"The War Prayer," a short story by Mark Twain, was published posthumously in 1916. Twain, known for his sharp wit and incisive satire, uses this narrative to critique the blind patriotism and moral contradictions inherent in war.
"The Treasure in the Forest" by H.G. Wells crafts a tale of greed, adventure, and the dire consequences of pursuing ill-gotten wealth. Set in a lush, tropical landscape, the story follows two men, Evans and Hooker, as they embark on a perilous quest to recover hidden treasure.
"The Thames Valley Catastrophe" by Grant Allen is a gripping tale of survival and disaster, published in 1897. Set against the backdrop of a catastrophic geological event, the story unfolds through the eyes of a government clerk.
"The Star" by H.G. Wells, published in 1897, is a gripping science fiction short story that illustrates a catastrophic celestial event and its profound impact on Earth.
"The Spider" is a chilling mystery novella by Hanns Heinz Ewers, published in 1915. The story is set in Paris, in the small Hotel Stevens on Rue Alfred Stevens. The narrative centers on a peculiar series of suicides that occur in room #7 of the hotel.
"The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Baroness Emma Orczy, published in 1905, is a thrilling tale set during the French Revolution. The novel captures the tumultuous period of the Reign of Terror, where the guillotine claimed numerous victims among the French aristocracy.
"The Road," written by Jack London, is a memoir published in 1907 that provides a vivid recounting of the author's experiences as a hobo in the 1890s.
"The Power of Darkness," a short story written by Edith Nesbit in 1905, blends elements of horror and psychological thriller around the chilling wager between two friends set against the backdrop of the Musée Grévin, a wax museum renowned for its lifelike and deathlike exhibits.
"The Pit and the Pendulum," written by Edgar Allan Poe and first published in 1842, is a harrowing tale set during the Spanish Inquisition. The story delves into the psychological and physical tortures endured by the unnamed narrator.