Carmilla

Haunted by a strange, ghostly experience from her youth and lonely in her isolated castle, Laura longs for a companion. Suddenly, her wishes are answered.
Through a curious series of events, a beautiful young stranger named Carmilla becomes a ward at Laura's family home. The girl is odd, but friendly, and Laura welcomes her with open arms. However, Carmilla is hiding a dark secret-one that could cost Laura everything.
All around them, paranoia and fear sweep the countryside as villagers fall victim to a mysterious illness. Plagued by fever, declining health, and horrifying visions, Laura soon realizes that the villagers' symptoms match her own. Somehow Carmilla is at fault, but the truth is more sinister than Laura ever could have imagined.

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (1814-1873) was an influential Irish author known for his significant contributions to Gothic and supernatural fiction. Born in Dublin, Le Fanu grew up in a culturally rich environment that deeply influenced his writing. His work is renowned for its exploration of the eerie and the supernatural, often drawing on Irish folklore and Victorian Gothic elements. Le Fanu's most notable works include "The House by the Churchyard" and "Carmilla," the latter being one of the earliest and most influential vampire stories in literature. His stories frequently feature ghostly apparitions, haunted settings, and psychological suspense, reflecting his mastery in creating atmospheres of dread and intrigue. As a writer of the Victorian era, Le Fanu's works were widely read and appreciated for their skillful blend of horror and mystery. His narrative style, characterized by its atmospheric detail and complex characters, has left a lasting impact on the genre of Gothic fiction. Although not as well-known today as some of his contemporaries, Le Fanu's stories remain influential and are celebrated for their contributions to the supernatural and horror genres.