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Dark Shadows #2
Victoria Winters
Still trying to uncover the secret of her own identity, Victoria Winters continues her life at Collins House. The unexpected arrival of mysterious strangers at the brooding manor instills terrible fears in her.
Horrified at their lies and their evil, menacing gestures, Victoria wonders if these guests have come to kill her. Terror shrouds Collins House as Victoria finds herself the prey of these cruel tormentors.
Horrified at their lies and their evil, menacing gestures, Victoria wonders if these guests have come to kill her. Terror shrouds Collins House as Victoria finds herself the prey of these cruel tormentors.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1967
7 people are currently reading
269 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 54 reviews
February 5, 2020
Which Collins is trying to kill Victoria Winters now? Or are the mysterious newcomers to blame? There’s also a chilling third option--something otherworldly and vengeful from the grave.
After the dynamite opening to the Dark Shadows series, Book #2 is a decent mystery that earns its stars thanks only to a clever conclusion. Sadly, almost every enthralling element from the first book is stripped away here. The most intriguing Collins residents are out of town and the ones who stay behind have lost their character-defining traits. Victoria’s governess role is forgotten entirely. The new love interest lacks personality. Most egregious, Ross seems to have decided that there’s no need to re-describe the groovy atmosphere of the Blue Whale or the eerie setting of Collinwood after the first book. A terrible mistake. Atmosphere is the lifeblood of a Gothic romance. Actually, atmosphere is the romance. Without it there’s no pulse.
All negativity aside, I did breeze through it thanks to another outstanding performance on audiobook by original cast member Kathryn Leigh Scott. This weak follow-up will not deter me from marching on with all 32 books in the series. I’ve never seen the TV show, but my understanding is that the early ratings were terrible which is why they decided to throw in a vampire. I suspect these books--despite being very different from the show--will also get better once that twist is revealed.
After the dynamite opening to the Dark Shadows series, Book #2 is a decent mystery that earns its stars thanks only to a clever conclusion. Sadly, almost every enthralling element from the first book is stripped away here. The most intriguing Collins residents are out of town and the ones who stay behind have lost their character-defining traits. Victoria’s governess role is forgotten entirely. The new love interest lacks personality. Most egregious, Ross seems to have decided that there’s no need to re-describe the groovy atmosphere of the Blue Whale or the eerie setting of Collinwood after the first book. A terrible mistake. Atmosphere is the lifeblood of a Gothic romance. Actually, atmosphere is the romance. Without it there’s no pulse.
All negativity aside, I did breeze through it thanks to another outstanding performance on audiobook by original cast member Kathryn Leigh Scott. This weak follow-up will not deter me from marching on with all 32 books in the series. I’ve never seen the TV show, but my understanding is that the early ratings were terrible which is why they decided to throw in a vampire. I suspect these books--despite being very different from the show--will also get better once that twist is revealed.
July 17, 2025
I love how Victoria is like "I heard/saw something" and everyone else is like "oh no, you must be sick/you must've imagined it", every single time.
Like, you guys live in a spooky, potentially haunted mansion, maybe something *IS* actually going on? Just a thought. And after the events of book one too, have they learned nothing...
Anyway, this one didn't have the same feel as the first one, many of the characters were "away" doing things, and it does feel like there's a certain formula the author is following (at least up to this point), but I still enjoyed it on audio.
Like, you guys live in a spooky, potentially haunted mansion, maybe something *IS* actually going on? Just a thought. And after the events of book one too, have they learned nothing...
Anyway, this one didn't have the same feel as the first one, many of the characters were "away" doing things, and it does feel like there's a certain formula the author is following (at least up to this point), but I still enjoyed it on audio.
July 17, 2020
The second in a string of pulp books based on the show.
The writing is every bit as melodramatic as the show, but it carries a certain nostalgic quality that compels one to keep reading. I do wish Ross would find another word besides "attractive" to describe women. She must have used the word 40 times and referred to every single female character at least once. NO descriptions, just "attractive." Perhaps she hopes we will fill in our own blanks?
The writing is every bit as melodramatic as the show, but it carries a certain nostalgic quality that compels one to keep reading. I do wish Ross would find another word besides "attractive" to describe women. She must have used the word 40 times and referred to every single female character at least once. NO descriptions, just "attractive." Perhaps she hopes we will fill in our own blanks?
January 18, 2023
More bad decisions and strident tones.
5 stars
5 stars
January 9, 2022
Still Like the StoryBook Idea, But...
One of the things I like about the Dark Shadows book series, is that the characters have a chance to experience other adventures other than what was written for the series. Not to mention, experiencing alternative storylines and love interests. These are also short, almost ‘vignette’ type stories, which typically run to about 12 chapters and can be finished in one sitting. Great way to break up your reading, if you have lots of it.
Having said that, however, I have to say that while this particular storyline was a good one, it could have been written much better than it was. Although, granted, twenty-year-old Victoria Winters is essentially clueless about what the big, bad world is REALLY like, she’s not stupid. Or at least, she’s not portrayed as stupid in the series. In my opinion, this writer is doing Victoria a disservice by portraying her as a mealy-mouthed, addle-brained waif who doesn’t have enough sense not to go off with a stranger whom she’s just been warned might be a killer. I mean, come on. Sure, it’s difficult to move storylines ahead very much if you don’t do SOMETHING to get them moving. But don’t pull them out of character.
