Carmilla - Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu - Bog

Originally told as a series of short stories, this is a gothic masterpiece of a Victorian vampire that predates Bram Stoker's Dracula be nearly 25 years. The main character Laura is mercilessly pursued by the vampire Carmilla. This work tells the story of the friendship that the two become closest of friends even to the point that Carmilla tries to romantically advance on Laura. Although she desires companionship this is not what she wants and the truth of the vampire traits of Carmilla start to come forth. People start dying of strange maladies and other distinct evidences of vampirism start to abound as Carmilla continues to try to find companionship with Laura.