Dark Shadows by Marilyn Ross

The Paperback Library began releasing novels based on the TV series Dark Shadows in December 1966. There were thirty-three novels released through to 1972, all of them written by William Edward Daniel Ross under his pen name Marilyn Ross.

All of the novels, with the exception of House of Dark Shadows were part of one shared continuity separate from the history supplied in the original television series. House of Dark Shadows was an adaptation of the MGM film, House of Dark Shadows and as such, represented a separate continuity.

Most of the books follow a formula of a heroine arriving at, or already living at, Collinwood and falling in love with Barnabas Collins, not realizing that he's a vampire. The heroine subsequently finds herself endangered by some natural or supernatural threat requiring Barnabas to rescue her. By the story's conclusion, the heroine guesses or suspects that Barnabas is a vampire but still wants him anyway, prompting Barnabas to depart rather than involve her with his cursed existence.

An unresolved plot point that featured in both the television series and the novel series was the mystery of Victoria Winters origins. Ross had planned to reveal Victoria as Barnabas' long-lost daughter, conceived in the 1940s during a time when Barnabas found himself temporarily free of the vampire curse. Her biological mother, who died young, was the best friend of Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. However, when actress Alexandra Moltke left the television series in 1968, the editors of the book series instructed Ross to immediately remove the character without solving the mystery.

Many of the 1st printings of the novels featured covers with enframed production stills from the television show. Invariably, the photographs represented on the covers had little if anything to do with the actual stories contained within.

#	Title	Release Date	Heroine	Notes
1	Dark Shadows	December 1966	Victoria Winters	A partial re-telling of Victoria Winters arrival in Collinsport. Originally printed with an illustrated cover, subsequent editions featured a photographic cover featuring Alexandra Moltke with Jonathan Frid, although the character of Barnabas Collins does not appear. This is also the case with books 2 to 4. Collinwood is referred to here as Collins House.
2	Victoria Winters	March 1967	Victoria Winters
3	Strangers at Collins House	September 1967	Victoria Winters	Partially takes place in 1916.
4	The Mystery of Collinwood	January 1968	Victoria Winters
5	The Curse of Collinwood	May 1968	Victoria Winters	The only book in series not to be printed with a photographic cover. Derek and Esther Collns terrorize Collinsport as Zombies!
6	Barnabas Collins	November 1968	Margaret Collins	First book to feature Barnabas Collins. In the television series Barnabas was chained to his coffin in 1796 and not released until 1967, here Ross offers an alternate timeline in which the vampire was never held captive at all. Takes place in the early 1900s.
7	The Secret of Barnabas Collins	January 1969	Lady Clare Duncan	Takes place in 1870.
8	The Demon of Barnabas Collins	April 1969	Rita Glenn	The first book to present Barnabas in a heroic vein rather than as the villain, following the trend set by the television series.
9	The Foe of Barnabas Collins	July 1969	Paula Collins Jennings	Features the character of Chris Jennings, although presented here as a villain rather than the sympathetic victim depicted in the television series. It also features a rare appearance by Angelique. Takes place in 1910.
10	The Phantom and Barnabas Collins	September 1969	Maggie Evans	Takes place in 1880 (courtesy Maggie travelling through time!).
11	Barnabas Collins vs. the Warlock	October 1969	Maggie Evans	A homage to Henry James' 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw, a text also used in the television series for inspiration.
12	The Peril of Barnabas Collins	November 1969	Diana Hastings
13	Barnabas Collins and the Mysterious Ghost	January 1970	Diana Samson
14	Barnabas Collins and Quentin's Demon	February 1970	Lara Balfour	Introduces the character of Quentin Collins to the range. Takes place in 1895.
15	Barnabas Collins and the Gypsy Witch	March 1970	Roxanna Collins	Takes place in the 1890s.
16	Barnabas, Quentin and the Mummy's Curse	April 1970	Maggie Evans	Professor Anthony Collins awakens a shambling, bandage-draped Egyptian terror to prowl Collinwood, a classic horror subject which was never utilized on the TV show.
17	Barnabas, Quentin and the Avenging Ghost	May 1970	Carolyn Stoddard
18	Barnabas, Quentin and the Nightmare Assassin	June 1970	Carolyn Stoddard	Takes place in 1869, again courtesy time travel!
19	Barnabas, Quentin and the Crystal Coffin	July 1970	Betty Ward	A homage to Edgar Allan Poe's 1844 short story The Premature Burial, a text also used in the television series for inspiration. The bulk of the story takes place in 1897.
20	Barnabas, Quentin and the Witch's Curse	August 1970	Anita Burgess	Takes place in 1900.
21	Barnabas, Quentin and the Haunted Cave	September 1970	Harriet Turnbridge	Though most of the book is set in modern day, Harriet experiences strange dream sequences set in 1705.
22	Barnabas, Quentin and the Frightened Bride	October 1970	Ann Hayward	Takes place in 1920.
	House of Dark Shadows	October 1970		Novelisation. Several scenes cut from the film version were included. It also featured 16 pages of Black and White photos from the film's production.
23	Barnabas, Quentin and the Scorpio Curse	November 1970	Diana Collins
24	Barnabas, Quentin and the Serpent	December 1970	Irma Collins	Takes place in 1870.
25	Barnabas, Quentin and the Magic Potion	January 1971	Carolyn Stoddard	This story marks a sudden shift in the characterization of Quentin Collins, who up to this point in the range had been portrayed as an enemy of Barnabas.
26	Barnabas, Quentin and the Body Snatchers	February 1971	Marjorie Gray	This is the only book in the series told in the omniscient point of view. It also features a rare appearance by Julia Hoffman. As suggested by its title, a homage to Jack Finney's 1955 science fiction novel The Body Snatchers.
27	Barnabas, Quentin and Dr. Jekyll's Son	April 1971	Emily Collins	As suggested by its title, a homage to Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a text also used in the television series for inspiration. Takes place in 1908. Published the same month that Dark Shadows aired its final episode.
28	Barnabas, Quentin and the Grave Robbers	June 1971	Paula Sullivan	Takes place in 1830. First book published after Dark Shadows left the air.
29	Barnabas, Quentin and the Sea Ghost	August 1971	Norah Bliss	It features a rare appearance by Julia Hoffman and Professor Stokes.
30	Barnabas, Quentin and the Mad Magician	October 1971	Carolyn Stoddard
31	Barnabas, Quentin and the Hidden Tomb	December 1971	Ellen Drury	Takes place in 1866.
32	Barnabas, Quentin and the Vampire Beauty	March 1972	Adele Marriot

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