And finally, I often wonder at writers who don’t use an editor, proofreader or at the least a spell and grammar checker. There were so many grammatical and spelling mistakes in this one that I wanted to return it. But, I wanted to read the story more, so… And there are 14 more to read! :-(
Anyway, looking forward to the stories.
One of the things I like about the Dark Shadows book series, is that the characters have a chance to experience other adventures other than what was written for the series. Not to mention, experiencing alternative storylines and love interests. These are also short, almost ‘vignette’ type stories, which typically run to about 12 chapters and can be finished in one sitting. Great way to break up your reading, if you have lots of it.
Having said that, however, I have to say that while this particular storyline was a good one, it could have been written much better than it was. Although, granted, twenty-year-old Victoria Winters is essentially clueless about what the big, bad world is REALLY like, she’s not stupid. Or at least, she’s not portrayed as stupid in the series. In my opinion, this writer is doing Victoria a disservice by portraying her as a mealy-mouthed, addle-brained waif who doesn’t have enough sense not to go off with a stranger whom she’s just been warned might be a killer. I mean, come on. Sure, it’s difficult to move storylines ahead very much if you don’t do SOMETHING to get them moving. But don’t pull them out of character.
And finally, I often wonder at writers who don’t use an editor, proofreader or at the least a spell and grammar checker. There were so many grammatical and spelling mistakes in this one that I wanted to return it. But, I wanted to read the story more, so… And there are 14 more to read! :-(
Anyway, looking forward to the stories.
July 19, 2020
I’m working on this series and thankfully it matches the letter V for my summer Scrabble challenge. Fairly entertaining for dark shadows fans. I listened to it on audio using Hoopla and that was a treat. Victoria is still trying to find out who her family is and if they live in Collins Port. She almost gets killed! Murdered I mean! So this turned out to be a little murder mystery. On to book 3!
July 2, 2024
Another ridiculous, entertaining story in the world of Dark Shadows. God is Victoria STUPID. So many cringey instalove moments and the misogyny is thick in this book! Still waiting for the vampires to get here.
October 3, 2025
These are the gothic soap operas I’ve been looking for to help me cope through the hellish landscape that is 2025. With all the drama, the kidnapping, mistaken identities and mysterious attacks and intrigue, I would still gladly be at Collins House in moody, coastal Collinsport, Maine than the reality that is today.
February 25, 2024
A Descent into the Rossverse
Another exciting exploit in the life of our favorite foundling Victoria Winters. Someone referred to this series of novels as occupying the "Rossverse," an alternate or parallel continuity to that of the television series, and keeping that in mind allowed me to immerse myself in the story without obsessing over character and plot conflicts with the show we love.
That said, I still can't reconcile Ross' portrayal of Roger Collins as a dissolute lush and ladies' man with the pompous but sophisticated and gentlemanly Roger brought to life by Louis Edmonds on television. Yeah, Roger pours a lot of brandies on TV, but he never got frisky with Vicky or any other woman. And Roger as potential murderer?
Once again Roger had shown himself in a suspicious light and she began to think of him as a prime suspect in the happenings that were disturbing Collins House. (p. 107)
Spoiler: It wasn't Roger behind all the mayhem and monkeyshines that manifest at regular intervals throughout these 160 pages of perils for our latter-day Pauline.
The plot is an intriguing one. Henry Francis, an old college friend of Elizabeth's, moves into Ernest's former apartment with his two daughters, one of whom is recovering from brain surgery with the other acting as her nurse. Strange things immediately begin happening, such as Vicky spying a face in a window of the abandoned wing that bears an uncanny resemblance to the late Stella Hastings. Then someone tries to throttle Vicky in a dark corridor one night.
This brings to mind Ross' portrayal of Elizabeth Stoddard. I seriously think Ross hates her. In the first book and now this one her default setting is disbelieving Vicky and then going further by gaslighting Vicky into second guessing her own experiences.
Where have we seen a man from Elizabeth's past take up residence in Collinwood? The Jason McGuire plot. But in March 1967 when this novel was published the series was winding down the Dark Phoenix drama of Laura Collins. Jason first appeared in episode 195 broadcast on March 24. 1967. I wondered if there was a connection and whether Ross and the series writers discussed plot ideas. At any rate, Elizabeth was delighted to see Henry and anything but to see Jason, so there the serendipitous similarity ends (for my suspicion that Paul Caine was a proto-Willie, see below).
To make room for Henry Francis and his daughters (ahem!) Rachel, and Dorothy, the stage had to be cleared, so Carolyn and David were dispatched on vacation (or "holiday" as Ross puts it, betraying he's a Canadian) and Ernest is away on a concert tour. Will Grant has a cousin, Nora, who serves as a surrogate Carolyn. I suspected something was afoot with Nora since it's mentioned a couple times how much Nora resembles Vicky--could they be sisters separated at birth? Will the Vicky-Will-Ernest love triangle be resolved like the Leia-Luke-Han triangle, with family ties turning romantic love to filial? Nothing comes of this development in this book, but perhaps a foundation is being established?
