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Return of The Wolf Man
Inheriting the dark castle known as Tombs, Caroline Cooke discovers the truth behind disturbing tales that overshadow its surrounding town, from unsolved murders to the appearance of a shadowy beast-man who appears at the scene of the attacks. Original.
- GenresHorrorFantasyWerewolves
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 27, 2020
Jeff Rovin's Return of The Wolf Man is truly a blast!
It begins in 1948, picking up near the ending of the (awesome) movie Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, and Rovin neatly ties up the loose ends of the film.
The bulk of the novel takes place fifty years later and this classic monster lover was seriously impressed by Jeff Rovin's knowledge of and respect for the source material, the Universal Pictures monsters. Rovin expertly captures the essence of these classic creatures in this story, and generously sprinkles Easter eggs throughout the tale that are sure to tickle any monster buff (like myself).
I grew up watching the Wolf Man, Dracula, and Frankenstein's Monster and I must admit that I was grinning like a maniac as I savored this one!
If you're a horror aficionado and are fortunate enough to find a copy of Return of The Wolf Man (good luck!), I can guarantee you will not be disappointed.
It begins in 1948, picking up near the ending of the (awesome) movie Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, and Rovin neatly ties up the loose ends of the film.
The bulk of the novel takes place fifty years later and this classic monster lover was seriously impressed by Jeff Rovin's knowledge of and respect for the source material, the Universal Pictures monsters. Rovin expertly captures the essence of these classic creatures in this story, and generously sprinkles Easter eggs throughout the tale that are sure to tickle any monster buff (like myself).
I grew up watching the Wolf Man, Dracula, and Frankenstein's Monster and I must admit that I was grinning like a maniac as I savored this one!
If you're a horror aficionado and are fortunate enough to find a copy of Return of The Wolf Man (good luck!), I can guarantee you will not be disappointed.
March 28, 2015
This lil' gem is my favorite book of the last ten years. Return of the Wolf Man is a loving homage/pastische to the world of monsters, Universal Monsters to be precise.
Avid Universal fans will know that the monsters initially bid farewell to us with Universal International's Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), which brought together the three largest monster cash cows/cultural icons, Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolf Man. The monsters went out with class and dignity thanks largely to a script that left the laughs to Bud and Lou and treated the monsters with respect.
What Rovin does is take the events of the last 10 minutes of the film and puts them into the point of view of Larry Talbot (as the Wolf Man) and his battle with Dracula. He continues the story from after the credit roll and builds it to a logical and satisfying conclusion - until, events, somehow (rather seemlessly actually) bring all three monsters into Florida, present day. And you know what? It absolutely WORKS.
I love this book, I love everything about it - especially the pathos that Rovin knows is inherent to two out of the three monsters. He exploits the tragic elements of these characters in very moving ways. If you love the Universal cannon of horror - track down a copy. I think you'll find in the book a very good and old....... Friend?
Avid Universal fans will know that the monsters initially bid farewell to us with Universal International's Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), which brought together the three largest monster cash cows/cultural icons, Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolf Man. The monsters went out with class and dignity thanks largely to a script that left the laughs to Bud and Lou and treated the monsters with respect.
What Rovin does is take the events of the last 10 minutes of the film and puts them into the point of view of Larry Talbot (as the Wolf Man) and his battle with Dracula. He continues the story from after the credit roll and builds it to a logical and satisfying conclusion - until, events, somehow (rather seemlessly actually) bring all three monsters into Florida, present day. And you know what? It absolutely WORKS.
I love this book, I love everything about it - especially the pathos that Rovin knows is inherent to two out of the three monsters. He exploits the tragic elements of these characters in very moving ways. If you love the Universal cannon of horror - track down a copy. I think you'll find in the book a very good and old....... Friend?
