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The Phantom of the Opera is a gothic novel, combining romance, horror, mystery and tragedy, which is, according to the author, based on a true story.

Leroux's original 1910 novel is set in late 19th-century Paris at the Opéra Garnier, which was built between 1857 and 1874. During construction it became necessary to pump underground water from the foundation pit of the building, creating a huge subterranean river. The employees claim that the opera house is haunted by a mysterious ghost who wreaks chaos and destruction when displeased. Joseph Buquet, the lead scene shifter of the opera house, continually tells stories of how he has seen the "Opera Ghost" (which was partially a trick played on him by other opera house workers) to the ballet girls who are very frightened of this "so-called" ghost who haunts the opera. Joseph Buquet goes on later to say that "The ghost had Death's head", and changes his story to say that "The ghost had a head of fire, but with no body attached to it", but later described the body as being "a dress suit that covered a skeleton", and later in the chapter "Is it the Ghost?". Joseph Buquet dies a mysterious death, which the opera ballet girls immediately blame on the opera ghost. "The Opera Ghost", is actually a horribly deformed musical genius named Erik. He uses the "Ghost" façade to send the managers of the Opéra Garnier repeated threats of catastrophe should they not pay him a monthly salary of 20,000 francs and perpetually reserve Box Five for him at every show. This arrangement, unbroken during the many years of the managers' tenure, is abruptly terminated when two new proprietors, Armand Moncharmin and Firmin Richard, take over the opera house and refuse to give in to what they view as empty threats, thinking that it is a practical joke by former manager. Meanwhile, Erik has taken on a protégé, Christine Daae. He explains to her that he is the "Angel of Music", a heavenly spirit sent by her dead father to...