But let's not give Ross too much credit for playing the long game. I suspect he had no clear solution to the whodunnit mystery he was rapidly writing himself into a corner with, thus all the hitherto unhinted-at developments which exploded in the closing chapters. Out of the blue we learn of a kidnapped millionaire's daughter and an undercover detective. Stella's open trunk and the silver leaf earring were just red herrings. I'm glad because if it turned out Stella was alive and well and living in the closed-off wing with Ernest's wingnut wife I would have thrown the book across the room!
Yes, the ending was rushed, especially compared to the leisurely paced unfolding of events that preceded it, such as long walks along the cliffside path, down to the beach, or just to the lavishly larded sideboard for toast and a second cup of coffee. The pace gets brisk in Chapter 10 when Vicky and Nora meet Burke in the Blue Whale for an exposition dump that served to narrow the field of suspects. Oh, there's a noteworthy moment when the girls first enter the Blue Whale...
Almost the first person they saw was Paul Caine, leaning against [the bar] arrogantly with a glass of beer in his hand. His smile in their direction was close to a sneer and he made no attempt to come over and speak to them. (p. 133)
Wow, if that doesn't foreshadow Willie Loomis, this earlier passage where Vicky encountered Paul on the path certainly did:
[Paul] seizing her, swung her around facing him. 'Paul!' she said, staring up at him with frightened surprise. There was a strange dark look of intensity on his normally good-humored face.
'I think I'm in love with you, Victoria,' he said in a taut voice. 'I want us to have a chance.' 'You're talking wildly,' she protested, wincing from the grip of his hands.
His smile was bitter. 'So now I'm talking wildly. Well, maybe I should have my turn.' He made no move to release her. 'What about us, Victoria?'
'I'm not in love with you,' she gasped. 'I never have been. I don't know what gave you the idea. Please let me go!'
His answer was to draw her to him and, in spite of her struggles, press his lips to hers so fiercely and so lingeringly that she groaned from the pain. With uncalled-for roughness he released her and she stumbled back a step, staring up at him with awed eyes.
'If you have any spirit or imagination I could show you something about love,' he said with a mocking smile. He no longer seemed the crew-cut innocent. It was as if she was seeing the real Paul Caine for the first time. (p. 124)
Wow, what a harrowing scene! But, in a mind-boggling development, just thirty-five pages later Vicky and Paul have a very different exchange:
'You know, Victoria, I meant that kiss.'
'Thanks,' she said. 'That came through to me.' ... 'I'll always be grateful to you,' she said. 'And I'd like to have you as a good friend.' (p. 159)
Huh?! I was gonna fling the book but was so darn close to the end. I wondered about Vicky and especially what Ross was implying about her character. How Vicky could thank Paul for the earlier assault of passion and then add that she'd like him for a friend was really pushing things beyond the pale.
That disconcerting character moment aside, I was immediately drawn into the sordid story of Henry Francis. Watching the television series and reading the novels concurrently prove a perfect complement. I bring the performers' faces and voices to the books, and I bring Ross' vivid descriptions of off-camera Collinwood to the show. It results in a rich and rewarding experience.
Still no appearances by Sam or Maggie Evans, and Burke is at best a bit player. Most notably, no Barnabas, despite his glowering menacingly at Vicky on my December 1968 fifth printing paperback's cover (wish I had the original painted cover that better captured the plot).
A couple reviewers were harsh on Dan "Marilyn" Ross' writing, one even denigrating this series as "trash reading." Others boast about how they read the book in a day or even three hours. What's the rush? Linger over the pages. It should not be a mad dash to race through all 33 books, despite book sites "gamifying" the pleasure of reading and rewarding quantity. Anyway... I did smile in agreement when someone noted how many times Ross mentioned Henry Francis' flat face. Poor sap, living in the day before face-shaming would get a writer canceled. (Add that indignity to the wholly unsubstantiated rumor that Henry's college nickname was "Hank Frank."!)
Among Ross' quirks I noticed are his continuing to use characters' full names long after they are established and known to the reader. "Henry Francis," "Will Grant," and "Burke Devlin" are invariably referred to by their full names. Matthew Morgan is often referred to as just "Morgan." No wonder the man is surly!
On the subject of names, I did catch Vicky, typically so fastidious in saying "Mrs. Stoddard," referring to her regal eminence as "Elizabeth" once in conversation with Roger: And you know that Elizabeth is devoted to you." (p. 106).
Besides using "holiday" for "vacation," as noted above, I caught Ross again revealing he's Canadian by at least twice mentioning people coming "down" to Maine, a mean feat for us colonials in the States.
Victoria Winters was a very enjoyable book for fans of Dark Shadows. Onward to Strangers at Collins House, where we'll learn if it's true there are no strangers at Collins House... just friends we haven't met yet.
Another exciting exploit in the life of our favorite foundling Victoria Winters. Someone referred to this series of novels as occupying the "Rossverse," an alternate or parallel continuity to that of the television series, and keeping that in mind allowed me to immerse myself in the story without obsessing over character and plot conflicts with the show we love.
