Halloween would not be the same without Edgar Allan Poe, the author of such haunting tales as “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” the gruesome “The Black Cat,” and the famous poem, “The Raven.”

Poe died at the young age of 40 on Oct. 7, 1849, but his poetic and storytelling genius changed literature forever. Credited with being the father of the modern detective story and a major contributor to the genres of horror and science fiction, Poe wrote psychologically thrilling tales that have never been out of print and have been translated into most of the world’s major languages. His stories place the reader inside the tortured minds of people confronted with the supernatural and over the years they’ve inspired countless artists, playwrights, filmmakers and composers.

This month the Maple Valley Library is featuring a program inspired by Poe. The Mystery and Magic of Edgar Allen Poe from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 will feature Professor Payne, one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading magicians who will perform tricks blended with tales as diverse as The Purloined Letter and the Masque of the Red Death. This performance is suitable for families with older children and teens.

The library is also featuring a display of books by or about Edgar Allan Poe all this month.

Here are just a few of the titles:

• “In the Shadow of the Master: Classic Tales by Edgar Allen Poe edited by Michael Connelly.”

Collected to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Poe’s birth these 16 tales are accompanied by 20 essays from popular authors like Stephen King, Lawrence Block, Lisa Scottoline and others on how Poe changed their life and work.

• “Poe, a Life Cut Short” by Peter Ackroyd

This biography explores Poe’s literary accomplishments against the background of his mysterious and sometimes sordid life. It presents a picture of a troubled, but brilliant genius.

• “Nevermore: A Photobiography of Edgar Allan Poe” by Karen E. Lange

Published by National Geographic, this biography for children and teens contains many photos and illustrations as well as quotes, a chronology, and additional resources.

• The Poe Shadow: a novel by Matthew Pearl

Edgar Allan Poe’s death is shrouded in mystery. Here is one author’s take on what may have happened.

• The Beautiful Cigar Girl: Mary Rogers, Edgar Allan Poe, and the Invention of Murder by Daniel Stashower

This gripping true story of murder and media mania, including the controversial involvement of Edgar Allan Poe– is set in 1840s New York.