No, 19th century literature is a bad start for Gothic if you're wanting to set it in a contemporary society. Depending on length of composition, you're far better off reading modern horror such as John Connolly's "Nocturnes" or Stephen King's collection of stories, which explore the fears of the modern context. Use the standard bread and butter of good creative writing such as starting in the middle, showing//telling, conflict in values, etc... and try to set it in a climate that resonates of a social or political issue. Make sure you're informed though, or otherwise it'll look bad. Really, really bad.
Like the standard of english at OUR school. Urgh.
