The Vampire Hunter's Handbook: A Concise Vampirological Guide is a 1997 book by Sean Manchester, published by Gothic Press, presented as a general guide to vampire lore and belief, written from a perspective treating vampires as a genuine phenomenon rather than fiction.
Overview
Manchester frames the book as a survey of vampire lore and mythology drawing on both classical and more recent sources, distinct from fictional treatments such as Bram Stoker's Dracula. Reviewers have noted, however, that a substantial portion of the book's content is devoted not to general vampirological guidance but to Manchester's ongoing public dispute with David Farrant and other figures connected to the Highgate Vampire case, including references to David Farrant, John Pope, and other individuals Manchester describes as "vampiroid" adversaries.
Reception
The book received a mixed response. Some reviewers praised Manchester's evident familiarity with historical vampire lore and recommended it to readers interested in either vampirism or Manchester himself. Others were more critical, noting that despite its "handbook" framing suggesting practical guidance, the book offers comparatively little of that nature, with a large proportion of its content instead devoted to Manchester's continuing feud with Farrant.