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Dark Shadows #13
Barnabas Collins and the Mysterious Ghost
Collinwood is plagued with a series of menacing events when a ballet troupe arrives there to perform for the summer tourists. One girl in particular, the beautiful Diana Samson, whom Barnabas has come to love, is repeatedly attacked by a mysterious, invisible presence.
When the star of the ballet is murdered, everyone is suspect -- including Diana and Barnabas. And when several graves are found opened, the old legend of the invisible ghost of Collinwood is revived.
As the attacks on Diana continue, Barnabas must find a way to stop them before she is murdered. But will he have to fight a human enemy -- or a supernatural force with powers greater than his own?
When the star of the ballet is murdered, everyone is suspect -- including Diana and Barnabas. And when several graves are found opened, the old legend of the invisible ghost of Collinwood is revived.
As the attacks on Diana continue, Barnabas must find a way to stop them before she is murdered. But will he have to fight a human enemy -- or a supernatural force with powers greater than his own?
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
About the author
Marilyn Ross
145 books64 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 26, 2018
Well I have to give this five stars because it made me laugh until tears ran, so that's an accomplishment! And in tribute to our author, I shall take after her and make heavy use of the exclamation point! Here are some fine examples of what made me so happy!
(Our heroine, Diana, a lovely ballerina, has come to Collinsport with her troupe of dancers! She meets Barnabas and is immediately smitten! Little does she know he is a 200 year old vampire!)
Barnabas was staring at her. "I shouldn't have kissed you."
She touched his arm. "I wanted you to,"she said gently. "It wasn't that I felt odd even before
then. And when you kissed me I imagined your lips to be weirdly cold."
"They sometimes are." he said. "My health is not quite normal."
Concern showed in her eyes. "You're not ill?"
"Not really ill," he assured her. "Rather a chronic condition. But nothing that should worry
you."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diana could no longer close her eyes to the fact that Barnabas was the one preying on the
village girls. And this was reinforced by the knowledge that his reflection had not shown in the
bar mirror. It seemed he was no normal human. He had complained of an illness. She now
thought she knew what it must be. Barnabas was one of the living dead. The tall handsome
Britisher bore the vampire taint. Strangely, she found it made no difference in her love for
him.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"When did you first guess about me?" asked Barnabas.
"I was first sure last night when your reflection did not show in the bar mirror," Diana said.
Barnabas nodded. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barnabas took her in his arms and touched his cold lips gently to hers. With infinite
compassion he smiled at her, then he indicated the empty coffin beside them with a nod.
"You almost make me forget the lonely hours I've spent in there, and the ones I must spend in
it over the years ahead."
"There must be a way to save you from that," she said, looking up at him.
"We'll worry about that later," he said. "I need to have a talk with Elizabeth, and you will be
late for rehearsal."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eleanor seemed in perfect health again, but she still showed a great deal of interest in
Barnabas. This troubled Diana, since she knew that Barnabas has used the pretty girl as
source of the blood supply he needed so desperately from time to time. But his only feeling
for her was one of casual friendship. (he only likes you as a FRIEND and a blood supply, so
back off, Eleanor, he's MY living dead guy!)
There is more! But this gives one a glimpse of the greatness of this book! I only regret that the cover is a fraud, because Quentin Collins who is pictured, does not appear here at all! I need to find some more of these fine novels at once!
(Our heroine, Diana, a lovely ballerina, has come to Collinsport with her troupe of dancers! She meets Barnabas and is immediately smitten! Little does she know he is a 200 year old vampire!)
Barnabas was staring at her. "I shouldn't have kissed you."
She touched his arm. "I wanted you to,"she said gently. "It wasn't that I felt odd even before
then. And when you kissed me I imagined your lips to be weirdly cold."
"They sometimes are." he said. "My health is not quite normal."
Concern showed in her eyes. "You're not ill?"
"Not really ill," he assured her. "Rather a chronic condition. But nothing that should worry
you."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diana could no longer close her eyes to the fact that Barnabas was the one preying on the
village girls. And this was reinforced by the knowledge that his reflection had not shown in the
bar mirror. It seemed he was no normal human. He had complained of an illness. She now
thought she knew what it must be. Barnabas was one of the living dead. The tall handsome
Britisher bore the vampire taint. Strangely, she found it made no difference in her love for
him.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"When did you first guess about me?" asked Barnabas.
"I was first sure last night when your reflection did not show in the bar mirror," Diana said.
Barnabas nodded. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barnabas took her in his arms and touched his cold lips gently to hers. With infinite
compassion he smiled at her, then he indicated the empty coffin beside them with a nod.
