Are 'without a note of feeling' &'without a hint/sign of horror' interchangeable?
Somehow he tells these stories without a note of horror.

Do you use 'without a hint/sign of feeling' as in "Somehow he tells these stories without a hint/sign of horror." instead of 'a note of horror' in the top sentence?

Question

Are 'without a note of feeling' &'without a hint/sign of horror' interchangeable?
Somehow he tells these stories without a note of horror.

Do you use 'without a hint/sign of feeling' as in "Somehow he tells these stories without a hint/sign of horror." instead of 'a note of horror' in the top sentence?

Answer

Amy,
You have the most interesting questions.

All these words are interchangeable. "Hint/sign/note" - The word note indicates that the listener is aware of the "music" of the speaker.  i.e. 
the phrase: "I detected a note of sarcasm," means also "I could hear a hint of sarcasm, or a sign of sarcasm in the speakers tone."

So for your sentence, all three of those words would work well.