January 22, 2026
This is a fun novel for fans of the classic original Universal Monsters franchise. It picks up, improbably, where the Abbott & Costello (which I had never regarded as canon) film ends, and we see what's happened in the intervening fifty years from the perspective of Lawrence Talbot. The story takes itself quite seriously, and there are lots of Easter eggs strewn throughout for aficionados of the original source material. Curt Siodmak would be okay with it. The beginning lags a little, but there are several details in the long build-up that make it worthwhile. This is the story they should have filmed next.
October 7, 2011
What a fantastic novel! It was as if I were reading the novelization to a long lost Universal horror movie. Starting with the events at the close of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, the novel quickly segues to Larry Talbot's continuing werewolf problem fifty years later. A true monster bash with The Wolf Man, Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster and zombies all clashing. Rovin sprinkles in touches of monster kid knowledge/trivia and serves up a winner here, folks!
April 12, 2021
It's a shame that Jeff Rovin's Return of the Wolf Man is impossible to buy at an affordable retail price, considering its humble paperback origin. But don't let that dissuade you from reading it if you can get your claws on a copy.
Return of the Wolf Man is a lovingly crafted homage to the classic Universal monsters from their films in the 1930s and 1940s, extending their horror legacy in a surprisingly good novel. The story roughly picks up after the film action in the studio's 1948 sequel, ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN -- a gem in the series that both earns laughs from the comedy duo yet mostly takes seriously the monsters menacing them. For decades, this film has served as an affectionately made, enjoyed and remembered gateway film for young viewers learning to love monsters and their movies, and it's definitely worth viewing in its own right before reading this novel.
Rovin picks up his tale as the horror icons -- Count Dracula, Frankenstein's monster and the Wolf Man, Larry Talbot -- are revealed to live on after the ending of the 1948 film. This is the mildest and most predictable of "spoilers" since you've already read the title of Rovin's novel. Avoiding any true plot spoilers, I'll leave it that more enjoyable and inventive monster lore ensues over 352 pages that extends the action in believable fashion, and delves deeper into these infamous characters and others.
Some surprises and several references to Universal's monster film classics enliven key moments in Rovin's tale in ways that may have readers wishing Universal had or would adapt the novel for a film version of its own. That's how adeptly and satisfyingly Rovin melds his story with the classic monsterverse fans know from the Universal legends.
Rovin expertly and cleverly establishes the mood, visual settings, environments and ambience so vividly created in the Universal films inspiring him. This a key factor in making The Return of the Wolf Man such an enjoyable read where the visuals from his story play in that magnificent theater of the mind within each reader. That this only exists as a novel does not diminish its validity or impact as a deserving part in classic Universal monster lore.
Prior knowledge of A&CMF or previous Universal monster films is not mandatory to enjoy the book, but such a reader would miss out on many narrative treasures Rovin weaves through his book that strengthen the novel's storytelling power as a prose sequel.
Sure, this novel may not shock or horrify readers, but Rovin quickly immerses his audience in this shadow-filled world that has its own dark touches, devising a great "what if?" expansion of the monsterverse that stands up to repeat readings on its own, just as the classic films do.
If vampires, werewolves and undead creatures arising from the Universal legends appeals to you, I highly recommend finding a used copy of The Return of the Wolf Man wherever you can find/buy it, and treat yourself to this worthy successor that meets and exceeds expectations. It's a shame this tale has become the Invisible Novel of its genre and remains just as elusive to find today.
Return of the Wolf Man is a lovingly crafted homage to the classic Universal monsters from their films in the 1930s and 1940s, extending their horror legacy in a surprisingly good novel. The story roughly picks up after the film action in the studio's 1948 sequel, ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN -- a gem in the series that both earns laughs from the comedy duo yet mostly takes seriously the monsters menacing them. For decades, this film has served as an affectionately made, enjoyed and remembered gateway film for young viewers learning to love monsters and their movies, and it's definitely worth viewing in its own right before reading this novel.
Rovin picks up his tale as the horror icons -- Count Dracula, Frankenstein's monster and the Wolf Man, Larry Talbot -- are revealed to live on after the ending of the 1948 film. This is the mildest and most predictable of "spoilers" since you've already read the title of Rovin's novel. Avoiding any true plot spoilers, I'll leave it that more enjoyable and inventive monster lore ensues over 352 pages that extends the action in believable fashion, and delves deeper into these infamous characters and others.
