Well, 'The Monkey's Paw' is a blood curdling ghost story. A family gets a magical paw that can grant wishes, but every wish comes with a horrible consequence. There's also the Japanese ghost story of Okiku and the Nine - Plated Dish. Okiku was a servant who was murdered and her spirit haunts the place, counting the plates she was accused of breaking. Then there's 'The Canterville Ghost' which is about a ghost trying to scare a family in an old mansion, but instead gets outwitted by them.
One classic is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a narrator who is haunted by the eye of an old man he lives with and eventually kills him. The guilt drives him mad as he imagines he can still hear the old man's heart beating. Another is 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' where Ichabod Crane has a terrifying encounter with the Headless Horseman. And 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens also has some spooky elements with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Blood curdling ghost stories can make people feel scared. They play on our fears of the unknown, the afterlife and the supernatural. When we hear or read such stories, our fight - or - flight response can be triggered, making our hearts race and palms sweat.
Well, a blood curdling lifestyle in a manga might involve lots of horror elements, like creepy monsters or supernatural threats. Also, a messed-up society with no hope could contribute. Or, if the main character has a really tragic and painful life, that could do it too.
The intense plot and unique character designs usually do the trick. They create a sense of mystery and danger that keeps readers hooked.
Once upon a time, in an old, creaky mansion on the outskirts of town, there lived a woman and her two children. One stormy night, a strange figure lurked outside. The woman saw it through the window and let out a blood - curdling scream. Her children, frightened, huddled together. The figure turned out to be a lost traveler, but the initial fear was palpable.
A monster. In many stories, if a hideous monster with sharp teeth and glowing eyes suddenly appears in front of a woman and her children, they would surely let out blood - curdling screams. It's a classic horror scenario.
Classic elements in manu a ghost stories can be the use of fog. It gives an air of mystery and makes it hard to see what might be lurking. Also, cold spots are common. It's as if the ghosts bring a chill with them. And then there are the haunted objects. Maybe an old doll or a mirror that seems to have a life of its own and is often associated with the ghostly presence.
Some excellent classic ghost stories include 'The Canterville Ghost' by Oscar Wilde. It has a humorous take on a ghost trying to haunt a family. 'Ghost - Ship' is also a good one, with its tales of a haunted ship at sea. And 'The Mezzotint' by M. R. James, which often features in collections of the best classic ghost stories as it has a very spooky and mysterious plot.
One classic fireplace ghost story is 'The Canterville Ghost'. It's about an American family who moves into an English castle haunted by a ghost. The ghost tries to scare them but the family is not easily frightened. Another is 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow', often told around a fireplace. It features the Headless Horseman who chases Ichabod Crane through the spooky woods. There's also 'A Christmas Carol' which has a ghostly element. Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, which changes his life around the warm glow of a fireplace.
One classic Gothic ghost story is 'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole. It is often considered the first Gothic novel and features elements like a haunted castle, mysterious disappearances, and supernatural occurrences. Another is 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James, which has a governess who believes she sees the ghosts of her predecessors at a country house.
Some people consider 'Carmilla' to be a great frightening ghost story. It's an early vampire story where the female vampire Carmilla has a very eerie and alluring presence. 'The Haunting of Hill House' is also quite famous. The house itself seems to be haunted and the events that unfold within its walls are enough to send chills down your spine.