10 Weirdest Lovecraft Stories Every Horror Fan Should Read
2. The Shadow Over Innsmouth
Despite being a fairly contentious story thanks to the nature of its themes and the reflection of the era's more culturally ingrained fears, The Shadow Over Innsmouth is without a doubt the most tense and gripping of all of Lovecraft's narratives.
Robert Olmstead is taking a bus tour through the many towns and cities through the New England region and has taken a particular interest in the ruined town of Innsmouth, supposedly due to its architectural and antiquarian merits. Despite warnings from superstitious locals regarding the nature of the dilapidated town, Robert decides to investigate the town and interview some of its inhabitants. After being told the fates of the many reporters and government officials that have visited before him, mechanical problems force Robert to spend the night in the secretive and unnerving town.
His evening soon takes a turn for the worse as the suspicious townspeople surround Robert's hotel room and the rest of his night becomes a fight for survival as he attempts to navigate the maze like alleys and lanes that litter the confusing streets.
Truly gripping throughout, The Shadows Over Innsmouth is a perfectly woven narrative with a plethora of twists and includes the greatest chase scene ever committed to print.