Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales collects some of the master of Gothic horror's most famous stories. Through tales of madness, death, and the macabre, Poe created the template for psychological horror and detective fiction. The collection becomes both introduction to Poe's genius and showcase of his range, proving that Poe invented multiple genres and that his influence on horror and mystery is immeasurable.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Poe wrote the stories that defined Gothic horror and created the detective story, influencing everything that came after. This collection reminds us that "The Tell-Tale Heart" still terrifies, that Poe understood psychological horror, and that his prose is as important as his poetry.

DETAILS: • Author: Edgar Allan Poe • Publisher: Signet Book • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: October 3, 2006 • ISBN: 9780451530318