Nearly all the stories of Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos are popular, but critics disagree over which tales are the best. For instance, those who favor science fiction tend to prefer "The Colour Out of Space" (1927), while those who favor Gothic tales tend to prefer "The Dunwich Horror," and those who favor adventure stories tend to prefer At the Mountains of Madness (1935).

Over the years, in their purchases of books and their contributions to fan magazines, general readers have shown a preference for "The Dunwich Horror" and "The Shadow Out of Time" (1935) because of their suspenseful situations.

Other stories that are generally held in high regard are "The Shadow over Innsmouth" (1931) and "The Whisperer in Darkness" (1931).

"The Dunwich Horror," is part of a nonsequential series of stories in what critics commonly call the "Cthulhu Mythos." There is much disagreement among readers about what works truly belong in the...