The Blood Countess by Andrei Codrescu

The Blood Countess by Andrei Codrescu.  Given the fact that this book is very exotic, sexual, and vivid, you won't believe some of the things this woman supposedly did, I couldn't put it down.  Countess Elizabeth Bathory.  Heiress to millions in Hungary, she was a cruel, satanic, witch like being, who murdered thousands of young virgins and bathed in their blood because she believed that this was the secret to keeping a youthful appearance.  She was cruel and torturous to all of her servants, and just about anyone she came in contact with.  She was eventually found out and was put on trial for her crimes by her own family.  Instead of being put in prison, she was put in a dungeon- like room in her own castle to live out the rest of her life alone.  The book also tells the story of one her modern day ancestors, Blake Bathory, who is an immigrant journalist in America, and is called back to Hungary to try and take back his lands and money.  In essence, two Bathory stories intertwined together.  Read it!