The Castle of Otranto

Experience the original gothic novel - complete with castles, ghosts, and dark deeds. Manfred, Lord of Otranto, was due to oversee the marriage of his son and heir, Conrad, to the beautiful Isabella. But Conrad is found dead under mysterious circumstances on the day of the wedding, and Manfred suspects an ancient curse is responsible. Determined not to lose his hold on Otranto, he resolves to marry the unwilling Isabella himself and secure his line. Larger forces are at work, however, and Manfred may find that thwarting fate is not quite so simple... Written in 1764, Walpole's chilling and exciting tale is credited with starting the gothic horror tradition.