This book does contain some straightforward tales of fair maidens despoiled, which play to the vamperotic stereotype, such as Varney the Vampyre (Or The Feast of Blood). As expected, "The girl has swooned, and the vampyre is at its hideous repast." But in most of the collection's stories there is far more by way of characterisation. The scenarios are set up with a few more layers, such as the story of feisty Franziska for whom The Mysterious Stranger initially holds no fear, while her drippy cousin Franz is a source of constant ennui.