Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814-1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic tales and mystery novels. He was the leading ghost-story writer of the 19th century and was central to the development of the genre in the Victorian era.

"Carmilla" is Le Fanu's famous classic vampire story which has been filmed numerous times including: Vampyre (1932), Blood and Roses (1960), Crypt of Horror (1964), The Vampire Lovers (1970) and Carmilla (1999). It tells the story of a strange and mysterious guest who arrives unexpectedly to stay at a castle and takes a great liking to the daughter of the house. Her attraction soon takes on a sinister aspect... and the similarity to the experience of a neighbouring family, whose girl died recently in mysterious circumstances becomes increasingly alarming...