Description

The old vampire legend is brought up to date and we are held
from beginning to end in a state of frightful suspense. No one
who has read the book will fail to remember the picture of
Dracula climbing up the front of the castle in Transylvania
or the scene in the tomb when a stake is driven through the
heart of the vampire who has taken possession of Lucy’s form.
The ineffable horror of the living characters particularly of
the Dutch doctor, Van Helsing. The matter-of-fact style of the
narrative, which is compiled of letters, diaries and journals
and the mention of such familiar places as Whitby and
Hampstead, help to enhance the illusion.
The motive of terror has been often mingled with the other
motives in the novel as well as in the short tale. In un-winding
the complicated thread of the modern detective story, which
follows the design originated by Godwin and perfected by
Poe, we are frequently kept our task of the force of terror as
well as of curiosity.