In a twist worthy of becoming a Gothic novel itself, a bibliophile’s serendipitous stroll through the National Library of Ireland’s archives unearthed a spine-tingling treasure: a long-lost short story written by Bram Stoker, the mastermind behind Dracula. This tale had been hidden in the shadows for over 130 years, waiting for its moment to rise from its literary grave. Plucked from the pages of a forgotten manuscript, this discovery has returned a missing chapter to Stoker’s legacy. Keep reading to learn more about Bram Stoker’s story and the man who stumbled upon this missing bookish treasure.
The Story of Brian Cleary, the Literary Explorer
An Irish clinical pharmacist, Brian Cleary, can be described as an amateur historian and mega-fan of Gothic horror. One day in October 2023, Brian was retraining his hearing after a recent cochlear implant surgery by attending #CultureNight at the National Library’s Reading Room, where he signed up for another routine ramble through the library’s archives to research a particular interest he had — the life and works of Bram Stoker. This leisurely literary stroll led Brian to uncover his first clue: an advertisement in the Dublin Daily Express, dated 1891, referencing a previously published story by Stoker. Brian dutifully followed the breadcrumbs to find the issue containing Stoker’s long-lost story, as if Gibbet Hill was just waiting for a curious soul like Brian to come along and find it.
Gibbet Hill by Bram Stoker
Gibbet Hill is a macabre tale with suspense thick as fog as the narrator is drawn into a haunting atmosphere of mystery and the supernatural. The day begins with a peaceful hike in Surrey that quickly transforms into a chilling experience, culminating in a surreal and disturbing confrontation atop Gibbet Hill. It was originally published in the Dublin edition of the Supplement to the Daily Express on December 17, 1890 — only to be forgotten over time. Gibbet Hill has now been republished in a new book with illustrations by Irish artist Paul McKinley.
Buried No More
This discovery has generated excitement among literary scholars and fans of Bram Stoker. Thank you, Brian Cleary, for your bookish diligence. Your discovery has made Gothic literature fresh and new again!
Discover 5 more reads by Bram Stoker that are not Dracula — just click here.
Browse our bookshelf for more spine-chilling horror novels that are not for the faint of heart.
