Four of Poe’s classic tales are presented here. In The Black Cat, a man blames his black cat for his descent into murder and madness, The Masque of the Red Death is a tale about nobles who hole up in a castle in an attempt to escape the disease that is ravaging the countryside. Hop-Frog is a story about a diminutive jester ordered to entertain a cruel king, and The Fall of the House of Usher, tells of a visitor’s journey and arrival at to a cursed family’s mansion .
These tales have been brought to life with vivid illustrations by Gris Grimly. These vary from the dark and disturbing to the light and whimsical. Although Poe’s tales can be found in a variety of books and formats, this book stands out. Grimly’s art may attract teens who might be intimidated by the traditional presentaion of Poe’s work. Grimly’s illustrations have the feel of a touch of madness to them and complement Poe’s tales perfectly, providing a great hook for reluctant readers.