So, here’s the scoop: 'Dracula's Guest' is actually the original first chapter of 'Dracula' that Stoker's publisher asked him to cut (probably for length). It follows Jonathan Harker, the same lawyer from the novel, but here he's still in Germany, not yet at Dracula's castle. He's on a business trip and has a free day in Munich. Against his hotelier's strong advice, he decides to go for a carriage ride into the countryside to find a specific, supposedly cursed village.

The Story

It's Walpurgis Night, a kind of German Halloween when evil spirits are unleashed. Harker's driver gets more and more scared the closer they get. He refuses to go all the way, dropping Harker off as a storm brews. Undeterred, Harker explores the creepy, abandoned village and finds a lonely cemetery. He locates the tomb he was curious about—one belonging to a noblewoman said to be a vampire. Then, a freak blizzard hits, knocking him unconscious. He's saved by a mysterious figure, only to wake up in a hospital with a wolf's head on his pillow and a telegram from Count Dracula himself, asking after his health. The story implies this whole harrowing ordeal was a warning—or a greeting—from the Count all along.

Why You Should Read It

This story is a masterclass in mood. Without a single vampire appearing on the page, Stoker makes a howling storm and an empty village feel deeply threatening. You get to see Harker before the real horror begins—he's still a bit arrogant, ignoring local folklore as silly superstition. His character flaw (that very English stubbornness) directly leads him into danger. It’s a brilliant, self-contained example of Gothic atmosphere. Reading it feels like uncovering a secret prologue to a story you know and love. It adds a layer of fate to Harker's later ordeal; his trip was doomed from this first wrong turn.

Final Verdict

Perfect for classic horror fans who want a quick, satisfying read, or for anyone who loved 'Dracula' and wants a little more from that world. It’s also great if you enjoy stories where the setting itself is the monster. You can read it in one sitting, but the chilly, eerie feeling it creates will stick with you. Think of it as the perfect, spooky appetizer to the main feast of 'Dracula,' or as a stellar standalone ghost story.