The Dracula Dossier: A Novel of Suspense

by James Reese | Horror |
ISBN: 9780061233548 Global Overview for this book
Registered by CheriePie of Campbell, California USA on 8/22/2008
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2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by CheriePie from Campbell, California USA on Friday, August 22, 2008
Received through LibraryThing Early Reviewers Group.

The New York Times bestselling author returns with an intricately layered, richly detailed novel of literary suspense that imagines a dramatic clash between Jack the Ripper and the author of Dracula.

Stalled in his writing career and feeling overwhelmed by his charismatic, successful boss, the renowned actor Sir Henry Irving, Bram Stoker returns to London in the summer of 1888 determined to turn his life around.

Late one night, Stoker decides to take a stroll through the streets of Whitechapel, an impoverished district of London known for its many prostitutes as well as the citizenry crowding its dark alleys. Amid the shadows he spies a seemingly familiar figure, a man resembling a quack American “doctor” of his acquaintance. But before Stoker can be certain, the man disappears.

Little does the writer know that just a few steps away, the crime spree of the century has begun: a vicious killer has claimed his first victim, a local prostitute. And Stoker somehow becomes a prime suspect. To clear his name, Stoker enlists some of his illustrious friends. When they discover that the murder weapon is a Gurkha knife owned by Stoker and recently stolen from his home, there can be no doubt that the elusive American doctor–Francis Tumblety–is the very same man terrorizing and taunting London as Jack the Ripper.

Journal Entry 2 by CheriePie from Campbell, California USA on Sunday, October 5, 2008

Though this book may have fell a little bit outside my usual genre, I feel it will stay with me for awhile to come. In addition, I think I learned a thing or two about some significant figures in literary history to boot. ;)

The story takes place in the late 19th Century, during the Victorian Era in England, and is written in the form of journal entries and letters written by the late Bram Stoker, author of Dracula and a few other novels that never really garnered much recognition. Stoker tells the story of his employ with the actor Henry Irving, and his relationships with many other famous people of that time.

As the letters and journal entries which make up this Dossier indicate, it was Thomas Henry Hall Caine who first introduced Stoker to Dr. Francis Tumblety—the American doctor who later become known as Jack the Ripper. And it is to these relations that much of this Dossier relates. Upon meeting Tumblety, Stoker realizes that something is not right with the man, a fact later confirmed by Caine. And with the help of Lady Jane Wilde, mother to author Oscar Wilde, the three dub themselves the Children of Light and set out to catch Tumblety in the act and prove to the men of Scotland Yard who is committing all these gruesome murders.

Though one might think this a paranormal book because of the title, that isn't really the case. Though there is much about "Jack the Ripper" that defies explanation, this novel is not a vampire novel, as a quick look at the title might lead one to believe. Instead, it's the notes, journal, and letters of the famed Dracula author, and at various points in the narrative, footnotes are given that point out similarities between the events taking place in Stoker's life at that time and characters and events in Dracula.

Overall, a very interesting read, well suited to literary fans, fans of historical, mystery, and thriller genres, maybe even horror fans too due to the violent and graphic nature of the crimes committed by the Ripper and described herein. (Though the author does go into explicit descriptions about some of the mutilated bodies, I found much of it to be somewhat clinical in nature so I didn't quite "lose my lunch" over it so to speak. LOL)

Journal Entry 3 by CheriePie at Santa Rosa, California USA on Sunday, January 4, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (1/5/2009 UTC) at Santa Rosa, California USA

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Sending to Kiri, who won in October's Halloween Swap. Mailed 1/5/09 via Media Mail.

Journal Entry 4 by Kiri from Santa Rosa, California USA on Sunday, January 25, 2009
TBR (and as yet unread) but now on Reserve 6 Feb 09 for CdnBlueRose in the IYT VBB

Journal Entry 5 by Kiri at BookObsessed.com, A book trading site -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, August 1, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (8/3/2009 UTC) at BookObsessed.com, A book trading site -- Controlled Releases

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Sent to CdnBluRose

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