Dracula, the story.

I've read until chapter XVII now (out of XXVII) and i shall admit that the story kind of slowed down. For us, modern readers, who knows a lot about vampires, this part of the novel isn't the best one. It mainly tries to make Lucy's illness a mysterious event that nobody can understand except the famous doctor Van Helsing (but he keeps it for him and don't tell the reader). This part doesn't manage to increase the suspense. Indeed, we already know that this is a vampire's work, and therefore, aren't surprised.

However, it's pleaseant to see how the three connected stories link to to each other.
Fortunately, the story is likely going to be really interesting again, now that Dracula has made his first vampire (Lucy).