Some surprises and several references to Universal's monster film classics enliven key moments in Rovin's tale in ways that may have readers wishing Universal had or would adapt the novel for a film version of its own. That's how adeptly and satisfyingly Rovin melds his story with the classic monsterverse fans know from the Universal legends.
Rovin expertly and cleverly establishes the mood, visual settings, environments and ambience so vividly created in the Universal films inspiring him. This a key factor in making The Return of the Wolf Man such an enjoyable read where the visuals from his story play in that magnificent theater of the mind within each reader. That this only exists as a novel does not diminish its validity or impact as a deserving part in classic Universal monster lore.
Prior knowledge of A&CMF or previous Universal monster films is not mandatory to enjoy the book, but such a reader would miss out on many narrative treasures Rovin weaves through his book that strengthen the novel's storytelling power as a prose sequel.
Sure, this novel may not shock or horrify readers, but Rovin quickly immerses his audience in this shadow-filled world that has its own dark touches, devising a great "what if?" expansion of the monsterverse that stands up to repeat readings on its own, just as the classic films do.
If vampires, werewolves and undead creatures arising from the Universal legends appeals to you, I highly recommend finding a used copy of The Return of the Wolf Man wherever you can find/buy it, and treat yourself to this worthy successor that meets and exceeds expectations. It's a shame this tale has become the Invisible Novel of its genre and remains just as elusive to find today.
October 23, 2016
The reason I picked this little gem up is because it is the novel that covers the resulting story after Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein film. It sounds bizarre but Jeff Rovin makes it work because his narrative bridges two worlds of fantasy and fiction. Read it and enjoy the nostalgic horror ride.
September 13, 2012
Worth reading.
February 9, 2016
Picking up where "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" left off this is a fun read that really captured the feel of the movies for me.
April 27, 2014
Jeff Rovin makes the wishes of monster fans come true with this novel. Picking up at the climax of ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN, we are finally told what "really" happened to Lawrence Talbot/the Wolf Man, Count Dracula, and the Frankenstein Monster following that film's conclusion.
Fifty years later in 1998, the Wolf Man and the Monster are discovered alive in the ruins of the basement at Mornay Castle. Dr. Caroline Cooke, the new owner, agrees to not only help Talbot find a cure for his lycanthropy, but to finally destroy the Monster once and for all.
Everything soon falls apart when Dracula learns of all this, and sets in motion a diabolical plan that will turn the Monster into his indestructable slave and give the Wolf Man a taste of "true death."
Rovin's characterizations of the three monsters fit so perfectly that it's difficult to imagine this novel as anything other than the Universal film that SHOULD have been made, but wasn't.
Lawrence Talbot is just as tragic and heroic as Lon Chaney, Jr. portrayed him, battling his own inner demons all while trying to use his power to thwart the greater evil of Dracula, while the Count himself possesses all the charm and nobility that Bela Lugosi brought to the role. The Frankenstein Monster is given less to do than his two co-stars, but he still plays an active part in the story. By no means does Rovin leave him on an operating table; he is mobile!
The book is loaded with in-jokes that will appeal to the die-hard fans of the Universal films, and some of these references even fall far outside the realm of the Dracula/Frankenstein/Wolf Man sagas.
My one gripe is that Rovin's dates for the events seen on the screen seem a bit off, especially considering the amount of time the monsters supposedly remained dormant between films. Other than that, Return of the Wolf Man is an excellent read, filled with action, suspense, and the perfect amount of horror. A welcome new addition to a classic series!
Fifty years later in 1998, the Wolf Man and the Monster are discovered alive in the ruins of the basement at Mornay Castle. Dr. Caroline Cooke, the new owner, agrees to not only help Talbot find a cure for his lycanthropy, but to finally destroy the Monster once and for all.
