A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls: From Real Life to Literature and Movies

by Fiona Dodwell, Fred Batt (foreword)

Silent Stares and Malevolent Whispers from Possessed Dolls

Robert. Annabelle. Peggy. The very names of these dolls can strike fear into your heart. Fiona Dodwell, who has been gripped by the idea of spirit-possessed dolls for years, dives into real world and fictional examples of toys gone bad—playthings meant to comfort children but instead make life a living hell.

Fiona presents a comprehensive collection of true-life cases of haunted dolls, including lesser-known ones such as Mandy and Okiku. She also explores the killer dolls that have inspired endless horror movies and books. To chill your spine even further, Fiona shares interviews with Child's Play writer and director Don Mancini, actress Jennifer Tilly, Patti Negri of Ghost Adventures, Jayne Harris of Help! My House Is Haunted, and many, many more.

Creepy, addictive, and meticulously researched, this book takes paranormal enthusiasts on a thrilling journey into the dark and fascinating world of haunted dolls.

Includes a foreword by Fred Batt, demonologist on the TV show Most Haunted

Genres: Paranormal

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2025

About the author

Fiona Dodwell lives in the UK.

She has studied Theology, Drama, Psychology and Film studies.

She is extremely passionate about horror - both in film and literature - and began writing at an early age.

She has written for Paranormal Underground, Supernatural Magazine, Pinched Literary and completed a writing Internship with Tremr.

She has released several novels, novellas and short stories.

In 2018 she was commissioned to write liner notes for artist Morrissey.

Reviews

[J.A. Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most people my age, Child’s Play was a film that sparked a fear of dolls in me. But films as far back as 1929’s The Great Gabbo have been giving audiences reasons to think twice about the innocence of dolls. So, what is it about dolls that sends shivers down our spines? Is it because they look like little versions of us? Or does it go all the way back to a history of dolls being used as in ancient rituals? Fiona Dodwell’s latest book, A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls, delves into these questions and so much more!

A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls is a fantastic read and covers spooky dolls in film, literature, and even real life. You’ll learn about the custom of Victorian Mourning dolls, dolls used as effigies, the link between ventriloquism and speaking to the dead, and, if you’ve ever found a Frozen Charlotte in your Christmas cake, you’ll learn the creepy backstory to that name too. Beyond a history of doll customs, Dodwell also covers several real-life haunted dolls in famous paranormal cases, lesser-known cursed toys, and even a handful of her first-hand experiences with a doll named Edna.

The book begins with a foreword by demonologist Fred Batt from the TV show Most Haunted, and things only get spookier from there. Dodwell herself has studied demonology under Bishop James Long, took several courses by parapsychologist Dr. Ciarán O’Keeffe, and has also studied theology, so I was hoping for a strong exploration of real-life haunted dolls, and I was not disappointed.

Throughout A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls, you’ll find interviews with psychic Patti Negri, Evelyn Hollow from the Uncanny podcast series, as well as owners of haunted objects detailing their own spooky encounters. As someone who is slightly obsessed with paranormal tv shows and podcasts, the section of the book dedicated to true paranormal experiences was nearly impossible to put down.

The second half of the book shifts the focus to fictional haunted dolls and is as equally entrancing as the true paranormal accounts. Here you’ll find great recommendations for films and books you might not know about, as well as interviews with Don Mancini and Jennifer Tilly from the Child’s Play franchise. And, if you want to dig even deeper into the lore of haunted dolls, the book includes a terrific bibliography so you can continue researching on your own.

I really enjoyed A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls and highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject of paranormal encounters.

[Anneliese · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to start this book. But, unfortunately it didn’t deliver for me. The editing wasn’t great, and I felt that the stories of ‘real-life’ dolls were very much skimmed over - and in my opinion should have been the main focus of the book. I really didn’t enjoy reading the interviews with those involved in the movies…I didn’t really see the point and many of the questions weren’t even relevant to dolls specifically. Given that it was a bit of a pit stop tour, I was expecting way more in the form of real life stories. The literature was very much skimmed over too…there are many more good pieces of literature involving dolls that weren’t even mentioned and there wasn’t really any rationale for why certain ones were or weren’t mentioned. For me, this wasn’t a very enjoyable read, I was expecting a lot more. The book is described as comprehensive, and in my opinion, it’s anything but.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a non fiction read and scary all about haunted dolls from around the world just a shame it was a short read

[Rebecca Elson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 10/16/2025.

We’re deep into spooky season and have I got a great book to accompany you on your spooky October journey! I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of “A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls” by Fiona Dodwell and let me tell you, it was a good time.