"You almost make me forget the lonely hours I've spent in there, and the ones I must spend in
it over the years ahead."
"There must be a way to save you from that," she said, looking up at him.
"We'll worry about that later," he said. "I need to have a talk with Elizabeth, and you will be
late for rehearsal."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eleanor seemed in perfect health again, but she still showed a great deal of interest in
Barnabas. This troubled Diana, since she knew that Barnabas has used the pretty girl as
source of the blood supply he needed so desperately from time to time. But his only feeling
for her was one of casual friendship. (he only likes you as a FRIEND and a blood supply, so
back off, Eleanor, he's MY living dead guy!)
There is more! But this gives one a glimpse of the greatness of this book! I only regret that the cover is a fraud, because Quentin Collins who is pictured, does not appear here at all! I need to find some more of these fine novels at once!
February 14, 2025
This was another good volume, but they are definitely following a pattern with a female lead, a mystery, etc. which is fine. I am getting a little tired of women constantly falling in love with Barnabas, but I suppose it's his vampire magnetism or something.
One point I will make regarding the writing. The words "attractive" and "handsome" should have been banned from these books because it's like a character can't speak without the reader being reminded they're attractive or handsome. We usually get it after the first time or two. But that's just me being crabby.
In any case, I do like this series and plan to read them all.
One point I will make regarding the writing. The words "attractive" and "handsome" should have been banned from these books because it's like a character can't speak without the reader being reminded they're attractive or handsome. We usually get it after the first time or two. But that's just me being crabby.
In any case, I do like this series and plan to read them all.
December 30, 2023
Yes, these are campy and awful, but they’re also a good way to bolster my book tally for the year.
January 16, 2012
This book in #13 in a series of 32 Dark Shadows novels. By this time, author Dan ("Marilyn") Ross has established his own tried-and-true formula. The stories all follow pretty much the same pattern:
(1) The heroine arrives at, or is already living at, Collinwood.
(2) The heroine falls in love with Barnabas Collins, not realizing that he's a vampire.
(3) The heroine finds herself endangered by some natural or supernatural threat.
(4) Barnabas saves the day.
(5) The heroine guesses or suspects that he's a vampire but still wants him anyway. Barnabas, however, chooses to depart rather than involve her in his cursed existence. The girl is sad.
BARNABAS COLLINS AND THE MYSTERIOUS GHOST follows this formula. The heroine is ballerina Diana Sampson, who arrives at present-day Collinwood to perform at a show in Collinwood's "haunted" chapel. Someone begins making attacks on Diana's life. She can't decide whether it's a supernatural threat or a living person. She falls in love with Barnabas and being smarter than Maggie Evans----Maggie, after all this time, still hasn't caught a clue!---figures out almost immediately that he's a vampire. But Diana still wants him anyway...
And so on and so forth. The formula is beginning to wear a little thin. However in the next book---BARNABAS COLLINS AND QUENTIN'S DEMON---Ross will try something new, thank God, and restore my faith in the series.
(1) The heroine arrives at, or is already living at, Collinwood.
(2) The heroine falls in love with Barnabas Collins, not realizing that he's a vampire.
(3) The heroine finds herself endangered by some natural or supernatural threat.
(4) Barnabas saves the day.
(5) The heroine guesses or suspects that he's a vampire but still wants him anyway. Barnabas, however, chooses to depart rather than involve her in his cursed existence. The girl is sad.
BARNABAS COLLINS AND THE MYSTERIOUS GHOST follows this formula. The heroine is ballerina Diana Sampson, who arrives at present-day Collinwood to perform at a show in Collinwood's "haunted" chapel. Someone begins making attacks on Diana's life. She can't decide whether it's a supernatural threat or a living person. She falls in love with Barnabas and being smarter than Maggie Evans----Maggie, after all this time, still hasn't caught a clue!---figures out almost immediately that he's a vampire. But Diana still wants him anyway...
And so on and so forth. The formula is beginning to wear a little thin. However in the next book---BARNABAS COLLINS AND QUENTIN'S DEMON---Ross will try something new, thank God, and restore my faith in the series.
October 25, 2009
Back in the day, Dark Shadows gothic phrases like "...and I can hear the soft whispers and the furtive footsteps in every dark corner..." would have my little teenage heart aflutter. However, those days are long gone and while I do appreciate the descriptive language in this book, I found the story to be just OK and pretty formulaic at this point in the DS book series universe.
For all intents and purposes, the story could have been about any people, not those exclusively at Collinwood. The only ties are those of visitors to the estate and the heroine falling in love with Barnabas each and every time in the story and remarking on his cold, cold lips. Aside from that, the main story usually takes place about characters not introduced into the DS soap opera. While I appreciate the author's efforts to keep the franchise saturated with all things DS, I found myself disappointed in this effort.
