Dark Shadows BooksDark Shadows Books
Starting in 1966, Paperback Library published a successful series of Gothic-themed novels based on the TV show Dark Shadows. The series of 32 novels (plus the novelization of the film House of Dark Shadows) was written by Canadian author Dan Ross, using the pen name Marilyn Ross.
The first five volumes featured Victoria Winters as their focus character, as the orphaned young woman settled in at Collinwood to work as a governess and to search for some clues about her roots. Just like on the TV show, despite a few red herrings, she never found out who her parents were: When Alexandra Moltke left the show, Vicki was written out of the book series and Maggie Evans moved to Collinwood to work as governess. However, in the early 1990s, Dan Ross disclosed the story line he wanted to include in the series--one in which Victoria finally learned the secrets of her past. Click here to read that story.
Book # 1
Dark Shadows
First Printing: December 1966
Victoria Winters arrives at Collins House (called Collinwood in later volumes) to serve as governess to young David Collins. Visiting the house is Ernest Collins, who is grieving for his wife. (Elizabeth and Roger's cousin Ernest was not a character on the TV show.) In no time, Victoria finds herself falling in love with Ernest, though she is the focus of a number of mysterious attacks and wonders just how Ernest became a widower....
Note: This volume was originally printed before Jonathan Frid joined the cast of Dark Shadows as vampire Barnabas Collins. Its original cover only featured a painting of Vicki in front of Collinwood. After Barnabas became extremely popular, this volume (as well as numbers 2 through 4) was reprinted with a photo cover featuring Frid and Alexandra Moltke. Even though Frid/Barnabas is featured on these covers, Barnabas is not in any of the stories of these first five books. (He joined the cast of characters in the sixth book, apporopriately titled Barnabas Collins, which only featured a cameo appearance by Victoria.)
Book # 2
Victoria Winters
First Printing: March 1967
While violinist Ernest in away on tour, his mansion near Collinwood is rented to Henry Francis, and his two daughters. When cruel attacks on her begin, Victoria wonders if Francis might be a murderer. She wants to put her trust in the handsome artist Paul Caine but fears that he too is a suspect.
Book # 3
Strangers at Collins House
First Printing: September 1967
When Uncle Henry Collins, arrives to spend the summer, Victoria thinks she may finally have a clue to her identity.Henry presents Victoria with jewels which once belonged to a woman she strongly resembles. Then Victoria becomes the target of a series of strange accidents that threaten her life.
Book # 4
Mystery of Collinwood
First Printing: January 1968
Roger and Elizabeth's brother Mark arrives at Collinwood under the alias Professor Mark Veno. (Mark is another character who was never mentioned on the TV show.)Veno, a hypnotist, wants his daughter Linda to marry Ernest and sees Victoria as a threat. Soon the legendary Phantom Mariner is seen haunting Collinwood and Victoria finds herself once again threatened with death.
Book # 5
Curse of Collinwood
First Printing: May 1968
After she receives the shocking news that Ernest has been killed in a plane crash, Victoria fears that she is losing her mind as she begins to see zombies wandering the grounds of Collinwood. She turns her romantic attentions to Burke Devlin, a Collinsport resident with a mysterious past.
Note: This volume was only published with the above-pictured painting cover; there was no corresponding volume with a photo cover. A couple of the future volumes included brief appearances by Victoria Winters, but she never graced another cover.