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Dark Shadows #5
The Curse of Collinwood
The original, classic, Dark Shadows books from the Paperback Library, return with Hermes Press' archival reprint of all 32 titles in the series beginning with the first novel which first saw print in December, 1966.
The fifth book in this reprint series is titled "The Curse of Collinwood." Each book in the series was written by William Edward Daniel Ross who used the pen name Marilyn Ross.
Do zombies walk at Collinwood?
Upset over the death of Ernest Collins, Victoria begins to believe that Phantoms are haunting her. Are they figments of her imagination? As the threats to her life become very real, she is forced to accept the horrifying truth.
The strange figures are not phantoms, but the bodies of Derek and Esther Collins, murdered more than a century ago. They were unwittingly released from their coffins by a shaft of moonlight - and doomed to roam the earth as the "living dead."
The fifth book in this reprint series is titled "The Curse of Collinwood." Each book in the series was written by William Edward Daniel Ross who used the pen name Marilyn Ross.
Do zombies walk at Collinwood?
Upset over the death of Ernest Collins, Victoria begins to believe that Phantoms are haunting her. Are they figments of her imagination? As the threats to her life become very real, she is forced to accept the horrifying truth.
The strange figures are not phantoms, but the bodies of Derek and Esther Collins, murdered more than a century ago. They were unwittingly released from their coffins by a shaft of moonlight - and doomed to roam the earth as the "living dead."
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1968
1 person is currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Ross
136 books61 followersWilliam Edward Daniel Ross, W. E. Daniel "Dan" Ross (born 1912) is a bestselling Canadian novelist from Saint John, New Brunswick who wrote over 300 books in a variety of genres and under a variety of mostly female pseudonyms such as Laura Frances Brooks, Lydia Colby, Rose Dana, Jan Daniels, Olin Ross, Diane Randall, Clarissa Ross, Leslie Ames, Ruth Dorset, Ann Gilmer, Jane Rossiter, Dan Ross, Dana Ross, Marilyn Ross, Dan Roberts, and W.E.D. Ross. As Marilyn Ross he wrote popular Gothic fiction including a series of novels about the vampire Barnabas Collins based on the American TV series Dark Shadows (1966-71).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 8, 2020
Zombies!! At last, the Dark Shadows series gets the jolt of macabre needed since Book 1. Gone are the dull low-stakes melodrama of figures in the windows and Victoria obsessing over her uncertain past. Now there are legit monsters lurking in the shadowy halls of Collinwood Mansion and no one in town is safe.
It's a spooky-filled adventure from beginning to end. The drastic shift in focus creates some clunky context set-up, but once the story moves beyond that there’s a classic monster plot to unveil. My hope is that with the introduction of Barnabas in the next book, the rest of the series will stay focused on thrills rather than ceaseless internal pondering.
For the few readers who have been genuinely interested in Victoria’s character arc, there may be some disappointment that most loose ends remain loose. Nevertheless, this book ends nicely, with plenty of implied story for the reader to imagine and fill in gaps. Perhaps future books will explain a few things as well, but I hope they don't linger over it if so.
For those struggling with books 2 through 4, stay with it! All will be worthwhile.
It's a spooky-filled adventure from beginning to end. The drastic shift in focus creates some clunky context set-up, but once the story moves beyond that there’s a classic monster plot to unveil. My hope is that with the introduction of Barnabas in the next book, the rest of the series will stay focused on thrills rather than ceaseless internal pondering.
For the few readers who have been genuinely interested in Victoria’s character arc, there may be some disappointment that most loose ends remain loose. Nevertheless, this book ends nicely, with plenty of implied story for the reader to imagine and fill in gaps. Perhaps future books will explain a few things as well, but I hope they don't linger over it if so.
For those struggling with books 2 through 4, stay with it! All will be worthwhile.
November 2, 2025
Victoria, Burke and...zombies?? Count me in. This was one of the best/most exciting books in the series, with actual supernatural creatures showing up. I loved it.
February 27, 2022
This was the first Dark Shadows tie-in I found as a ten year-old back then, probably on a spinner rack of paperbacks in my small hometown (then under 3000 people). One didn't need a bookstore in your county (well, we Did, but it was 40 miles away) when paperbacks were distributed in drug stores, discount department stores, etc. When I saw the publisher's instructions in the back, ordered others regularly when I didn't see stocked locally.