I did get a mention of Amy, however, and I believe this was the first one. But that was all it was, a mention. No story around her or David or Maggie.
Not only that, Quentin, who is pictured on the book cover, is not in the story. That is either a brilliant marketing strategy or lazy graphic artists.
I'll continue with the series - why not, I have all the books, but the remaining will be read with alot of distance between each.
For all intents and purposes, the story could have been about any people, not those exclusively at Collinwood. The only ties are those of visitors to the estate and the heroine falling in love with Barnabas each and every time in the story and remarking on his cold, cold lips. Aside from that, the main story usually takes place about characters not introduced into the DS soap opera. While I appreciate the author's efforts to keep the franchise saturated with all things DS, I found myself disappointed in this effort.
I did get a mention of Amy, however, and I believe this was the first one. But that was all it was, a mention. No story around her or David or Maggie.
Not only that, Quentin, who is pictured on the book cover, is not in the story. That is either a brilliant marketing strategy or lazy graphic artists.
I'll continue with the series - why not, I have all the books, but the remaining will be read with alot of distance between each.
June 15, 2024
These old Dark Shadows books pale in comparison to Big Finish's audio dramas. Unlike Big Finish's audio dramas, these old books do not tie into the TV show beyond sharing a handful of characters (mostly Barnabas). The rest of the Collins family has little to do with the plot, and usually are either just standing around or serve as part of the framing of the story while Barnabas gets to actually be part of the story. Generally some young lady is in town and she falls in love with Barnabas. She doesn't realize he is a vampire, but she is in danger from some threat, which usually presents itself as supernatural. The heroine figures out that Barnabas is a vampire but doesn't care, and then Barnabas saves the day, revealing that the "supernatural" threat was just a natural one (almost like Scooby-Doo). Barnabas leaves.
Yep, this one follows the formula, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. A ballet troupe is staying at Collinwood, and one of them gets murdered, and another one falls in love with Barnabas, convinced she can cure him of vampirism. Despite the ease in which she figures out that he's a vampire, everyone else around is oblivious. And what is a former carny doing doing as a professional dancer? Where did he get that training?
Yep, this one follows the formula, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. A ballet troupe is staying at Collinwood, and one of them gets murdered, and another one falls in love with Barnabas, convinced she can cure him of vampirism. Despite the ease in which she figures out that he's a vampire, everyone else around is oblivious. And what is a former carny doing doing as a professional dancer? Where did he get that training?
April 17, 2019
Boy, when "Marilyn" Ross found a formula, he rode that sucker like he was in the Kentucky Derby. Let's start with the cover. Quentin is pictured with Barnabas. Quentin is not in the book. In order that I can justify these books with the series in my head, I've decided two things: first, the books definitely take place in Parallel Time; and, second, there is some kind of paradox that makes this Parallel Time reset like a video game at the end of each book. I've decided that second point because no one at Collinwood ever seems to remember Barnabas being around recently--only that he bears a striking resemblance to the painting of his "ancestor" in the entrance room at Collinwood. When I read these books, I hear the soundtrack from the TV series in my head, but the last chapter usually causes my brain to segue into the soundtrack from Scooby Doo. It would take more space than I have hear to list all the plot inconsistancies and dopey character decisions contained in this book. Needless to say, "Marilyn" outdid himself. (Which is exactly the kind of dialogue he would give one of his characters.)
January 17, 2016
ere's another instance in this series where the cover photo is inaccurate. In this case it shows both Barnabas and Quentin, yet Quentin is not anywhere in the book. In a number of the early books it shows Barnabas on the cover but he hadn't yet appeared in the storyline. Someone was sort of sloppy in their work in my opinion.
The story involves a ballet troupe that has come to Collinwood. Elizabeth is allowing them to set up on the grounds. Diana is one of the members of the troupe. Maggie Evans is now the governess. Barnabas is at the Old House and has a servant named Hare.
It's apparent that the ballet group has a lot of internal problems. Barnabas tells Diane about the legend of the double suicide at the chapel and widow's peak. Diana ends up getting attacked quite a few times in the book. Other people end up being killed, and Diana ends up falling for Barnabas.
The police chief and many of the townspeople think Barnabas is behind all of the trouble. There also may be a thug walking around attacking people. It's a rather complicated story, but another good one in this series.
The story involves a ballet troupe that has come to Collinwood. Elizabeth is allowing them to set up on the grounds. Diana is one of the members of the troupe. Maggie Evans is now the governess. Barnabas is at the Old House and has a servant named Hare.
It's apparent that the ballet group has a lot of internal problems. Barnabas tells Diane about the legend of the double suicide at the chapel and widow's peak. Diana ends up getting attacked quite a few times in the book. Other people end up being killed, and Diana ends up falling for Barnabas.
The police chief and many of the townspeople think Barnabas is behind all of the trouble. There also may be a thug walking around attacking people. It's a rather complicated story, but another good one in this series.
March 29, 2015
Marilyn Ross's books have been a favorite since my childhood. Despite the obvious literary limitations of the author, there's nothing quite so gothic as curling up with a Dark Shadows novel in the long nights of late winter. Period pieces with somewhat Scooby-Dooish endings, these books never fail to please me. Barnabas Collins is one of the most successful vampire prototypes ever.
December 31, 2018
This crazy novel made me laugh out loud several times--a response the author likely did not intend. Once again, the heroine crushes on Barnabas, casually overlooking his vampire curse, or "taint" as she considers it. She's fine with him putting other women in a hypnotic trace and drinking their blood without their concent or knowledge. She's willing to offer up her own blood to this Georgian Bill Cosby, and even give up her career as a ballerina for this "tall handsome Britisher" that she has known for just few days. But you know...romance. In the cockeyed world of this novel, the response to assaults that leave the victim unconscious is to be more careful in the future. Getting Barnabas to pledge to protect you is also a good idea. And this ballet they're putting on in the abandoned chapel on the Collingwood grounds makes no sense. With the exception of the director, Mary Wentworth, no one's ballet background is ever discussed. Apparently one of the dancers, Alex Carter, was a carnival barker in his past life! A common career move? The composer, Stefan Emmon ("verging on the hippie type...[with] brown hair long and unkempt") is present but no musicians are ever mentioned. In this narrative fog, we follow the comings and goings of injenue Diana Samson as she dodges murder attempts and dreams of curing Barnabas of his "taint." Brave girl, may you find the man of your life in some future novel. I recommend a "romance" rather than a "gothic" though. Easier on the throat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2022
Bananas Collins and the Mysterious Ghost
I liked the book very much. I liked it because it kept me wondering who the killer was. I didn't like the fact that Elizabeth and Roger didn't have a lot to say in the book. I love the narrator, she does a good voice,changing between the characters.
I liked the book very much. I liked it because it kept me wondering who the killer was. I didn't like the fact that Elizabeth and Roger didn't have a lot to say in the book. I love the narrator, she does a good voice,changing between the characters.
March 21, 2021
-So Quentin is not in this one, despite his picture (with Barnabas) being on the cover.-
This one follows the formula these books have had, since Barnabas appeared in them.
A ballet troupe is at Collinwood, to perform during the summer. Ballerina Diana Samson falls for Barnabas very quickly. Even when she finds out Barnabas is snacking on young ladies because he's a vampire, it matters not.
Meanwhile, it seems a ghost is haunting the troupe and Diana's life is in danger.
Ross can create a mood. Though for once, the weather is good at Collinsport for a change.
Regular characters take a backseat once again in this one.
Roger is pitch perfect in his few scenes, as is Carolyn. Same with Elizabeth.
Maggie, David and Amy have a couple of cameos.
It's a fun read. Typical Marilyn Ross. And that's a good thing.
This one follows the formula these books have had, since Barnabas appeared in them.
A ballet troupe is at Collinwood, to perform during the summer. Ballerina Diana Samson falls for Barnabas very quickly. Even when she finds out Barnabas is snacking on young ladies because he's a vampire, it matters not.
Meanwhile, it seems a ghost is haunting the troupe and Diana's life is in danger.
Ross can create a mood. Though for once, the weather is good at Collinsport for a change.
Regular characters take a backseat once again in this one.
Roger is pitch perfect in his few scenes, as is Carolyn. Same with Elizabeth.
Maggie, David and Amy have a couple of cameos.
It's a fun read. Typical Marilyn Ross. And that's a good thing.
April 5, 2021
a ballet troupe comes to Collinwood!
Is a tragedy of the past linked to the horrors of the present?
Enjoyable mystery with good atmosphere, snappy dialogue, and plenty of red herrings. One of the best of the Dark Shadows series thus far.
Is a tragedy of the past linked to the horrors of the present?
Enjoyable mystery with good atmosphere, snappy dialogue, and plenty of red herrings. One of the best of the Dark Shadows series thus far.
June 8, 2013
Don't know that I can take many more of these. So formulaic. I think Quentin comes into the next one so that will mix it up a little.
November 6, 2013
Good story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews