Book excerpt: Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814 –1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic novels, one of the most infl uential ghost story writers of the nineteenth century. As an excellent example of a Victorian mystery, “Guy Deverell” has everything you need: an old countryside manor house with a set of colorful characters and ambiguous relationships between them. Treason, intrigues, conspiracy and a burning desire for revenge – what a wonderful way to start an exciting and unpredictable story!