"The Beetle" is a novel written by Richard Marsh, first published in 1897. It's a work of Victorian horror fiction that has been considered one of the classics of its genre. The story revolves around a mysterious and malevolent creature, the titular Beetle, who possesses supernatural powers and wreaks havoc upon the lives of several characters in London. The novel explores themes of obsession, power, and the supernatural, and it's often compared to Bram Stoker's "Dracula" due to its influence and popularity during the same period.