Curse is full of well-drawn characters, especially the old hermit by the shore, Amos "Mad Martin," who knew the Collins family history and could sense when evil spirits were about. The late 1800s zombies, unknowingly released from Collinwood Cemetery in their period clothing, were mistaken for a drugged out "hippie couple" by everyone at Collinwood and in Collinsport, until continued murders and frights made this seem unlikely. Victoria Winters, Burke Devlin and the old hermit Amos in his shack by the beach eventually realize what has happened, and struggle to deal with the evil. Along the way, Carolyn and Elizabeth are given some gothic frights.
I became a gothic horror reader after this, before ever turning to science fiction.
Curse is full of well-drawn characters, especially the old hermit by the shore, Amos "Mad Martin," who knew the Collins family history and could sense when evil spirits were about. The late 1800s zombies, unknowingly released from Collinwood Cemetery in their period clothing, were mistaken for a drugged out "hippie couple" by everyone at Collinwood and in Collinsport, until continued murders and frights made this seem unlikely. Victoria Winters, Burke Devlin and the old hermit Amos in his shack by the beach eventually realize what has happened, and struggle to deal with the evil. Along the way, Carolyn and Elizabeth are given some gothic frights.
I became a gothic horror reader after this, before ever turning to science fiction.
November 13, 2024
This turned out to be not at all what I expected, but in a good way. We know the world of Dark Shadows does involved the supernatural. Vampires, ghosts, werewolves, witches, the living dead, all are part of Dark Shadows. The early novels didn't have that, and instead everything was down to Earth. To be fair, that's how the TV series started out as well. But here, we start to see real monsters for a change, and it was a welcomed change since it surprised me.
Overall a good volume, and yes, Victoria Winters did suffer at least 3 attempted murders. It's just not a Dark Shadows novel if someone doesn't try to murder her at least twice.
Barnabus shows up in the next volume, and I hope it doesn't change the quality of the series, because so far this is been good. Perhaps it will even get better?
Overall a good volume, and yes, Victoria Winters did suffer at least 3 attempted murders. It's just not a Dark Shadows novel if someone doesn't try to murder her at least twice.
Barnabus shows up in the next volume, and I hope it doesn't change the quality of the series, because so far this is been good. Perhaps it will even get better?
October 11, 2017
Despite Barnabas's presence on the cover, he is nowhere to be found in the book. On the other hand, this is the best entry in the series so far. In the first four books, the plot is "Scoobified" when it's discovered that the supernatural terror plaguing Collinwood has a rational explanation. Not this time. We've got honest-to-Quentin zombies on the loose. In one particularly satisfying scene, a professional wrestler has his back snapped in two by one of the zombie Collins. These are old-fashioned Caribbean zombies. Night of the Living Dead wouldn't be released until a few months after this book was first published. If you find this one, pick it up. It's a guilty pleasure!
November 1, 2020
The best book in the series thus far and had me scared in time for Halloween!
August 25, 2024
In which Ross gives us not only the representative séances and secret passageways but also a wrestling match at the Collinsport Fair Day.
July 9, 2017
This was the first of the book series to truly delve into the supernatural that was the hallmark for the TV series. The others were more typical gothic - with ghosts hinted at, but always proven to be real people. And with the next book in the series about everybody's favorite vampire, Barnabas, it's obvious the books are going to dive headlong into the supernatural stories that fans loved. The book still had much of the gothic flavor - creepy old houses,secret passages, runs through the cemetery, being pursued by someone or something in the night - but it did a very good job of winning the characters, and the readers, over to believing in the possibilities of zombies.
December 27, 2019
First, let me say that I am a solid DS fan. I have read most, if not all of the novels. Having said that, the books are a massive giggle fest with not an ounce of logic. In this novel we are introduced to a "retarded" homicidal maniac who is later termed a "criminal genius". Burke Devlin's attitude towards the supernatural seems to swing all over the place. Oh, and as befits the era, Victoria needs the help of a big strong man to help her get through it all. If you can find the humor in all of this, as I did, you will get a kick out of it. If not, stay far, far away. For those of the faithful, shall we say, who hold a more orthodox view of DS, you won't be happy either with it.
August 26, 2021
The fifth in the series of Dark Shadows books, this one tells of two ancestors, Derek and Esther Collins who were killed over 100 years ago. However, it was not a normal "death" for either of them for they were condemned to come back as zombies. In order to prevent this from happening, their coffins were sealed and the stone door was sealed so they would never see any moonlight coming in through the shaft. As the story goes, Victoria and Burke investigate the burial site when some strange happenings and sitings start appearing and the locals become concerned. Another good one from the gothic world of DS! I listened to this as audible book, and it was great!
August 12, 2024
Fearless Zombie Hunters!
Spoiler Alert! Please read only after finishing the book!
Wow, what a fun book! Scary too, with abundant Scooby-Doo-style shocks, chases, and jump scares.
But this book departs from the Scooby Doo playbook--which I know was still a year away from being written when this paperback hit drugstore spinner racks in May 1968--by not having the zombies turn out to be Sgt. Sturdy and old Amos in drag but genuine-draft real zombies! That's a departure even from Ross' earlier novels in the series where supposed ghosts peering out of windows were not and where anything smacking of the supernatural was disappointingly debunked. For me, the zombies being real elevated the book a star. I was reading those closing chapters waiting just waiting for the inevitable unmasking of Sturdy and ancient Amos (my primary suspects) and was delighted that such a disillusioning denouement never came.
I also found this book's pacing to be brisker than previous ones. Things just kept on happening in quick succession, punctuated by always fascinating visits to Amos Martin's moody home where departed spirits speak. Yeah, there was some padding, like Carolyn and Vicky's long talk about love, and repetition when Burke describes for Roger and Elizabeth the scene we just read unfold. But the fat was trimmed lean this time around.
The irrelevance of being Ernest: Elizabeth breaks it to Vicky that Ernest Collins was killed in a South American plane crash. After some obligatory grieving, Ernest is all but forgotten, evoked only by a snarky Roger who resents Vicky's affections so quickly shifting to Burke. I didn't grieve Ernest either because he was never fully developed, something writer Ross likely realized.
Ernest was quickly swept aside as Burke's role was elevated to co-star and a couple intriguing new characters captured our attention: Amos "Mad" Martin the eccentric spiritualist and Sgt Sturdy of the Ellsworth police. Sure, I wished Ross had used Sheriff George Patterson, memorably played on TV by Dana Elcar. Sometimes I wondered if Ross, living in Canada, was even able to watch the series. With each book the Rossverse becomes more distinct and distant from ABC's "continuing suspense drama" that none dare call a "soap opera."
Deviations from the television series have to be overlooked, from the wild inconsistencies in Collins genealogy to characters like Sturdy replacing Patterson, but one deviation has to be called out as simply a whopper of a mistake:
Elizabeth said,'They'd probably kill you and steal Joe's car.'
David's eyes were sparkling as he asked his mother, 'Gee, do you really think they'd do that?'
Elizabeth sighed, 'Let's not talk about it anymore' (p.63).
Wait, what? His mother?? Yeah, Roger, three martinis into the evening, would undoubtedly welcome the burden of parentage being shifted to his sister, but what about Laura Collins aka Dark Phoenix? Don't open that Pandora's box, Danny boy!
That forehead-smacking mistake is evidence that Ross simply couldn't keep track of and corral all the characters who inhabit the Dark Shadows television series universe (Curtisverse?). And maybe that's a good thing. Keeping the story tightly focused on Vicky and Burke with Amos in support made it stronger. After dispatching them from Collinwood the last few adventures, Ross made a valiant effort to bring Carolyn and David into this tale, but it was obvious he didn't know what to do with them. And they proved themselves albatrosses on the story, having to be dutifully mentioned but adding nothing to the narrative.
Okay, David did add something valuable when spying Esther in the Collins family cemetery wearing Vicky's stolen coat and hat. Interestingly, he noted "she was sort of walking slow and stopping every now and then..." (p 126). Slow and halting is how we've come to expect zombies to walk, going by classic horror movies spanning 1932's White Zombie to 1968's Night of the Living Dead, so then how to explain Esther taking off after Vicky in a sprint and even racing up a flight of stairs? And Derek hot on the heels of Vicky in the pursuit through the secret passageways of Collinwood?
Flouting the rules established in movies is SOP for Dark Shadows, as we've seen Barnabas enjoying a drink in the Blue Whale, for example, so no stones are lobbed on this account. Ross wrote a compelling story boasting real shivers and shakes along with blood-chilling moments (the county fair wrestler getting his back broken is one that still makes me shudder).
This fifth book closes out on a high note the Vicky-centered stories, allowing Barnabas to assume center stage all the way through the thirty-third and final book in the series. Me, I'm aboard for the ride!
Who better to sum up this frothy frightfest than author Dan Ross himself, who through the voice of Roger put it perfectly:
"Now I call that neat. First you dream up these zombies and then you find a means of disposing of them. Very smart, indeed" (p. 153).
Spoiler Alert! Please read only after finishing the book!
Wow, what a fun book! Scary too, with abundant Scooby-Doo-style shocks, chases, and jump scares.
But this book departs from the Scooby Doo playbook--which I know was still a year away from being written when this paperback hit drugstore spinner racks in May 1968--by not having the zombies turn out to be Sgt. Sturdy and old Amos in drag but genuine-draft real zombies! That's a departure even from Ross' earlier novels in the series where supposed ghosts peering out of windows were not and where anything smacking of the supernatural was disappointingly debunked. For me, the zombies being real elevated the book a star. I was reading those closing chapters waiting just waiting for the inevitable unmasking of Sturdy and ancient Amos (my primary suspects) and was delighted that such a disillusioning denouement never came.
I also found this book's pacing to be brisker than previous ones. Things just kept on happening in quick succession, punctuated by always fascinating visits to Amos Martin's moody home where departed spirits speak. Yeah, there was some padding, like Carolyn and Vicky's long talk about love, and repetition when Burke describes for Roger and Elizabeth the scene we just read unfold. But the fat was trimmed lean this time around.
The irrelevance of being Ernest: Elizabeth breaks it to Vicky that Ernest Collins was killed in a South American plane crash. After some obligatory grieving, Ernest is all but forgotten, evoked only by a snarky Roger who resents Vicky's affections so quickly shifting to Burke. I didn't grieve Ernest either because he was never fully developed, something writer Ross likely realized.
Ernest was quickly swept aside as Burke's role was elevated to co-star and a couple intriguing new characters captured our attention: Amos "Mad" Martin the eccentric spiritualist and Sgt Sturdy of the Ellsworth police. Sure, I wished Ross had used Sheriff George Patterson, memorably played on TV by Dana Elcar. Sometimes I wondered if Ross, living in Canada, was even able to watch the series. With each book the Rossverse becomes more distinct and distant from ABC's "continuing suspense drama" that none dare call a "soap opera."
Deviations from the television series have to be overlooked, from the wild inconsistencies in Collins genealogy to characters like Sturdy replacing Patterson, but one deviation has to be called out as simply a whopper of a mistake:
Elizabeth said,'They'd probably kill you and steal Joe's car.'
David's eyes were sparkling as he asked his mother, 'Gee, do you really think they'd do that?'
Elizabeth sighed, 'Let's not talk about it anymore' (p.63).
Wait, what? His mother?? Yeah, Roger, three martinis into the evening, would undoubtedly welcome the burden of parentage being shifted to his sister, but what about Laura Collins aka Dark Phoenix? Don't open that Pandora's box, Danny boy!
That forehead-smacking mistake is evidence that Ross simply couldn't keep track of and corral all the characters who inhabit the Dark Shadows television series universe (Curtisverse?). And maybe that's a good thing. Keeping the story tightly focused on Vicky and Burke with Amos in support made it stronger. After dispatching them from Collinwood the last few adventures, Ross made a valiant effort to bring Carolyn and David into this tale, but it was obvious he didn't know what to do with them. And they proved themselves albatrosses on the story, having to be dutifully mentioned but adding nothing to the narrative.
Okay, David did add something valuable when spying Esther in the Collins family cemetery wearing Vicky's stolen coat and hat. Interestingly, he noted "she was sort of walking slow and stopping every now and then..." (p 126). Slow and halting is how we've come to expect zombies to walk, going by classic horror movies spanning 1932's White Zombie to 1968's Night of the Living Dead, so then how to explain Esther taking off after Vicky in a sprint and even racing up a flight of stairs? And Derek hot on the heels of Vicky in the pursuit through the secret passageways of Collinwood?
Flouting the rules established in movies is SOP for Dark Shadows, as we've seen Barnabas enjoying a drink in the Blue Whale, for example, so no stones are lobbed on this account. Ross wrote a compelling story boasting real shivers and shakes along with blood-chilling moments (the county fair wrestler getting his back broken is one that still makes me shudder).
This fifth book closes out on a high note the Vicky-centered stories, allowing Barnabas to assume center stage all the way through the thirty-third and final book in the series. Me, I'm aboard for the ride!
Who better to sum up this frothy frightfest than author Dan Ross himself, who through the voice of Roger put it perfectly:
"Now I call that neat. First you dream up these zombies and then you find a means of disposing of them. Very smart, indeed" (p. 153).
January 6, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up. This one is...weird. My last re-read in the series, and I can see why I stopped (lol) It just has a different feel, and the romance is cringe compared to the previous books.I plan to continue the series this time though, so there's that.
January 14, 2016
Although Barnabas appears on the cover he is not in the story at all. This is pre-Barnabas action.
The story starts with Carolyn having had a nervous breakdown and returning to Collinwood. David had been in a military academy but left that and is also now at home. Earnest has died in a plane crash, shattering Victoria's hopes for a life with him.
Carolyn thinks she has seen a ghost. Burke Devlin works with Victoria throughout the story. They go to see a guy called Mad Martin who knows a lot about the history of Collinwood and the history of a guy named Derek Collins.
Seems he wasn't a nice guy since he ran one of the ships bringing slaves to America. He ran into trouble and both he and his wife ended up dead, but not totally dead as they were turned into zombies, placed into coffins, and rest in a Collins mausoleum.
Things get complicated since they get loose but, at the same time, there is a guy and a woman who vaguely look like them, that are criminals, and are also near Collinwood. Victoria has a hard time trying to convince Burke what is really going on.
The rest of the story involves various attacks, disbelieving police and attempts to deal with all four dangers.
It turns out to be a good story, but I do have a question. In Derek and his wife were zombies and could escape from their coffins if they get hit by moonlight, they why weren't both coffins encased in concrete or steel or something like that. Such an encasement would be very strong and definitely not admit any moonlight.
The story starts with Carolyn having had a nervous breakdown and returning to Collinwood. David had been in a military academy but left that and is also now at home. Earnest has died in a plane crash, shattering Victoria's hopes for a life with him.
Carolyn thinks she has seen a ghost. Burke Devlin works with Victoria throughout the story. They go to see a guy called Mad Martin who knows a lot about the history of Collinwood and the history of a guy named Derek Collins.
Seems he wasn't a nice guy since he ran one of the ships bringing slaves to America. He ran into trouble and both he and his wife ended up dead, but not totally dead as they were turned into zombies, placed into coffins, and rest in a Collins mausoleum.
Things get complicated since they get loose but, at the same time, there is a guy and a woman who vaguely look like them, that are criminals, and are also near Collinwood. Victoria has a hard time trying to convince Burke what is really going on.
The rest of the story involves various attacks, disbelieving police and attempts to deal with all four dangers.
It turns out to be a good story, but I do have a question. In Derek and his wife were zombies and could escape from their coffins if they get hit by moonlight, they why weren't both coffins encased in concrete or steel or something like that. Such an encasement would be very strong and definitely not admit any moonlight.
January 22, 2012
This is certainly a page turner, as Dan ("Marilyn") Ross meant it to be. THE CURSE OF COLLINWOOD finally steps off the Scooby Doo bus and gives us pure, Stephen King-ish supernatural terror. No ambiguity about the hauntings here. These are REAL zombies that have risen from the Collins family tomb!!! Derek and Esther Collins, dead for a century, now rise to wander the countryside. And though Victoria Winters realizes what is happening, she fears that if she tries to tell the police her account will be disbelieved...
The story opens with the death of Ernest Collins in a plane crash. This clears the way for Burke Devlin, who apparently has been secretly in love with our heroine for some time. One night, while exploring the Collins tomb---don't ask!---they unwittingly release the zombies. Ross writes some eerie sequences in which murderous, brain-dead Derek and blank-eyed, yellow-haired Esther amble about. And there's an old psychic man, Amos Martin, who lives in a shack along the beach and who will assist Burke and Victoria in dealing with this double threat. Amos holds seances and "talks" to his long-dead mother, who answers him in a singsong voice...Very creepy! For those who loved Dark Shadows, this book will bring back some nostalgic thrills and chills.
