against the backdrop of late 15th-century England, the novel explores themes of identity, loyalty, and political intrigue. As Warbeck attempts to rally support and assert his claim, he faces numerous challenges and dangers, making for a gripping tale of ambition and deception.

A futuristic story of tragic love and of the gradual extermination of the human race by plague, The Last Man is Mary Shelley's most important novel after Frankenstein. With intriguing portraits of Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron, the novel offers a vision of the future that expresses a reaction against Romanticism, and demonstrates the failure of the imagination and of art to redeem the doomed characters.

"The Heir of Mondolfo" is a gothic short story by Mary Shelley, published posthumously in 1877. It revolves around Ludovico, the second son of a nobleman, who is initially despised by his father. When his older brother dies, Ludovico becomes the heir, but his cruel father forces him to accept his legacy. This change disrupts his love life and personal happiness, presenting themes of inheritance, social status, and personal sacrifice in a gothic and romantic setting.

In this gothic tale, Constance, a young woman, is in love with Gaspar, the son of her father's enemy. After their fathers die in a battle, Constance seeks guidance in her dreams on how to handle this forbidden love. Following her heart, she decides to marry Gaspar the next day

"The Mystery of Marie Rogêt", often subtitled A Sequel to "The Murders in the Rue Morgue", is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe written in 1842. This is the first murder mystery based on the details of a real crime. It first appeared in Snowden's Ladies' Companion in three installments, November and December 1842 and February 1843.

"The Invisible Girl" is a Gothic tale about Rosina, a young woman who is cast out by her guardian. As she faces isolation, her fiancé searches for her, leading to a dramatic and romantic reunion. The story explores themes of love, loss, and perseverance.