Horror · Short stories · Gothic
The Tell-Tale Heart
An unnamed narrator insists he is sane while he describes murdering the old man he lives with because of the man's pale eye. Then the sound of a beating heart begins to haunt him.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1843
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 25
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a quick classic of psychological horror to read in one sitting.
Skip this if you prefer long, slow-building stories or dislike a disturbed narrator's inner voice.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about The Tell-Tale Heart
- What is The Tell-Tale Heart about?
- An unnamed narrator insists he is sane while he describes murdering the old man he lives with because of the man's pale eye. Then the sound of a beating heart begins to haunt him.
- Who should read The Tell-Tale Heart?
- Read it if you want a quick classic of psychological horror to read in one sitting. Skip it if you prefer long, slow-building stories or dislike a disturbed narrator's inner voice.
- How long and how fast is The Tell-Tale Heart?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 25 pages, first published in 1843.
- Does The Tell-Tale Heart have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Violence, Mental illness.
- Can I borrow The Tell-Tale Heart for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Tell-Tale Heart; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
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| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Horror