Horror fiction, also known as macabre fiction or Gothic literature, is a genre of fiction that is designed to create feelings of fear, terror, and dread in its readers. It often features supernatural or eerie elements, such as ghosts, monsters, haunted houses, or witches. Other synonyms for horror fiction include dark fiction, terror fiction, and spooky fiction. This genre has been popular for centuries, with classic works such as Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" being some of the most well-known horror stories. Today, horror fiction continues to captivate readers around the world, with new authors and stories emerging all the time.