Barnabas, Quentin and the Frightened Bride - Book 22

Barnabas, Quentin and the Frightened Bride by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1970

Ann and John Hayward's honeymoon at
Collinwood slowly turns into a series of
nightmares.

Soon after their arrival, John, who is re-
covering from a war injury, falls victim to
strange, violent spells. In a fit of irrational
jealousy, he accuses his wife of falling in love
with Barnabas Collins.

Meanwhile, a series of attacks on her life
frighten Ann into believing John is trying to
kill her. Though tormented by doubts of
John's sanity, she believes his warning that
Barnabas is a vampire. Ann nevertheless
accepts help from Barnabas - and unknow-
ingly becomes the prey to the evil forces at
Collinwood!

Lets break this down, shall we.

Firstly, John Hayward is too cheap to take his wife anywhere good for their honeymoon. I see nothing romantic at all about spending ones first few weeks of marriage around a bunch of angry people you don't know. (that's for Thanksgiving)

Secondly, the only irrational thing about John's jealousy is that it is about Barnabas Collins. How can you suspect your woman of falling for Barnabas when Quentin "Man of Action" is staying in the same house. I have seen that man violently tear a decorator sword from the wall to defend himself and back HARD into a doorknob with barely a flinch. What woman wouldn't fall for that?!

Thirdly, and most importantly, Barnabas Collins is the worst vampire of all time. Why does everyone always "suspect" him of being a vampires? Because he is so painfully obvious with his "I won't be back until after sunset.", "I'll be out of town during the daylight." and "Oh, by the way, I'm not a vampire." stuff. That man really needs to learn a little about playing it close to the vest.

Email for a Reader

I just received my first email from a reader. I was so exited I wanted to share ...

I’m a 53yr old married biker dude who just so happens to love the old Gothic Romances. My wife loves books generally reserved as “guy books” so we really have our roles turned around but hey, it works for us. I really enjoyed going through your web site and blowing up every book cover to take a closer look. I appreciated your comments on the books. I sure hope you keep adding book covers! Are there many people interested in Gothic Romance? I feel like I’m out there all alone until I see a website like yours. Usually they have long since become inactive but you are going on strong. That is refreshing for me. Keep it up!

Thanks!

Tecumseh, Kansas

Thanks Clark. Glad you enjoy the site.

Barnabas, Quentin and the Nightmare Assassin - Book 18

Barnabas, Quentin and the NIghtmare Assassin by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1970

Carolyn Stoddard is knocked unconscious
when the sports car she and Barnbas are rid-
ing in skids on a patch of ice. She regains con-
sciousness in Collinwood with Barnabas and
Quentin Collins at her side - but the year is
1870! And Collinwood is being terrorized by a
savage Killer. Carolyn likes Quentin and re-
fuses to believe that even in werewolf form he
could be the murderer. But even Quentin is
convinced of his own guilt. The old family
lawyer hires someone to kill him. Several days
later, before he can reveal the assassin's name,
the lawyer dies. Quentin has signed his own
death sentence, marked for death by an un-
known killer.

BARNABAS, QUENTIN AND THE
NIGHTMARE ASSASSIN in the eighteenth
in a series of thrilling novels based on ABC-
TV's popular suspense drama, DARK
SHADOWS. For a complete list, see page 2
of this book.

I believe I have actually read this one. But even with the moment by moment back over synopsis, I can't remember it every well. The one thing I do remember is that the "sports car" the back cover refers to is a station wagon, Barnabas, it seems, is constantly being referred to as "handsome" and Caroline seems to want to shag her own cousins. Distant or know, ick.

Best thing about this one? Take a look at the mustache on Roger! Isn't it fabulous. Now there's a real man for you!

Barnabas, Quentin and the Mummy's Curse - Book 16

Barnabas, Quentin and the Mummy's Curse by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1970

When Professor Anthony Collins decides
to catalog his Egyptian relics at Collinwood,
he brings with him the mummy of King Re-
hotip, who "died" over 2000 years ago.
Only the professor knows (and everyone who
just saw the quotes around the word dead)
that Rehotip is really in a state of suspended
animation. One night, the professor brings the
mummy to life. (of course he does) Suddenly a
young girl is killed. The police suspect Quentin
Collins. Maggie Evans, certain the killer is the
mummy wants to warn the police. Professor Collins
threatens to accuse Barnabas if she does.
Frightened into silence, Maggie lives in ter-
ror, wondering if she will be the next victim.

Okay, this is the Collins family. They live in Collinwood. They live in a town called Collinsport. Can't they just hush this stuff up like a Kennedy would? Surely there is benefit to being super rich, living in a house everyone in town is too spooked to go near and, most importantly of all, being the biggest employer around. I mean, what's a little bit of "the walking dead" to sixty thousand a year at the Collins family shipyard.

Barnabas Collins and the Gypsy Witch - Book 15

Barnabas Collins and the Gypsy Witch by Marilyn (Dan) Ross
published by Paperback Library
Copyright 1970

Warned by a gypsy witch that violent
death will surround her, Roxanna Collins
turns to her distant cousin, Barnabas, for
help.

But Barnabas is also in trouble. For when
Roxanna's father and brother are murdered
suspicion centers on Barnabas. Even Rox-
anna, who feels she is under some strange
spell, soon begins to doubt the man she has
come to love.

To save his life, Barnabas must prove to
the police - and to Roxanna - that he is inno-
cent. And he must find the key to the mad-
ness and mystery surrounding Collinwood
before Roxanne becomes the next victim in
a nightmare of evil.

BARNABAS COLLINS AND THE GYPSY WITCH is the fif-
teenth in a series of thrilling novels based on ABC-TV's
suspense drama, DARK SHADOWS.

Okay, Barnabas Collins is a vampire. Why does he care if the police as suspicious of him for a crime? Shouldn't he just kill them? I mean, if I were ever a vampire, I would just kill them. All of them. Roxanna, her father, her brother, the police. Everybody really. Then I'd kill the Gypsy Witch for revealing my agenda.