Dracula is a landmark Gothic horror novel by Bram Stoker that established Count Dracula as one of literature’s most enduring supernatural figures. Told through diaries, letters, newspaper reports, and other documents, the novel follows a group of characters as they confront a terrifying vampire and attempt to stop his growing influence.

The story begins when Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to assist Count Dracula with a real-estate transaction. At Dracula’s isolated castle, Harker discovers that his host is not an ordinary man and realizes that he is effectively a prisoner. Dracula eventually travels to England, where a series of disturbing events begins to unfold.

Lucy Westenra becomes mysteriously ill after strange encounters, and her condition rapidly deteriorates. Her friends and admirers seek the help of Professor Abraham Van Helsing, who recognizes that a supernatural force is responsible. After Lucy’s transformation and death, Van Helsing joins Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Dr. John Seward, Arthur Holmwood, and Quincey Morris in a determined effort to find and destroy Dracula.

The group follows Dracula’s movements while confronting fear, secrecy, violence, and the limits of scientific knowledge. Mina becomes especially important to the investigation because of her intelligence, courage, and ability to organize information.

Stoker combines Gothic atmosphere, suspense, horror, romance, and psychological tension while exploring themes of good and evil, sexuality, fear, invasion, faith, and modernity.