La Poupée Sanglante

by Gaston Leroux

"La Poupée Sanglante" by Gaston Leroux is a fantastical novel published in 1923. Christine, daughter of a clockmaker, possesses an automaton named Gabriel and is engaged to scientist Jacques Cotentin. Her neighbor, the physically disfigured bookbinder and poet Bénédict Masson, observes a mysterious young man of perfect appearance visiting her. One night, he overhears Christine pleading with her father not to kill "him." Though inspired by Hoffmann's tales and filled with strange occurrences, the story's conclusion offers rational explanations for the seemingly supernatural events.