Title Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula Series --- Author John H. Watson - ed. Loren Estleman Cover Art Brian Forbes Publisher Penguin Books - 1979 First Printing --- Category Mystery / Horror Warnings None Main Characters Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson, Count Dracula Main Elements Vampires

Holmes among the undead...

A mysterious schooner runs aground in an English harbour. Its cargo, fifty boxes of earth; its only living passenger, a black dog. The captain's lifeless body is lashed to the wheel - completely drained of blood. Soon, a rash of bizarre nocturnal crimes terrifies London. Plainly, this is the work of Count Dracula - and a case for Sherlock Holmes.

Lovers of the Holmes stories will find their hero in a new role here, as the avenger in a realm where pale corpses rise from their graves and go forth by night to feast on blood.

Bram Stoker's novel is known to be filled with holes and inconsistencies. What was the Count up to when he wasn't feeding off innocent victims or fleeing the infamous Abraham Van Helsing? It turns out he was trying to outwit none other than Sherlock Holmes himself. As recounted by Dr. Watson, two of the most famous literary figures face-off in this mystery about murder, abduction and that which is worse than death.

Seeing as it was authored by the good doctor himself, the language is in keeping with the other Victorian tales of the famous detective's exploits. Though this is not the only novel in which both characters meet, the language of this one gives in an authentic tone, as if from the pen of Conan Doyle himself.

Holmes, Watson and Dracula are not the only characters that make an appearance. We meet up again with Toby the dog, and the entire vampire slaying group lead by Van Helsing. When Holmes and Van Helsing meet, we note that though they have great respect for each other's expertise, it doesn't mean they have to like each other.

As I understand it, Doyle being Stoker's contemporary, wrote a tribute to the great Dracula called the Adventure of the Sussex Vampire, where Holmes first encounters the undead, but unfortunately the Count does not even make a cameo there. Perhaps this is the book that would have been the result of both authors pitting their respective creations against each other.

This book is a fun read.