That said, I still can't reconcile Ross' portrayal of Roger Collins as a dissolute lush and ladies' man with the pompous but sophisticated and gentlemanly Roger brought to life by Louis Edmonds on television. Yeah, Roger pours a lot of brandies on TV, but he never got frisky with Vicky or any other woman. And Roger as potential murderer?
Once again Roger had shown himself in a suspicious light and she began to think of him as a prime suspect in the happenings that were disturbing Collins House. (p. 107)
Spoiler: It wasn't Roger behind all the mayhem and monkeyshines that manifest at regular intervals throughout these 160 pages of perils for our latter-day Pauline.
The plot is an intriguing one. Henry Francis, an old college friend of Elizabeth's, moves into Ernest's former apartment with his two daughters, one of whom is recovering from brain surgery with the other acting as her nurse. Strange things immediately begin happening, such as Vicky spying a face in a window of the abandoned wing that bears an uncanny resemblance to the late Stella Hastings. Then someone tries to throttle Vicky in a dark corridor one night.
This brings to mind Ross' portrayal of Elizabeth Stoddard. I seriously think Ross hates her. In the first book and now this one her default setting is disbelieving Vicky and then going further by gaslighting Vicky into second guessing her own experiences.
Where have we seen a man from Elizabeth's past take up residence in Collinwood? The Jason McGuire plot. But in March 1967 when this novel was published the series was winding down the Dark Phoenix drama of Laura Collins. Jason first appeared in episode 195 broadcast on March 24. 1967. I wondered if there was a connection and whether Ross and the series writers discussed plot ideas. At any rate, Elizabeth was delighted to see Henry and anything but to see Jason, so there the serendipitous similarity ends (for my suspicion that Paul Caine was a proto-Willie, see below).
To make room for Henry Francis and his daughters (ahem!) Rachel, and Dorothy, the stage had to be cleared, so Carolyn and David were dispatched on vacation (or "holiday" as Ross puts it, betraying he's a Canadian) and Ernest is away on a concert tour. Will Grant has a cousin, Nora, who serves as a surrogate Carolyn. I suspected something was afoot with Nora since it's mentioned a couple times how much Nora resembles Vicky--could they be sisters separated at birth? Will the Vicky-Will-Ernest love triangle be resolved like the Leia-Luke-Han triangle, with family ties turning romantic love to filial? Nothing comes of this development in this book, but perhaps a foundation is being established?
But let's not give Ross too much credit for playing the long game. I suspect he had no clear solution to the whodunnit mystery he was rapidly writing himself into a corner with, thus all the hitherto unhinted-at developments which exploded in the closing chapters. Out of the blue we learn of a kidnapped millionaire's daughter and an undercover detective. Stella's open trunk and the silver leaf earring were just red herrings. I'm glad because if it turned out Stella was alive and well and living in the closed-off wing with Ernest's wingnut wife I would have thrown the book across the room!
Yes, the ending was rushed, especially compared to the leisurely paced unfolding of events that preceded it, such as long walks along the cliffside path, down to the beach, or just to the lavishly larded sideboard for toast and a second cup of coffee. The pace gets brisk in Chapter 10 when Vicky and Nora meet Burke in the Blue Whale for an exposition dump that served to narrow the field of suspects. Oh, there's a noteworthy moment when the girls first enter the Blue Whale...
Almost the first person they saw was Paul Caine, leaning against [the bar] arrogantly with a glass of beer in his hand. His smile in their direction was close to a sneer and he made no attempt to come over and speak to them. (p. 133)
Wow, if that doesn't foreshadow Willie Loomis, this earlier passage where Vicky encountered Paul on the path certainly did:
[Paul] seizing her, swung her around facing him. 'Paul!' she said, staring up at him with frightened surprise. There was a strange dark look of intensity on his normally good-humored face.
'I think I'm in love with you, Victoria,' he said in a taut voice. 'I want us to have a chance.' 'You're talking wildly,' she protested, wincing from the grip of his hands.
His smile was bitter. 'So now I'm talking wildly. Well, maybe I should have my turn.' He made no move to release her. 'What about us, Victoria?'
'I'm not in love with you,' she gasped. 'I never have been. I don't know what gave you the idea. Please let me go!'
His answer was to draw her to him and, in spite of her struggles, press his lips to hers so fiercely and so lingeringly that she groaned from the pain. With uncalled-for roughness he released her and she stumbled back a step, staring up at him with awed eyes.
'If you have any spirit or imagination I could show you something about love,' he said with a mocking smile. He no longer seemed the crew-cut innocent. It was as if she was seeing the real Paul Caine for the first time. (p. 124)
Wow, what a harrowing scene! But, in a mind-boggling development, just thirty-five pages later Vicky and Paul have a very different exchange:
'You know, Victoria, I meant that kiss.'
'Thanks,' she said. 'That came through to me.' ... 'I'll always be grateful to you,' she said. 'And I'd like to have you as a good friend.' (p. 159)
Huh?! I was gonna fling the book but was so darn close to the end. I wondered about Vicky and especially what Ross was implying about her character. How Vicky could thank Paul for the earlier assault of passion and then add that she'd like him for a friend was really pushing things beyond the pale.
