Edgar Allan Poe 
The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar 

The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar, was taken to be factual upon its publication in 1845. This short story by American author Edgar Allan Poe is about a hypnotist whose subject is a man on death’s doorstep. Full of real suspense and horror, Poe played along with the idea that the story was real for a time before admitting it was a work of pure fiction. The story is notable for a relatively high level of gore and medical detail.

About the author

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American author of short stories, poetry, and literary criticism and theory. Titled ‘The Master of the Macabre’ he is famous for his tales of mystery and horror. He was one of the earliest masters of the short story and is widely credited as the creator of detective fiction.