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Bram Stoker, renowned for his impact on horror literature and vampire mythology, has a well-documented legacy. However, even celebrated authors can have works that fade into obscurity. For Stoker, one such short story was published and then lost for more than a century, only to be rediscovered recently.
As reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Brian Cleary, a Dublin-based writer, took a break from his job after undergoing cochlear implant surgery to treat his hearing impairment. During this time, he visited the National Library of Ireland to explore the writings of Stoker, one of his favorite authors. (Stoker was also of Irish origin.)
In 2023, while examining old newspaper archives, Cleary stumbled upon a reference to “Gibbet Hill,” a short story by Stoker, in an 1891 issue of The Daily Mail. Despite being an avid Stoker fan who believed he knew most of the author’s works, Cleary was unfamiliar with this title. Further investigation revealed the story, which was originally published in December 1890 but had never been reprinted since.
“I was sitting in the library, utterly astonished, realizing I might have discovered a forgotten ghost story by Stoker, particularly one written during the period he was crafting Dracula, with traces of Dracula woven into it,” Cleary shared with AFP. “I stared at the screen, wondering if I was the only person alive who had ever read it. Then I thought, what should I do with this discovery?”
The next logical move was to consult a Stoker expert. Cleary contacted Paul Murray, a biographer of Stoker, who verified that Cleary had uncovered something significant—a story likely unread since its initial publication in 1890, seven years before Dracula was published. Murray suggested that Stoker was likely brainstorming Dracula during this period.
“Gibbet Hill” is a tale filled with tension, featuring three murderers hanged on makeshift gallows as a grim warning to others. A traveler stumbles upon this eerie sight and meets three children who may not be as innocent as they seem. Stoker infused the story with disturbing imagery (like squirming worms) and a mood reminiscent of his later work in Dracula.
Unsurprisingly, a “new” Stoker story was deemed worthy of broader publication. “Gibbet Hill” will be released in print on November 18, accompanied by illustrations by Irish artist Paul McKinley. The book, published by the Rotunda Foundation, will support research into infant hearing loss, a cause close to Stoker’s heart, as his mother was a champion for the hearing-impaired.
