WWW.SHROUDEATER.COM - Beyond the Highgate Vampire

Much has been written about the strange happenings in and around Highgate Cemetery. Happenings that are said to have taken place in the late sixties, early seventies of the last Century. Much of the material that has been published about these happenings is based on what we consider to be a work of fiction. A novel titled "The Highgate Vampire", written by a man of many faces. A man, who after being involved in an occult society in his younger days, now purports to be the bishop of his own small sectarian church. His wild accounts about the supposed happenings in Highgate are quite entertaining, just as long as we take them for what they are: an amusing piece of horror fiction. The author, however, insists that the fantastic happenings in his novel are completely based on true events. He also claims to have destroyed an undead vampire corpse. And, by sticking to this sensational story, he has managed to get a lot of press coverage (read: free advertisement for his books, cassettes and other merchandise) for a couple of decades. Quite an accomplishment.

Although we can and do appreciate a good vampire story, we should never accept fantastic tales being presented as "the truth". We feel that the subject of vampires should be treated seriously. And that is why we were delighted about the publication of another, less sensational, more factual, account of the Highgate happenings.

David Farrant is the President of the British Psychic and Occult Society. He has been investigating the phenomena in Highgate Cemetery from the very beginning. He has written and published a short but interesting book called "Beyond the Highgate Vampire" in which he gives us his own views and findings on the case. I was pleased to find that, unlike "the other book", David Farrant's account of the happenings in and around Highgate Cemetery is not based on fantasy, but on facts.

Our bishop/novelist, whose Highgate yarn seems loosely based on elements borrowed from Bram Stoker's "Dracula" and various horror films, insists that his preposterous tales are Gospel truth (and may God have mercy on us if we dare question his words). Fortunately, David Farrant is more serious and intelligent in his approach to the Highgate happenings. Whereas our "bishop" demands us to believe that he, and he alone, has all the answers, David Farrant is simply giving us the facts, offering no easy explanations, and obviously expecting us to draw our own conclusions. Which, of course, is the way it should be...

"Beyond the Highgate Vampire" has been reprinted a number of times. New photographs have been added, and we think that the book is a "must" for everyone who has a serious interest in the Highgate case.

David Farrant:
"Beyond the Highgate Vampire"
B.P.O.S., London 1997
(3rd revised edition)
(ISBN 0-9517867-2-5)

Last time I looked, the book could be ordered through Amazon UK. But in case there are any problems, you can also get it straight from the author through the following address: