Dark Shadows by Marilyn Ross


The Paperback Library began releasing novels based on the TV series Dark Shadows in December 1966. There were thirty-three novels released through to 1972, all of them written by William Edward Daniel Ross under his pen name Marilyn Ross.
All of the novels, with the exception of House of Dark Shadows were part of one shared continuity separate from the history supplied in the original television series. House of Dark Shadows was an adaptation of the MGM film, House of Dark Shadows and as such, represented a separate continuity.
Most of the books follow a formula of a heroine arriving at, or already living at, Collinwood and falling in love with Barnabas Collins, not realizing that he's a vampire. The heroine subsequently finds herself endangered by some natural or supernatural threat requiring Barnabas to rescue her. By the story's conclusion, the heroine guesses or suspects that Barnabas is a vampire but still wants him anyway, prompting Barnabas to depart rather than involve her with his cursed existence.
An unresolved plot point that featured in both the television series and the novel series was the mystery of Victoria Winters origins. Ross had planned to reveal Victoria as Barnabas' long-lost daughter, conceived in the 1940s during a time when Barnabas found himself temporarily free of the vampire curse. Her biological mother, who died young, was the best friend of Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. However, when actress Alexandra Moltke left the television series in 1968, the editors of the book series instructed Ross to immediately remove the character without solving the mystery.
Many of the 1st printings of the novels featured covers with enframed production stills from the television show. Invariably, the photographs represented on the covers had little if anything to do with the actual stories contained within.
#TitleRelease DateHeroineNotes
1Dark ShadowsDecember 1966Victoria WintersA partial re-telling of Victoria Winters arrival in Collinsport. Originally printed with an illustrated cover, subsequent editions featured a photographic cover featuring Alexandra Moltke with Jonathan Frid, although the character of Barnabas Collins does not appear. This is also the case with books 2 to 4. Collinwood is referred to here as Collins House.
2Victoria WintersMarch 1967Victoria Winters
3Strangers at Collins HouseSeptember 1967Victoria WintersPartially takes place in 1916.
4The Mystery of CollinwoodJanuary 1968Victoria Winters-
5The Curse of CollinwoodMay 1968Victoria WintersThe only book in series not to be printed with a photographic cover. Derek and Esther Collns terrorize Collinsport as Zombies!
6Barnabas CollinsNovember 1968Margaret CollinsFirst book to feature Barnabas Collins. In the television series Barnabas was chained to his coffin in 1796 and not released until 1967, here Ross offers an alternate timeline in which the vampire was never held captive at all. Takes place in the early 1900s.
7The Secret of Barnabas CollinsJanuary 1969Lady Clare DuncanTakes place in 1870.
8The Demon of Barnabas CollinsApril 1969Rita GlennThe first book to present Barnabas in a heroic vein rather than as the villain, following the trend set by the television series.
9The Foe of Barnabas CollinsJuly 1969Paula Collins JenningsFeatures the character of Chris Jennings, although presented here as a villain rather than the sympathetic victim depicted in the television series. It also features a rare appearance by Angelique. Takes place in 1910.
10The Phantom and Barnabas CollinsSeptember 1969Maggie EvansTakes place in 1880.
11Barnabas Collins vs. the WarlockOctober 1969Maggie EvansA homage to Henry James' 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw, a text also used in the television series for inspiration.
12The Peril of Barnabas CollinsNovember 1969Diana Hastings-
13Barnabas Collins and the Mysterious GhostJanuary 1970Diana Samson
14Barnabas Collins and Quentin's DemonFebruary 1970Lara BalfourIntroduces the character of Quentin Collins to the range. Takes place in 1895.
15Barnabas Collins and the Gypsy WitchMarch 1970Roxanna CollinsTakes place in the 1890s.
16Barnabas, Quentin and the Mummy's CurseApril 1970Maggie EvansProfessor Anthony Collins awakens a shambling, bandage-draped Egyptian terror to prowl Collinwood, a classic horror subject which was never utilized on the TV show.
17Barnabas, Quentin and the Avenging GhostMay 1970Carolyn Stoddard
18Barnabas, Quentin and the Nightmare AssassinJune 1970Carolyn StoddardTakes place in 1869, again courtesy time travel!
19Barnabas, Quentin and the Crystal CoffinJuly 1970Betty WardA homage to Edgar Allan Poe's 1844 short story The Premature Burial, a text also used in the television series for inspiration. The bulk of the story takes place in 1897.
20Barnabas, Quentin and the Witch's CurseAugust 1970Anita BurgessTakes place in 1900.
21Barnabas, Quentin and the Haunted CaveSeptember 1970Harriet TurnbridgeThough most of the book is set in modern day, Harriet experiences strange dream sequences set in 1705.
22Barnabas, Quentin and the Frightened BrideOctober 1970Ann HaywardTakes place in 1920.
House of Dark ShadowsOctober 1970Novelisation. Several scenes cut from the film version were included. It also featured 16 pages of Black and White photos from the film's production.
23Barnabas, Quentin and the Scorpio CurseNovember 1970Diana Collins
24Barnabas, Quentin and the SerpentDecember 1970Irma CollinsTakes place in 1870.
25Barnabas, Quentin and the Magic PotionJanuary 1971Carolyn StoddardThis story marks a sudden shift in the characterization of Quentin Collins, who up to this point in the range had been portrayed as an enemy of Barnabas.
26Barnabas, Quentin and the Body SnatchersFebruary 1971Marjorie GrayThis is the only book in the series told in the omniscient point of view. It also features a rare appearance by Julia Hoffman. As suggested by its title, a homage to Jack Finney's 1955 science fiction novel The Body Snatchers.
27Barnabas, Quentin and Dr. Jekyll's SonApril 1971Emily CollinsAs suggested by its title, a homage to Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a text also used in the television series for inspiration. Takes place in 1908. Published the same month that Dark Shadows aired its final episode.
28Barnabas, Quentin and the Grave RobbersJune 1971Paula SullivanTakes place in 1830. First book published after Dark Shadows left the air.
29Barnabas, Quentin and the Sea GhostAugust 1971Norah BlissIt features a rare appearance by Julia Hoffman and Professor Stokes.
30Barnabas, Quentin and the Mad MagicianOctober 1971Carolyn Stoddard
31Barnabas, Quentin and the Hidden TombDecember 1971Ellen DruryTakes place in 1866.
32Barnabas, Quentin and the Vampire BeautyMarch 1972Adele Marriot