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

by Fiona Dodwell, Fred Batt (foreword)

Join Fiona Dodwell on a deep dive into the world of haunted and cursed dolls, exploring both real-life accounts and the pop culture inspired by them.

Gripped by the idea that dolls can be haunted, writer and paranormal enthusiast Fiona Dodwell throws herself into an exploration of real and fictional haunted dolls. She presents interviews with Patti Negri (psychic medium on hit show Ghost Adventures), Child's Play writer and director Don Mancini, actress Jennifer Tilly, Jayne Harris of Help! My House Is Haunted, and many, many more.

In this illustrated book, you will find examples of well-known haunted doll cases, such as Robert and Annabelle, as well as many accounts of lesser-known spirited dolls, such as Mandy and Okiku. Creepy, addictive, and informative, A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls takes paranormal enthusiasts on a journey into the dark and disturbing world of toys gone bad.

Genres: Paranormal

212 pages, Paperback

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

[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!