Everything soon falls apart when Dracula learns of all this, and sets in motion a diabolical plan that will turn the Monster into his indestructable slave and give the Wolf Man a taste of "true death."
Rovin's characterizations of the three monsters fit so perfectly that it's difficult to imagine this novel as anything other than the Universal film that SHOULD have been made, but wasn't.
Lawrence Talbot is just as tragic and heroic as Lon Chaney, Jr. portrayed him, battling his own inner demons all while trying to use his power to thwart the greater evil of Dracula, while the Count himself possesses all the charm and nobility that Bela Lugosi brought to the role. The Frankenstein Monster is given less to do than his two co-stars, but he still plays an active part in the story. By no means does Rovin leave him on an operating table; he is mobile!
The book is loaded with in-jokes that will appeal to the die-hard fans of the Universal films, and some of these references even fall far outside the realm of the Dracula/Frankenstein/Wolf Man sagas.
My one gripe is that Rovin's dates for the events seen on the screen seem a bit off, especially considering the amount of time the monsters supposedly remained dormant between films. Other than that, Return of the Wolf Man is an excellent read, filled with action, suspense, and the perfect amount of horror. A welcome new addition to a classic series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2020
Wish I could give more than 5 Stars
September 18, 2025
El Retorno del Hombre Lobo continua donde terminó la última película de la Universal sobre el personaje: Abbott and Costello meets Frankenstein!
Los monstruos de la universal se encontraban ya tan devaluados que acabaron filmando parodias de sí mismas con parejas cómicas famosas del momento, como Abbott y Costello, una especie del Gordo y el Flaco pero menos ingeniosos.
Es así que esta novela comienza narrándonos todo el final de está película para darnos contexto de lo que viene.
Después de que Drácula, Frankenstein y el Hombre Lobo tienen viven un último enfrentamiento en el castillo de una científica loca que pretendía trasplantar un cerebro humano al cráneo de Frankenstein por ordenes de Drácula, los sucesos quedan en la memoria del pueblo de LaMira en Florida, solo como una leyenda. En la actualidad —los 90s del Siglo XX— el castillo es heredado a una chica que descubre de forma algo violenta, que en su interior aún se encuentran atrapados dos de las criaturas causantes del caos de 1948, criaturas que parecen arrancadas de una leyenda: el hombre lobo y Frankenstein. Drácula, quién había logrado escapar del enfrentamiento anterior ha formado un pequeño reino del terror en una isla del caribe, pero ahora que sabe que su antiguo némesis, Lawrence Talbot, mejor conocido como el hombre lobo, está vivo y que el monstruo de Frankenstein también, regresa a LaMira para ajustar cuentas...
Jeff Rovin se la juega para lograr una novela interesante partiendo de un parodia inmisericorde y acaba bien parado, pero claro, no se esperen una historia memorable, sino un relato serie B que cumple con lo que promete y nada más.
Los monstruos de la universal se encontraban ya tan devaluados que acabaron filmando parodias de sí mismas con parejas cómicas famosas del momento, como Abbott y Costello, una especie del Gordo y el Flaco pero menos ingeniosos.
Es así que esta novela comienza narrándonos todo el final de está película para darnos contexto de lo que viene.
Después de que Drácula, Frankenstein y el Hombre Lobo tienen viven un último enfrentamiento en el castillo de una científica loca que pretendía trasplantar un cerebro humano al cráneo de Frankenstein por ordenes de Drácula, los sucesos quedan en la memoria del pueblo de LaMira en Florida, solo como una leyenda. En la actualidad —los 90s del Siglo XX— el castillo es heredado a una chica que descubre de forma algo violenta, que en su interior aún se encuentran atrapados dos de las criaturas causantes del caos de 1948, criaturas que parecen arrancadas de una leyenda: el hombre lobo y Frankenstein. Drácula, quién había logrado escapar del enfrentamiento anterior ha formado un pequeño reino del terror en una isla del caribe, pero ahora que sabe que su antiguo némesis, Lawrence Talbot, mejor conocido como el hombre lobo, está vivo y que el monstruo de Frankenstein también, regresa a LaMira para ajustar cuentas...