That disconcerting character moment aside, I was immediately drawn into the sordid story of Henry Francis. Watching the television series and reading the novels concurrently prove a perfect complement. I bring the performers' faces and voices to the books, and I bring Ross' vivid descriptions of off-camera Collinwood to the show. It results in a rich and rewarding experience.
Still no appearances by Sam or Maggie Evans, and Burke is at best a bit player. Most notably, no Barnabas, despite his glowering menacingly at Vicky on my December 1968 fifth printing paperback's cover (wish I had the original painted cover that better captured the plot).
A couple reviewers were harsh on Dan "Marilyn" Ross' writing, one even denigrating this series as "trash reading." Others boast about how they read the book in a day or even three hours. What's the rush? Linger over the pages. It should not be a mad dash to race through all 33 books, despite book sites "gamifying" the pleasure of reading and rewarding quantity. Anyway... I did smile in agreement when someone noted how many times Ross mentioned Henry Francis' flat face. Poor sap, living in the day before face-shaming would get a writer canceled. (Add that indignity to the wholly unsubstantiated rumor that Henry's college nickname was "Hank Frank."!)
Among Ross' quirks I noticed are his continuing to use characters' full names long after they are established and known to the reader. "Henry Francis," "Will Grant," and "Burke Devlin" are invariably referred to by their full names. Matthew Morgan is often referred to as just "Morgan." No wonder the man is surly!
On the subject of names, I did catch Vicky, typically so fastidious in saying "Mrs. Stoddard," referring to her regal eminence as "Elizabeth" once in conversation with Roger: And you know that Elizabeth is devoted to you." (p. 106).
Besides using "holiday" for "vacation," as noted above, I caught Ross again revealing he's Canadian by at least twice mentioning people coming "down" to Maine, a mean feat for us colonials in the States.
Victoria Winters was a very enjoyable book for fans of Dark Shadows. Onward to Strangers at Collins House, where we'll learn if it's true there are no strangers at Collins House... just friends we haven't met yet.
August 24, 2023
My Name is Victoria Winters…
I love the television show and these books are a dream. Like a Gothic Nancy Drew, imagined by Mary Stewart!
I love the television show and these books are a dream. Like a Gothic Nancy Drew, imagined by Mary Stewart!
July 17, 2020
MUCH better than the first book in my opinion. If the end hadn’t seemed so rushed it would absolutely have been a 4 star read but as it is it’s 3.5 stars from me.
Worth mentioning that I’m listening to the audiobooks on my work breaks and I’m really starting to get into them. The dramatic readings are enjoyable.
Worth mentioning that I’m listening to the audiobooks on my work breaks and I’m really starting to get into them. The dramatic readings are enjoyable.
December 6, 2021
Book 2 as good as book 1
As an avid Dark Shadows fan I am always looking for more material. These books have certainly satisfied my appetite. Good story with many favorite characters from the show. I am looking forward to book 3. I hope that all 32 books are released for the kindle. If your a fan read books 1&2 and join me in reliving a childhood favorite show with book 3
As an avid Dark Shadows fan I am always looking for more material. These books have certainly satisfied my appetite. Good story with many favorite characters from the show. I am looking forward to book 3. I hope that all 32 books are released for the kindle. If your a fan read books 1&2 and join me in reliving a childhood favorite show with book 3
August 20, 2012
Couldn't get enough of these stories back then.
September 1, 2019
Nice fast read. Took 3 hrs max. Like the stories even if they are not true to the TV series
April 8, 2023
As a fan of the original Dark Shadows, the gothic soap opera that ran on ABC-TV from 1966 to 1971, I had always been curious about this series of Dark Shadows novels written by Marilyn Ross (the pen-name of William Edward Daniel Ross). Originally issued in mass market size by the Paperback Library, they have all been re-issued in a larger, trade paperback size by Hermes Press. At $14.99 each, they are a bit expensive, especially considering how thin they are. I happened to find a couple on clearance at Bud's Books online so I took the plunge and bought them. The ones I purchased were this one, "Victoria Winters" (No. 2 in the series) and "Barnabas Collins" (No. 6 in the series).
I finished reading "Victoria Winters" this morning. Though it's #2 in the series, there is enough exposition and back story about what happened in the first book that you don't really need to have read volume 1 to understand what is going on. As a fan of the show, this was a fun read, but I have to say it is pretty poorly written. For one thing, the author has a limited vocabulary of adjectives. There is one character who the author repeatedly describes as having a "flat, somewhat handsome face." The author must have used this description at least 5 or 6 times. The mystery of who is threatening our heroine, Victoria is pretty easy to guess. Like the soap opera that this original story is based on, there is a lot of repetition - Victoria is threatened or sees something strange, she tells members of the Collins family or friends about the threats, followed by no one believing her, or if they do they chalk it up to her being a fragile, exhausted female (you can tell this was actually written by a man). This happens multiple times.
From what I've read about the Hermes Press re-releases of these novels, these reprints are supposed to have been re-proofed and error free, but I found numerous typos throughout this volume (for example, on the very first page, the word "cut" instead of "out," the word "diem" instead of "them" and several others).
