The Lair of the White Worm by Bram Stoker is a chilling tale of ancient evil lurking beneath the English countryside. Here's a quick summary:
- Adam Salton, a young man from Australia, inherits his great-uncle's estate, Lesser Hill, in Derbyshire.
- The area is steeped in history and whispers of a monstrous creature - a giant white worm.
- Adam soon encounters strange happenings: a seductive but unsettling neighbor, Arabella March, and a potential love interest, Lilla Watford, who's being targeted by a sinister force.
- It turns out, Arabella is more than human. She's a shapeshifting descendant of the white worm, draining the life force of young men.
- Adam, along with his uncle and a local archaeologist, Mr. Wood, uncover the truth and vow to destroy the monstrous entity.
- Their fight involves ancient lore, psychic battles, and a touch of the bizarre (think giant kites).
The story is a blend of Gothic horror and Victorian science fiction, with a dash of Stoker's trademark suspense. Be warned, some elements haven't aged well, but it remains an intriguing exploration of good versus evil with a monstrous twist
