At once glamorous and loathsome, vampires are among the most memorable figures in the literature and film of the horror genre. These undead beings, possessed of supernatural powers of metamorphosis and hypnotism, stalk the night for the blood of the living. They have fascinated and terrified generations of writers and readers. Here are 18 bone-chilling tales of these bloodsucking creatures of the night, written by some of the most distinguished writers of the genre. From premier writers including Anne Rice and Bram Stoker, the stories in this collection represent some of the finest horror writing spanning the past two centuries. Here are gothic melodramas set in Russia and Germany, as well as more modern twists on the vampire legend that take place in contemporary England and the United States. These are tales of decadence, lust, and loathing; they capture the dark side of the human psyche, dead and undead. Making few concessions to the squeamish, the tales in this collection will keep readers awake at night. Stories include: • "Dracula's Guest" by Bram Stoker • "Phantoms" by Ivan Turgenev • "The Lovely Lady" by D.H. Lawrence • "The Master of Rampling Gate" by Anne Rice • "The Undead" by Robert Bloch Each of these finely-crafted tales is guaranteed to leave readers with goosebumps. A foreward from the late actor Peter Cushing, who starred in numerous vampire and horror films, is a fitting introduction to this collection of horrifying and captivating tales. Prepare to be terrified as you enjoy some of the best vampire stories ever written ... if you dare.