“Bram Stoker’s Dracula was killed by a bowie knife? And by a Texan? No way! It was done by a stake in his heart – right?”
” Wrong!”
In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, first published in 1897, he is indeed killed by a Texan welding a bowie knife. Obviously, I had not read the book even though I have a copy of it along with Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein that I did read recently.
I subscribe to print and digital versions of Texas Monthly, a magazine that covers all things Texas – politics, art, dance halls, food, music, tourist spots, trends, rodeos, history, tequila, glamour and grit. The magazine upholds the pride of a currently red state with a weird blue capitol of Austin without being pompous while poking fun of a state that was once a country and has threatened to secede in recent years.
In the October 2025 issue the first installment of The Bowie Knife That Killed Dracula, a novel by William Broyles and Stephen Harrigan, was published. It is described this way.
“The character who kills Dracula at the end of Bram Stoker’s classic novel is Quincey Morris, a Texan who does the job with a bowie knife. Our serialized novel tells his story – and that of his famous blade.”
I anticipate each new chapter that comes out every Saturday and I have started reading Bram Stoker’s novel. It is rather like reading parallel novels. Here is a link to the first installment.
Now Texans have something else to brag about! And the bowie knife has a worthy history of its own.
THE COASTAL CRONE 
I had not heard about the Bowie knife! I haven’t read the original Dracula. I do know, however, that Dracula’s castle was patterned after one that the Bram Stoker saw in Scotland (Slains Castle in Aberdeenshire).
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A Bowie knife is associated with Jim Bowie of the Alamo fame – that is a story in itself. I had read something about a castle in Scotland and will have to check it out. Thanks for the tip. Stay safe, Marie! I did not know Minnesotans were so tough but I guess they have to be to live in all that cold.
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Apparently, it’s not good to poke a hibernating MN bear….
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We used to subscribe to Texas Monthly when we lived in Texas (over 40 years ago.) We really remember the independence vibe of Texas. What goes around comes around as our Province, Alberta, is busy collecting enough signatures to force a referendum to determine whether we will leave Canada.
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Good luck on the referendum. There is not much talk of seceding since we are such a red state. I disagree with so many changes in Texas but I lived here too long to leave.
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Good one, Jo. You know I read Bram Stoker’s Dracula many years ago and never gave it a thought. Thanks for the history lesson
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I thought it was a joke until I did some research and then found the scene in the book.
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😊
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Always a pleasure to learn something new both sides of the pond xx ❤ I hope this finds you well Jo, and that you enjoy your weekend xx
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Thanks for visiting across the pond! We still need each other. All ok here.
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I subscribe to the print and digital editions of Texas Monthly as well, and have intended to take a look at that series. Now I will! Thanks for highlighting it. (Do you remember the Texas Monthly cover that had Willie and Kinky as the couple from American Gothic? I howled at that one.)
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Yes, I do. What a pair they made! The Bum Steer awards in January are fun too. The covers remind me a bit of the covers of The New Yorker<. One needs a sense of humor to survive. Take care!
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I had no idea! I honestly thought your post’s title was a joke until I read the post. Just goes to show, I can always learn something new!
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I thought it was a joke too, Ann! There is so much misinformation out there that I even doubt the news. Thanks for stopping by! I hope all is well with you and that you are focusing on life.
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Wow, I had no idea that was how Dracula met his end. That would make a good trivia question for those of us who don’t live in Texas.
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Yes, it would make a good game question. I dare say not many in Texas know that! Too many movies where it was done with a stake. Husband read it years ago and remembered it being done with a stake;
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I’m off to my library for a copy of Dracula. I read it too many years ago to count, now I will re-read it with new eyes. Cheers Virginia
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I don’t know how i missed reading it (guess I was afraid of vampires!) but I am enjoying it now@ Cheers and hugs, Virginia!
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I thought, if I am going down this macabre road I might as well add Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. I won’t read them on a dark, rainy night, alone, with a candle, when the power goes off. XXXX Virginia
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The two books seem to go together with their Gothic and Romantic themes. The edition we have contains them both. Cheers!
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