Jeff Rovin se la juega para lograr una novela interesante partiendo de un parodia inmisericorde y acaba bien parado, pero claro, no se esperen una historia memorable, sino un relato serie B que cumple con lo que promete y nada más.
April 14, 2022
This book was AMAZING.
If you are an old school monster kid who grew up obsessed with the Universal Monster movies you will be well served by this book.
It is a serious horror tale whose foundations are entirely built off of the climax of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein....yes you read that right.
This book is written from the perspective of a single continuity between the Universal Monster movies (one that existed but was pretty loose) and the mere fact they chose to incorporate the comedy film into that is remarkable.
This book is also JAM packed with little references to other Universal Horror pictures like The Deadly Mantis and Creature from the Black Lagoon. It even incorporates elements from White Zombie which was not a Universal picture.
Asides from sly little references the story is great as well. A very pulpy story but told in an exciting way with plenty of great characters. No character has plot armor and just when you get to know some characters they get dispatched in gloriously gruesome ways.
This is the start of a trilogy, although the other two books are not held in as high esteem and while I will definitely read those books at some point this book really does provide a nice definitive cap to the story of the Universal Monsters.
If you are an old school monster kid who grew up obsessed with the Universal Monster movies you will be well served by this book.
It is a serious horror tale whose foundations are entirely built off of the climax of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein....yes you read that right.
This book is written from the perspective of a single continuity between the Universal Monster movies (one that existed but was pretty loose) and the mere fact they chose to incorporate the comedy film into that is remarkable.
This book is also JAM packed with little references to other Universal Horror pictures like The Deadly Mantis and Creature from the Black Lagoon. It even incorporates elements from White Zombie which was not a Universal picture.
Asides from sly little references the story is great as well. A very pulpy story but told in an exciting way with plenty of great characters. No character has plot armor and just when you get to know some characters they get dispatched in gloriously gruesome ways.
This is the start of a trilogy, although the other two books are not held in as high esteem and while I will definitely read those books at some point this book really does provide a nice definitive cap to the story of the Universal Monsters.
January 30, 2021
I'd say you have to be much of a fan of the Universal films in general and of the Wolf Man series in special to fully enjoy this story.
But there also already lies the crux with it, Rovin is damn repetitive in the first hundred pages or so, first making us go through a lengthy prologue set during the end of Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein which segues in a long history of what happened to LaMirada up to the present, and after that he still continues to rehash the Abbott & Costello story and at times the other screen appearances of the Wolf Man, which slows down the main story considerable.
But there also already lies the crux with it, Rovin is damn repetitive in the first hundred pages or so, first making us go through a lengthy prologue set during the end of Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein which segues in a long history of what happened to LaMirada up to the present, and after that he still continues to rehash the Abbott & Costello story and at times the other screen appearances of the Wolf Man, which slows down the main story considerable.
November 21, 2023
WWWwwway Better than I thought it would be, Shockingly well written, never dull and gives you everything a horror hound wants. Must read!
February 3, 2013
I liked that this story started out as a follow-up to an Abbott and Costello movie rather than to an earlier, more "serious" Universal horror film. Monster-mash mayhem like this is intended as a fun diversion, not serious chills. Unfortunately, apart from the clever starting point, this book doesn't really deliver on anything. The flimsiest bit parts in the movies are more interesting (and believable!) than any of the characters in this book. The storyline meanders with no logic, momentum, or excitement. But the biggest (and ultimately fatal) problem with the book is: it's just no fun! It's a chore to read.
I actually enjoyed the sequel novels The Devil's Night and The Devil's Brood by David Jacobs much more.
I actually enjoyed the sequel novels The Devil's Night and The Devil's Brood by David Jacobs much more.
July 9, 2013
A nice little read . If you love all the classic characters from Universal Studios (Dracula ,Creature ,Frankenstein,Wolf-man ,Mummy,etc ),you will like it .
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews