In the early 1800s a group of wealthy friends infamously spent a summer together in Geneva that led to a writing contest of sorts. Unequivocally, Mary Shelley won this contest with [b:Frankenstein: The 1818 Text|35031085|Frankenstein The 1818 Text|Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498841231l/35031085._SY75_.jpg|4836639], one of the most influential horror and sci-fi novels of all time. This is more-or-less the first legacy that overshadows John William Polidori’s [b:The Vampyre; A Tale|472966|The Vampyre; A Tale|John William Polidori|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347792075l/472966._SX50_.jpg|461235]. The second and third would be the future and more influential vampire stories of [b:Carmilla|48037|Carmilla|J. Sheridan Le Fanu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386923594l/48037._SY75_.jpg|47015] and [b:Dracula|17245|Dracula|Bram Stoker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387151694l/17245._SY75_.jpg|3165724].

Admittedly, the original Vampyre feels underdeveloped as a story compared to Frankenstein, and underdeveloped as a character compared to Carmilla or Dracula. That said, there are many of the hallmarks of the deadly and captivating creature that would serve as the groundwork for an entire vein of horror lore. The Vampyre is introduced as a suave, seductive “gentleman” who primarily feasts on and sullies women—a lady killer if you will. Overall if you want an alright, short, old-school horror read this one is pretty alright.