The story opens with the death of Ernest Collins in a plane crash. This clears the way for Burke Devlin, who apparently has been secretly in love with our heroine for some time. One night, while exploring the Collins tomb---don't ask!---they unwittingly release the zombies. Ross writes some eerie sequences in which murderous, brain-dead Derek and blank-eyed, yellow-haired Esther amble about. And there's an old psychic man, Amos Martin, who lives in a shack along the beach and who will assist Burke and Victoria in dealing with this double threat. Amos holds seances and "talks" to his long-dead mother, who answers him in a singsong voice...Very creepy! For those who loved Dark Shadows, this book will bring back some nostalgic thrills and chills.
April 2, 2022
In the fifth installment of the Dark Shadows book series we travel into the graveyard at Collinwood and the tomb of a controversial figure from the past. Victoria Winters and Burke Devlin are center stage as we experience seances, professional wrestling matches, hidden passage ways, and escaped hippie murderers. Dark crimes from their ancestors seem to loom over the heads of the family as they traverse through this latest adventure in their gothic lives. All of this and zombies too?
This was a fun story in and of itself plus it moved a few of the ongoing plot points a bit further down the road. I still want to see more of some of the peripheral characters, but can’t complain too much. Looking forward to the next volume as the pump is primed for a legendary character to make his long awaited debut.
This was a fun story in and of itself plus it moved a few of the ongoing plot points a bit further down the road. I still want to see more of some of the peripheral characters, but can’t complain too much. Looking forward to the next volume as the pump is primed for a legendary character to make his long awaited debut.
February 11, 2022
A Bit Corney, But Still Worth Reading
This particular story was one of the most ridiculous I’ve read in this series … so far. It’s not because it involves zombies (the Haitians, in particular, have proven that zombification has and can occur), but the way the story was put together was, to me, silly. Not only that, but poor Victoria is yet again the target for all the mean ghosts and ghoulies. I would say Vicky should get a life, but it is within her context of employment at Collinwood that she is more often than not, embroiled in these situations that end up causing her to be the focal point of whatever is going on at the time.
Still, having said that, I also have to admit that this TV series was probably one of the most corny, campy and ridiculous (in so many ways!) soap operas ever recorded. But it was great.
This particular story was one of the most ridiculous I’ve read in this series … so far. It’s not because it involves zombies (the Haitians, in particular, have proven that zombification has and can occur), but the way the story was put together was, to me, silly. Not only that, but poor Victoria is yet again the target for all the mean ghosts and ghoulies. I would say Vicky should get a life, but it is within her context of employment at Collinwood that she is more often than not, embroiled in these situations that end up causing her to be the focal point of whatever is going on at the time.
Still, having said that, I also have to admit that this TV series was probably one of the most corny, campy and ridiculous (in so many ways!) soap operas ever recorded. But it was great.
August 12, 2010
A typical 60s-era written gothic. Victoria Winters is quite the meek miss, I half expected her to start screaming when Roger wished her good morning. Was annoying how wimpy she was after reading for a while. Apparently the next book in the series concentrated on Barnabas Collins, good thing. For this part of the story I'd give it 2 stars.
As far as the story and atmosphere, it was a winner. Collinwood would be dark and spooky on the brightest of days in Collinsport. I think Marilyn Ross can convey a good sense of place with few words. The story had a few small surprises with na ambiguous ending. That was cool. So, for this portion I'd give it 5 stars.
As far as the story and atmosphere, it was a winner. Collinwood would be dark and spooky on the brightest of days in Collinsport. I think Marilyn Ross can convey a good sense of place with few words. The story had a few small surprises with na ambiguous ending. That was cool. So, for this portion I'd give it 5 stars.
July 24, 2020
The 5th book in the series, and the last one before Barnabas comes along and snags the spotlight. (Even though he's on the cover, no mention of him here)
Victoria and Burke inadvertently release a voodoo curse on Collinwood. Or did they?
We are kept guessing thru much of the book..
David and Carolyn return for this one, having largely been absent from the previous 3.
Burke has his biggest part yet.
I enjoyed this one. And while I look forward to Barnabas, I will miss the feel of these first 5 novels...
Victoria and Burke inadvertently release a voodoo curse on Collinwood. Or did they?
We are kept guessing thru much of the book..
David and Carolyn return for this one, having largely been absent from the previous 3.
Burke has his biggest part yet.
I enjoyed this one. And while I look forward to Barnabas, I will miss the feel of these first 5 novels...
November 9, 2024
I am listening to this series on audiobook. I gave the last two books four stars, but this one took a dip down to three for me. It finally introduced an actual supernatural element - zombies. But not your typical zombies.
Also, major spoiler here…
I can’t believe the story opened with finding out that Ernest died all of a sudden in a plane crash. It was just very jarring.
And most of the male characters are jerks. There is a lot of back and forth between Victoria and Burke who is her friend that got tiring. Plus Roger is just always obnoxious.
Not my favorite of the series.
Also, major spoiler here…
I can’t believe the story opened with finding out that Ernest died all of a sudden in a plane crash. It was just very jarring.
And most of the male characters are jerks. There is a lot of back and forth between Victoria and Burke who is her friend that got tiring. Plus Roger is just always obnoxious.
Not my favorite of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2024
At last, something possibly genuinely supernatural happens in here (with real deaths)! A good transition story as the series gets ready to really up their game in the next book.
July 21, 2025
While I would have loved if they had included more of Vicky and Burke's romance, I can't say I'm disappointed they finally brought in some of the supernatural elements that made the show so popular.
July 21, 2022
If you lived in a mansion that attracts murders, thieves, con artists, ghosts, and zombies, wouldn't you pack your bags and move far away? I can't answer the question for you - but my answer is "Yes!" Sadly, Victoria Winters's answer would be the opposite because she believes the answer to her parentage lies within Collinwood. Unfortunately, Victoria will mysteriously disappear from the Dark Shadows lit-verse after a few more books, and we never learn of her parents' identities. The Curse of Collinwood is the last Victoria Winters solo outing, as the next book would mark the first Dark Shadows lit-verse appearance of Barnabas Collins.
The Curse of Collinwood is a creepy and campy story involving zombies. In a way, it's a departure from the previous books, but in another way, it's more gothic. The more Daniel Ross (writing under the pen name Marilyn Ross) furthered from the soap opera storylines, the better his writing became, especially with the gothic descriptions and frightening atmospheres. It's a fast-paced, fun-filled spine-chilling read.
The Curse of Collinwood is a creepy and campy story involving zombies. In a way, it's a departure from the previous books, but in another way, it's more gothic. The more Daniel Ross (writing under the pen name Marilyn Ross) furthered from the soap opera storylines, the better his writing became, especially with the gothic descriptions and frightening atmospheres. It's a fast-paced, fun-filled spine-chilling read.
April 2, 2023
Victoria Winters and Burke Devlin are very much the focus in this entry. A series of horrendous murders take place in Collinsport. But who is responsible? An escaped criminal and his female accomplice? Or two Collins ancestors, released from their crypt to walk again as the "living dead"...zombies! And what does old Amos Martin know about it all? Fun little read.
June 5, 2022
This volume is one of the most goth of the series. Victoria and Burke are given some great due when zombies are released at Collinwood. Or is it an escaped crazed hippie and his girlfriend? Prediction from a mad spiritualist on the beach don't clear up matter much and Vicky is her usual jumpy self. Girl screams at the opening of a napkin.
November 18, 2023
So far, of this whole series, this book is the only one that actually gave me a few mini "shivers" . :) Save it for a late night read, when the wind is whistling around the house, especially if the moon is full, and peeping thru the tattered clouds. .;}
July 6, 2012
Not bad. Better than the last two. Zombies in Collinwood. Nice.
September 10, 2019
Fast reads. Very fun.
November 6, 2013
Good read.
August 14, 2016
Who would have guessed that zombies could be so easily mistaken for hippies? Typos abound.
December 18, 2021
Dark Shadows
I liked the book very much. I just wish that Barnabas would be in the books. He was my favorite in the tv show .
I liked the book very much. I just wish that Barnabas would be in the books. He was my favorite in the tv show .
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