A fascinating investigation of what strikes fear in an immortal’s heart

Vampires exist. And in every culture with a legend about bloodsuckers that rise from the grave to prey upon the living, there are rules and rituals for how to destroy them. How to Kill a Vampire is the first book to focus specifically on all known ways to prevent vampirism, protect oneself against attacks, and ultimately how to destroy the undead, as documented in folklore as well as horror film, TV, and books.

Covering everything from obscure legends to contemporary blockbusters, Ladouceur’s unique approach to vampires traces the evolution of how to kill the fictional creatures and celebrates the most important slayers.

In exploring how and why we create these monsters and the increasingly complex ways in which we destroy them, the book not only serves as a handy guide to the history and modern role of the vampire, it reveals much about the changing nature of human fears.

Liisa Ladouceur