
Trav, the James story I most frequently see recommended or discussed is Casting the Runes. Believe it was also a huge influence on Lovecraft's highly influential Call of Cthulhu. It's been several years but I remember it being an okay read (liked Cthulhu a lot more). But out of all his stories it's prolly the best place to start

Wish i could participate even more but gothic and short story (slash novella) are too great to pass up

Varney is one of the original penny dreadful s. I think the version that was eventually collected is missing several chapters. Ive read some James, some Lovecraft, and some LeFanu but havent read Carmilla yet. Excited!