The Black Cat
The Black Cat is quite possibly the darkest and most cautionary short story from Edgar Allan Poe. The way he portrayed alcoholism to be a “fiend” that could allow a man to lose control of his sensibilities and commit the most horrifying of crime, from injuring then killing a helpless cat to killing his own wife, is a cautionary tale that is applicable even in today’s modern, yet more violent than ever, times.
The Purloined Letter
The Purloined Letter started the trend tirelessly utilized to this very day by mystery writers, that of concealing something in full view in order to hide it from the people looking for it. It is a study of law enforcement limitations and the lengths a criminal will go through in order to protect his personal interests.