Murder in the Graveyard Awaits

By Shari Randall AKA Meri Allen

It’s early October­ — the leaves are starting to mellow, the wind is crisp, and some people have already decorated their houses for Halloween.

 Halloween has morphed into a much bigger holiday than it was years ago when the celebration consisted of homemade costumes, pillowcases filled with candy extorted from neighbors, and a viewing of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

 

Now you can get your child a light up T-Rex costume from Pottery Barn for $79 (and free shipping), a personalized velvet pumpkin-shaped treat basket for $36, or a 12 Ft. tall giant plastic lawn skeleton from the garden center for $229.

 

Times have changed, but one thing hasn’t. Everyone loves a good spooky story, and reading is cheap. If the book’s action is set in a graveyard, all the better.

 

That’s why I was thrilled to take part in the latest Destination Murders anthology Murder in the Graveyard. Not only was it a chance to stretch my writing muscles (writing to a theme is always a fun challenge) but it was also a chance to bring back some of my favorite characters from my Meri Allen Ice Cream Shop Mystery series: the Fairweather sisters. And writing a murder scene set in a graveyard? Priceless.

 

Another reason I enjoyed taking part? A fabulous line up of cozy mystery authors contributed to the anthology, serving up, as the publisher says, stories “perfect for curling up anytime you’re craving bite-sized mysteries with big personality.” Each of the authors — Leslie Budewitz, Karen Cantwell, Misha Crews, Eleanor Cawood Jones, Tina Kashian, Daphne Silver, Shawn Reilly Simmons, Rosalie Spielman, and Cathy Wiley — wrote their story starring the main character of their series. If you like their characters, more mystery and adventure awaits you in those books.

 

Murder in the Graveyard is available now. Enjoy it along with those fun-sized candy bars you stashed away on the shelf behind the canned vegetables.

 

What’s your favorite scary story or book? What’s your favorite Halloween treat?

 

Meri Allen is the pen name of Shari Randall, author of not only the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries, but also the Agatha Award-winning Lobster Shack mystery series. She loves a good spooky story, and her favorite Halloween candy is Smarties and Milky Way bars.

Count Dracula, the legendary Vampire by Teresa Inge

As October approaches, a month often associated with Halloween, numerous horror films begin to air on television. Iconic characters such as Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Michael Myers signal the onset of the season dedicated to suspense and fright. In my childhood, I enjoyed classic movies like Frankenstein, works by Alfred Hitchcock, and stories featuring Count Dracula. My siblings and I often repeated lines such as “I want to suck your blood,” showing how much Dracula influenced us.

Dracula is one of the most enduring and iconic creatures in gothic literature and popular culture. Originating from Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, this vampire has become synonymous with the myths and legends of the undead, shaping the portrayal of vampires in literature, film, and media for over a century.

Origins of the Novel

Dracula tells the story of Count Dracula, a centuries-old vampire from Transylvania who travels to England in search of new blood, spreading his undead curse. The novel is presented through a series of diary entries, letters, and newspaper articles, chronicling the efforts of Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Dr. Van Helsing, and others as they attempt to stop Dracula’s reign of terror.

Bram Stoker’s creation was inspired by Eastern European folklore and historical figures such as Vlad the Impaler, a 15th-century Romanian prince known for his brutal methods of punishment.  

Characteristics of Dracula

Dracula is often depicted as a charismatic yet terrifying figure. He possesses supernatural abilities including immortality, shapeshifting into a bat or wolf, control over animals, and the power to mesmerize his victims. Traditionally, vampires like Dracula cannot endure sunlight, must drink blood to survive, and are vulnerable to garlic, holy symbols, and stakes through the heart.

Dracula in Popular Culture

Since the publication of Stoker’s novel, Dracula has been adapted into countless films, television shows, and theatrical productions. Throughout my childhood, I watched the 1931 Universal Pictures film starring Bela Lugosi who popularized the image of Dracula with his slicked-back hair, a high-collared cape, and an Eastern European accent.

From Hammer Films featuring Christopher Lee as Dracula in the mid-20th century to more recent adaptations such as the TV series Dracula and the movie Hotel Transylvania, the character continues to appear in popular culture.

Dracula’s Legacy

Dracula’s impact extends beyond entertainment; he has become a cultural symbol representing fear, eternal life, and the struggle between good and evil. The novel also sparked interest in vampire lore and gothic fiction as literary genres.

As Halloween approaches in the next few weeks, viewers will remain drawn to Dracula for its enduring vampire legend. Will you be watching?