Carmilla

Set in the 19th century, this Gothic novella features a young woman who becomes the target of Carmilla, a female vampire with romantic inclinations. Revealed to be Mircalla, Countess Karnstein, the character embodies the era's complex sexual mores and religious fears. Unlike typical male vampires, Carmilla preys exclusively on women, forming emotional connections with only a select few. The story, first published serially, has inspired numerous film adaptations and is recognized for its influence on later vampire literature, notably Bram Stoker's Dracula.