If you are familiar with the show, you might enjoy these books. This one was a bit cheezy but so was the show at times. Familiarity with the show will also help you picture some of the characters and settings since as I implied above, the author's descriptive powers are somewhat lacking. I will probably go ahead and read the other one I purchased, "Barnabas Collins," but I am not sure I will purchase any more of these, at least not at full price.
I finished reading "Victoria Winters" this morning. Though it's #2 in the series, there is enough exposition and back story about what happened in the first book that you don't really need to have read volume 1 to understand what is going on. As a fan of the show, this was a fun read, but I have to say it is pretty poorly written. For one thing, the author has a limited vocabulary of adjectives. There is one character who the author repeatedly describes as having a "flat, somewhat handsome face." The author must have used this description at least 5 or 6 times. The mystery of who is threatening our heroine, Victoria is pretty easy to guess. Like the soap opera that this original story is based on, there is a lot of repetition - Victoria is threatened or sees something strange, she tells members of the Collins family or friends about the threats, followed by no one believing her, or if they do they chalk it up to her being a fragile, exhausted female (you can tell this was actually written by a man). This happens multiple times.
From what I've read about the Hermes Press re-releases of these novels, these reprints are supposed to have been re-proofed and error free, but I found numerous typos throughout this volume (for example, on the very first page, the word "cut" instead of "out," the word "diem" instead of "them" and several others).
If you are familiar with the show, you might enjoy these books. This one was a bit cheezy but so was the show at times. Familiarity with the show will also help you picture some of the characters and settings since as I implied above, the author's descriptive powers are somewhat lacking. I will probably go ahead and read the other one I purchased, "Barnabas Collins," but I am not sure I will purchase any more of these, at least not at full price.
March 17, 2023
Prompts this fits for reading challenges: continue a series already started, audiobook, paranormal mystery, based on a TV show/movie, female author, a character who wears glasses, misdirection, screamer/something you're afraid of, illness/medicine, m/c's name is in the title.
1960s, Maine.
Poor Victoria -- in both books one and two, she asserts that she saw something frightening, and then Elizabeth basically tells her off and insults her for reacting to the scary things. I realize that Victoria stays so that she can hopefully find some connection to her biological family, and yes, I realize this is literally based on a soap opera. But OMG, why would someone stay in a home where people dismiss literal life or death concerns so glibly? Well, I guess otherwise there wouldn't be 32 books to get through. LOL.
On that note, book two has a lot of the same patterns as the first book. Victoria sees something shocking, gets scared, reacts, and then the people around her dismiss her concerns. There are a handful of added characters -- with the family that moved in to rent the apartment on the property -- but otherwise it's very similar to book one. I see that these are free with Kindle Unlimited, at least the first dozen books. I think instead of spending Audible credits on them, I'll try that for book three and so on. That way if I get bored with the formulaic repetition, I can come back to it when I please. Wondering when the heck Barnabus is supposed to show up, though!
I'll admit I'm a little disappointed in this one. The first book was better. I found myself getting a little bored here and there as this played out. I'll try the third book on Kindle Unlimited. That way I can keep reading the series, without feeling like I wasted money on it, or that I have to rush to finish so I can read other things. I do want to continue the series; I'm just not in a big hurry about it. Seems like this will be better in smaller doses with other good reads in between.
1960s, Maine.
Poor Victoria -- in both books one and two, she asserts that she saw something frightening, and then Elizabeth basically tells her off and insults her for reacting to the scary things. I realize that Victoria stays so that she can hopefully find some connection to her biological family, and yes, I realize this is literally based on a soap opera. But OMG, why would someone stay in a home where people dismiss literal life or death concerns so glibly? Well, I guess otherwise there wouldn't be 32 books to get through. LOL.
On that note, book two has a lot of the same patterns as the first book. Victoria sees something shocking, gets scared, reacts, and then the people around her dismiss her concerns. There are a handful of added characters -- with the family that moved in to rent the apartment on the property -- but otherwise it's very similar to book one. I see that these are free with Kindle Unlimited, at least the first dozen books. I think instead of spending Audible credits on them, I'll try that for book three and so on. That way if I get bored with the formulaic repetition, I can come back to it when I please. Wondering when the heck Barnabus is supposed to show up, though!
I'll admit I'm a little disappointed in this one. The first book was better. I found myself getting a little bored here and there as this played out. I'll try the third book on Kindle Unlimited. That way I can keep reading the series, without feeling like I wasted money on it, or that I have to rush to finish so I can read other things. I do want to continue the series; I'm just not in a big hurry about it. Seems like this will be better in smaller doses with other good reads in between.
November 30, 2020
3 AND 1/2 STARS
While I enjoyed the first book a little more than this, the ending with the big twist was better in this book. Faithful characters and dialogue that feel right in line with the wonderful show, I can visualize each scene playing out perfectly on screen. Even though this felt a little too slow, I enjoyed the atmosphere and mystery revolving around the main character, Victoria Winters.
