History Literature / SalemsLot

* OurVampiresAreDifferent: They're actually quite similar to Barm Stoker's version of vampires, as [[WordOfGod Stephen King acknowledges]] in one version of the book. They also differ in a few ways, and TheDarkTower goes on to explain the vampires in greater detail.

* TheBully: Richie Boddin.

* TownWithADarkSecret

'''Salem's Lot'' is a 1975 horror novel written by StephenKing. It was King's second published novel, following ''{{Carrie}}''.

* CrazyJealousGuy: Susan's ex.

** [[spoiler:Then he ends in the {{Dark Tower}}'s world.]]

* SlidingScaleOfVampireFriendliness: Death from feeding causes conversion, morality shifts in converts, and a voracious appetite makes these vampires definitely hostile.

* ThoseTwoGuys: The cops earlier in the story.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: [[spoiler:Father Callahan's]] story ends right after he's [[spoiler:been pwned by Barlow, and we don't hear from him again.]] His story was later told in [[spoiler:[[TheDarkTower/WolvesOfTheCalla Wolves of the Calla]].]]

* OurVampiresAreDifferent: They're pretty much classic vampires.

* InNameOnly: This has little similarity to the novel described above. It takes place over a century earlier, the town itself is unrecognizable, and the novel is a gothic horror/vampire pastiche in the style of ''{{Literature/Dracula}}'' while the prequel is a CosmicHorrorStory and pastiche of [[HPLovecraft H.P. Lovecraft]]. Vampires ''do'' appear, but have little in common with the depictions in the novel.

* OurVampiresAreDifferent: The vampires (or nosferatu) in this story are never seen drinking blood, and serve primarily as zombie-like cultists. Also, the off-screen cameo of a Star Vampire.

* ShoutOut: Mainly to other works of the CthulhuMythos. Specifically, repeated complaints by the main characters about "[[TheRatsInTheWalls the rats in the walls]]" of the mansion and the [[Literature/TheDunwichHorror whip-poor-wills]] that have taken to nesting on the building. The latter may be a ContinuityNod, alongside the presence of ''De Vermis Mysteriis'', but the former probably isn't [[spoiler:since it isn't ''actually'' rats, but the undead]].

* FridgeLogic: How did Barlow enter Mark's family's home without an invitation first?
** FridgeBrilliance: We later learn [[spoiler:in the TheDarkTower that Barlow really is [[TimeAbyss far older than Christianity itself]], so it's probably safe to assume that being so powerful he was able to ignore this rule.]]

* InNameOnly: This has little similarity to the novel described above. It takes place over a century earlier, the town itself is unrecognizable, and the novel is a gothic horror/vampire pastiche in the style of ''Literature/Dracula'' while the prequel is a CosmicHorrorStory and pastiche of [[HPLovecraft H.P. Lovecraft]]. Vampires ''do'' appear, but have little in common with the depictions in the novel.

** This version's portrayal is [[spoiler:actually what TypeOneVampires look like in TheDarkTower. It's a fan theory that Barlow is the Progenitor which may explain why he has a human disguise]].

** This version's portrayal is [[spoiler:actually what TypeOneVampires look like in TheDarkTower. It's a [[WMG fan theory]] that Barlow is the Progenitor which may explain why he has a human disguise]].

'''Salem's Lot'' is a 1975 horror novel written by StephenKing. It is King's second published novel.

* ScrapbookStory: Not the whole thing, but it does begin and end with newspaper accounts of the strange goings-on in the Lot.

The plot focuses on the town of Jerusalem's Lot, which is slowly taken over by vampires, and a small band of survivors, including protagonist Ben Mears, decide to fight back.

The eponymous town is revisited in the short stories ''Jerusalem's Lot'' and ''One for the Road''. (The former acts as a prequel to the novel, the latter is set three years after the events of the novel.) These stories are included in ''NightShift'', and also in the illustrated edition of '''Salem's Lot''. Said illustrated edition was released in 2005, and also contains several deleted and alternate scenes.

* OurVampiresAreDifferent: The vampires (or nosferatu) in this story are never seen drinking blood, and serve primarily as zombie-like cultists.

* CruelTwistEnding: [[spoiler:Our heroes have successfully fought back the undead and prevented the summoning of an EldritchAbomination, at [[HeroicSacrifice great personal loss]]. Charles Boone is left with no choice but to commit suicide to prevent his accursed family line, of whom he is the last, from ever reviving the cult and trying to resummon the Worm. He does so... but his estate winds up in the hands of an [[UnexpectedInheritance unknown bastard relative]] who receives Charles's diary but dismisses it as superstitious nonsense.]]

* OuterLimitsTwist: [[spoiler:Our heroes have successfully fought back the undead and prevented the summoning of an EldritchAbomination, at [[HeroicSacrifice great personal loss]]. Charles Boone is left with no choice but to commit suicide to prevent his accursed family line, of whom he is the last, from ever reviving the cult and trying to resummon the Worm. He does so... but his estate winds up in the hands of an [[UnexpectedInheritance unknown bastard relative]] who receives Charles's diary but dismisses it as superstitious nonsense.]]
* SequelHook: The OuterLimitsTwist ending certainly qualifies, but despite the fact that there actually are two sequels to this story, it's never really utilized. Both '''Salem's Lot'' and "One for the Road" go in very different directions with the concept.

* ShoutOut: Mainly to other works of the CthulhuMythos. Specifically, repeated complaints by the main characters about "[[TheRatsInTheWalls the rats in the walls]]" of the mansion and the [[TheDunwichHorror whip-poor-wills]] that have taken to nesting on the building. The latter may be a ContinuityNod, alongside the presence of ''De Vermis Mysteriis'', but the former probably isn't [[spoiler:since it isn't ''actually'' rats, but the undead]].

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: The Roy's baby, what happened to it after the Doctor "traded" him for his beemer?

* OurVampiresAreDifferent