You may remember my recent review of “Dollcraft” by Patti Negri, and I’m not going to lie, there is a touch of overlap. One could almost say that “A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls” is in conversation with “Dollcraft.” However, where “Dollcraft” takes a turn and explores the craft of making magical dolls, “Haunted Dolls” turns to look at the portrayal of dolls in literature and movies.

Dodwell does a fantastic job of condensing the history of dolls and how they can become the subject of hauntings and curses. She openly states that she didn’t begin with an overwhelming interest in potentially haunted dolls, but by the end of the book Dodwell is an active enthusiast with a doll of her own. “Haunted Dolls” explores the history of relatively well-known dolls, such as Robert the Doll and Annabell the Doll, then delves deeper with lesser-known dolls like, Mandy the Doll and Charley. Throughout these sections Dodwell features quotes from interviews she did to learn more on the subject, including Patti Negri! Yes, they are in literal conversation, not just figurative!

Now for me, “Haunted Dolls” truly shines when Dodwell moves into the influence and presence of dolls in film. Not only does she provide delightful overviews of films featuring dolls from 1929 through 2024, but Dodwell includes interviews with Don Mancini, the director behind “Child’s Play” and Jennifer Tilly, the actress who plays Tiffany in the “Child’s Play” franchise, A.D. Calvo, the director of “The Doll in the Dark” (also known as “The Melancholy Fantastic”), and the director of the “Robert the Doll” films, Andrew Jones. Although lacking in interviews, Dodwell’s exploration of dolls in literature features an eye-opening number of novels dating from 1975 to 2020.

“A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls” by Fiona Dodwell is a welcome addition to the expanding topics of haunted dolls and the paranormal in popular culture. Loaded with interviews and research, it is a perfect read for this October!

[Jack Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prior to reading this book, I was more interested in the real life phenomenon of haunted dolls, or what makes people believe them to be haunted. This more than haunted doll portrayals in movies such as Child's Play or Annabelle, were what drew me to the book. Having spoken with the author on this subject in the past, I knew it was an area of personal interest to her over the years and it is clear from this work that she has developed contacts in the world of paranormal research, including some TV personalities, who were happy to contribute to her book. I found the first half of the book the most interesting - examining real life cases and trying to understand what is at work in the sensations caused by these haunted playthings. The second half looks at how these phenomena have influences pop culture, including TV, movies and literature. Fiona's writing style flows easily, and reading feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. To this end, the book is well worth a read if you are interested in the subject, and a great starting point for those, like me, who have little prior knowledge of haunted dolls going in.

[Fred Rayworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cursed Collection Of Haunted Dolls was an outstanding read. I don’t much delve into the realities of the supernatural but this book made the trip easy. The writing was top notch, with easily digestible sections and a friendly and informative conversational tone. I found it addicting right to the end. What’s great is that instead of just being entertained, I also learned a few things. Fiona goes into detail within each section on the history of haunted dolls, from personal experiences to famous cases, movies and literature. She also includes some great interviews with people involved.

While I have zero psychic ability as she has admitted herself, she’s still convinced me that something must be going on. Whatever it is, I know I want nothing to do with dolls! While we both have a healthy dose of skepticism, I’m convinced that there must be something to all this, whatever it turns out to be (ghosts, spirits, entities, something electrical?). In conclusion, I never would’ve known any of this without her book. Highly recommended.

[Kari Bergen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona Dodwell's "A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls" should be on the shelf of every haunted doll collector, pararnormal investigator or anyone curious to delve into the history of haunted dolls from the infamous real life cases of Annabelle and Robert to terrifying lesser known hauntings, fascinating interviews with those who have personal experience with their own haunted dolls, and the frightening fictional hauntings depicted in film and literature. 


Whether you are new to the world of haunted dolls or a seasoned collector / investigator you will find something entertaining, educational and thought provoking in the pages of this book. 


Fiona's comprehensive exploration into haunted dolls feels personal and her insightful questions, conversational tone and down-to-earth approach makes it easy to feel along for the ride as she researches, investigates and interviews the topic from every angle. I appreciate the obvious care and respect she has for the subject, such as choosing to use illustrations instead of photos. 

[Catherine Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, finding it a delightful distraction from mundane life as I explored famous haunted dolls from history, the origins of our more popular urban myths, recommended movies and stories, and a smattering of ghost stories inspired by dolls. It is written in a lighthearted, entertaining style and brings a modern insight into a popular culture with deep historical roots. The author feels like someone I can relate to, speaking from her personal experience and her fascination with haunted dolls and their stories. This is a delightfully upbeat, spooky read for Halloween and the dark winter months!