My big problem with the book was the large number of typos that could be found in nearly every chapter - even the very first page had one! The book's inset shows that there were two proofreaders (Eileen Sabrina Herman and Fey Wagner) who clearly did not do a very good job. Looking at the publisher's name, Daniel Herman, I can only assume that Eileen Sabrina Herman is related and Daniel should clearly hire someone else more qualified, because this short novel has dozens of errors. A simple, careful read-through would easily fix these issues!
I am not sure how enjoyable this book would be if the reader was not familiar or interested in the Dark Shadows mythos, but as a big fan, I will certainly be picking up more books in the series.
While I enjoyed the first book a little more than this, the ending with the big twist was better in this book. Faithful characters and dialogue that feel right in line with the wonderful show, I can visualize each scene playing out perfectly on screen. Even though this felt a little too slow, I enjoyed the atmosphere and mystery revolving around the main character, Victoria Winters.
My big problem with the book was the large number of typos that could be found in nearly every chapter - even the very first page had one! The book's inset shows that there were two proofreaders (Eileen Sabrina Herman and Fey Wagner) who clearly did not do a very good job. Looking at the publisher's name, Daniel Herman, I can only assume that Eileen Sabrina Herman is related and Daniel should clearly hire someone else more qualified, because this short novel has dozens of errors. A simple, careful read-through would easily fix these issues!
I am not sure how enjoyable this book would be if the reader was not familiar or interested in the Dark Shadows mythos, but as a big fan, I will certainly be picking up more books in the series.
October 15, 2019
I finished this up tonight, having started the lovingly read audiobook awash in the dulcet tones of Maggie Evans herself Kathryn Leigh Scott.
And I have to say, I liked this one FAR better than I did #1. For one it’s a WHOLE lot weirder with a whole plot based around an ex-boyfriend of Elizabeth coming to stay at “Collins House” with his two daughters. One an invalid and the other a red headed sex pot. Also ghosts and a serial killer. Because DARK SHADOWS!
For another it makes MUCH better use of this Earth-2 cast. Mixing up male leads while Earnest Collins is away on tour and giving everybody a lot more to do now that they are all established from the opening.
Though these still haven’t completely wowed me yet, I am starting to really enjoy this alternate Collinsport that runs parallel to the main TV continuity.
And I have to say, I liked this one FAR better than I did #1. For one it’s a WHOLE lot weirder with a whole plot based around an ex-boyfriend of Elizabeth coming to stay at “Collins House” with his two daughters. One an invalid and the other a red headed sex pot. Also ghosts and a serial killer. Because DARK SHADOWS!
For another it makes MUCH better use of this Earth-2 cast. Mixing up male leads while Earnest Collins is away on tour and giving everybody a lot more to do now that they are all established from the opening.
Though these still haven’t completely wowed me yet, I am starting to really enjoy this alternate Collinsport that runs parallel to the main TV continuity.
January 6, 2020
This is very much a "more of the same" kind of story, since it's nearly identical in tone and style as the first book. This isn't a bad thing by itself, but when the plot is lackluster and the overarching story doesn't progress, it makes for a more disappointing read.
Ross understands Gothic, though, with everyone being a suspect, or at least being suspicious. It had me guessing for about half of the novel, and then once I realized what was going on, I could see that Ross doesn't put much effort into raising hints. The most interesting thing about this series so far is the arc about Victoria's mystery heritage, but that doesn't move forward any in this book, and I understand this arc is dropped without explanation after book five. I hadn't planned on reading all of them, but I had pondered reading up to that book. Now I wonder....
Ross understands Gothic, though, with everyone being a suspect, or at least being suspicious. It had me guessing for about half of the novel, and then once I realized what was going on, I could see that Ross doesn't put much effort into raising hints. The most interesting thing about this series so far is the arc about Victoria's mystery heritage, but that doesn't move forward any in this book, and I understand this arc is dropped without explanation after book five. I hadn't planned on reading all of them, but I had pondered reading up to that book. Now I wonder....
July 9, 2025
Now that I’ve read the second book of the Dark Shadows series I know that each book will be more of the same and I am so here for it. I think I would have loved reading these growing up but hey I’m here now. It’s aesthetically right up my alley.
This book had more suspense but the love interests were not as intense - which is a good thing because a long series would need to mix it up to maintain novelty. The strangers were a fun addition with wondering about their character especially as they seem to exhibit several different contrasting behaviors. I enjoy that the protagonist is savvy and I also enjoy that everyone else underrates her because that invites the inner child. And when she finally has her moment a part of inner child was appeased. She’s 20 so it’s not aimed at kids I don’t think but it has a childlike innocence that is appealing. I’m continuing the series!
This book had more suspense but the love interests were not as intense - which is a good thing because a long series would need to mix it up to maintain novelty. The strangers were a fun addition with wondering about their character especially as they seem to exhibit several different contrasting behaviors. I enjoy that the protagonist is savvy and I also enjoy that everyone else underrates her because that invites the inner child. And when she finally has her moment a part of inner child was appeased. She’s 20 so it’s not aimed at kids I don’t think but it has a childlike innocence that is appealing. I’m continuing the series!
March 20, 2020
The 2nd Dark Shadows novel in the series.
While I enjoyed this one, it was not as good as the first novel in the series.
