Historical · Horror
The Historian
A teenage girl finds an old book and a bundle of letters in her father's library, and learns he has been hunting Dracula's tomb for decades. She follows his trail across Europe and into the past.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2005
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like scholarly, atmospheric chase stories through old libraries and ruined monasteries.
Skip this if you want constant scares; the book prefers slow dread and travel description.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Historian
- What is The Historian about?
- A teenage girl finds an old book and a bundle of letters in her father's library, and learns he has been hunting Dracula's tomb for decades. She follows his trail across Europe and into the past.
- Who should read The Historian?
- Read it if you like scholarly, atmospheric chase stories through old libraries and ruined monasteries. Skip it if you want constant scares; the book prefers slow dread and travel description.
- How long and how fast is The Historian?
- It is a slow-paced, long read, first published in 2005.
- Does The Historian have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow The Historian for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Historian; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Historian?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Dracula, The Shadow of the Wind, The Name of the Rose.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Historian
-
Dracula The original that this novel is built from, told also through letters, diaries and documents.
-
The Shadow of the Wind Another bookish mystery that follows old documents and secrets through shadowy historic cities.
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The Name of the Rose
Equally scholarly and steeped in the Middle Ages, with a murder mystery at the centre.
Historical