Carolyn and David are away on holiday. So Victoria, Elizabeth and Roger are the main characters here. (Matthew Morgan and Burke Devlin have small roles)
An old college friend of Elizabeth's comes to Collins House (not yet Collinwood) with his 2 daughters. One of which is very ill following a surgery for a brain tumour.
Meanwhile a young artist has popped up with one eye on painting the Collins House and the other eye on Victoria.
Of course Victoria is busy seeing ghosts and getting attacked....
Something is afoot at Collins House...
As with the first novel, I feel Roger's dialogue is the most like his t.v. counterpart.
A fun read.
While I enjoyed this one, it was not as good as the first novel in the series.
Carolyn and David are away on holiday. So Victoria, Elizabeth and Roger are the main characters here. (Matthew Morgan and Burke Devlin have small roles)
An old college friend of Elizabeth's comes to Collins House (not yet Collinwood) with his 2 daughters. One of which is very ill following a surgery for a brain tumour.
Meanwhile a young artist has popped up with one eye on painting the Collins House and the other eye on Victoria.
Of course Victoria is busy seeing ghosts and getting attacked....
Something is afoot at Collins House...
As with the first novel, I feel Roger's dialogue is the most like his t.v. counterpart.
A fun read.
July 30, 2024
No one wrote camp gothic horror/romance quite like Marilyn Ross (pen name for W. E. Daniel Ross) and no TV show portrayed camp, gothic horror/romance quite like "Dark Shadows" so it's little wonder that this series of books should prove so appealing to fans of both the genre and the show. The forever virginal governess Victoria Winters (who just happens to be stringing three men along) is convinced she's being stalked by a killer, but who could it be? Surrounded by so many suspects, not to mention a forlorn ghost, it's going to take all her courage to unravel the diabolical mystery! Great fun....but unfortunately this Hermes Press reprint contains so many typos and grammatical errors that they ultimately prove distracting.
August 22, 2024
Ok I hate giving books three or less stars, but this addition to the Dark Shadows series has so many typos it’s distracting. The amount of poor decisions made, delusions by the Collins family members, and conclusions jumped to in this story have me shaking my head. I can only suspend disbelief so much 😂 And really? Every male character in this book seems to fall in love with the main female character - Victoria Winters.
There is a pretty good twist in the end but I did see it coming a bit. So two stars instead of just one for how well the author captures the gothic mood of the characters and setting, plus a decent ending.
There is a pretty good twist in the end but I did see it coming a bit. So two stars instead of just one for how well the author captures the gothic mood of the characters and setting, plus a decent ending.
January 24, 2025
Pure popcorn, fluff and melodrama. Why do I keep giving these books 4 stars? Who knows. The women make silly decisions, the men are overbearing, demeaning and confrontational (though I think the author may have intended them to be attractive?), the twists are melodramatic and predictable, and the pages just fly by. It must be the same stuff that keeps people watching their stories every week on daytime TV. I will more than likely continue in this series.
August 3, 2021
Loved this one just as much as the previous! The saga continues with Victoria Winters at the eerie Collins' mansion with yet another trio of unsavory people coming to stay for a spell. When an acquaintance from Elizabeth's past arrives with his two daughters, one of whom is an invalid, mysterious happenings begin. Victoria has misgivings about the father and older daughter and gets involved with her investigating with help from a few friends. Of course, I highly recommend this one. I enjoyed the audible book read by Kathryn Leigh Scott. Will continue onward with the saga!
October 7, 2024
This is a very good series so far. The really supernatural aspects haven't show up yet, so we're really just getting gothic mysteries right now, but they are very entertaining. It's interesting to see new characters show up that were never in the TV series. I hope the series maintains this quality throughout, but it is a very long series, so we'll see.
In this volume three strangers show up to Collinwood, along with another stranger in town that somehow seems linked to the others. Twists and turns abound. Good read.
In this volume three strangers show up to Collinwood, along with another stranger in town that somehow seems linked to the others. Twists and turns abound. Good read.
June 12, 2020
This was a fun mix of new creepy drama in the life of Victoria Winters. There are new characters like a struggling artist and a father and his two adult daughters that look nothing like him, one of them is recovering from brain surgery and doesn't look too good. The artist has boundary issues, as in a lack of respect for boundaries and has a little too much mystery about him. Added to the mysterious happenings in the first book, you wonder who is trying to kill Victoria now?
November 29, 2023
This series started off nicely, I suppose because it was a side-novelization of the first episode of the TV series. This was more like 75% romance and 25% mystery. Romance is definitely not my cup of tea. Bores me to tears. However, it is Dark Shadows, so if you're a fan, you'll probably enjoy it as much as I did. The familiar characters come to life and behave as you'd expect them to. Not bad for trash reading.
December 13, 2017
There are no vampires or werewolves, and even what appears to be supernatural turns out to be a deception. This is a relaxing, non-challenging, fun read. You don't have to be a fan of Dark Shadows to enjoy it.
April 25, 2024
As a direct sequel to the first book in the series... it's good, but kind of repeats the plot of the first book. Like, what are the odds of the same thing happening twice? It also lacks some of the original characters that made the first book interesting. Still enjoyed it, but with those caveats.
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