We’re deep into spooky season and have I got a great book to accompany you on your spooky October journey! I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of “A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls” by Fiona Dodwell and let me tell you, it was a good time.
You may remember my recent review of “Dollcraft” by Patti Negri, and I’m not going to lie, there is a touch of overlap. One could almost say that “A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls” is in conversation with “Dollcraft.” However, where “Dollcraft” takes a turn and explores the craft of making magical dolls, “Haunted Dolls” turns to look at the portrayal of dolls in literature and movies.
Dodwell does a fantastic job of condensing the history of dolls and how they can become the subject of hauntings and curses. She openly states that she didn’t begin with an overwhelming interest in potentially haunted dolls, but by the end of the book Dodwell is an active enthusiast with a doll of her own. “Haunted Dolls” explores the history of relatively well-known dolls, such as Robert the Doll and Annabell the Doll, then delves deeper with lesser-known dolls like, Mandy the Doll and Charley. Throughout these sections Dodwell features quotes from interviews she did to learn more on the subject, including Patti Negri! Yes, they are in literal conversation, not just figurative!
Now for me, “Haunted Dolls” truly shines when Dodwell moves into the influence and presence of dolls in film. Not only does she provide delightful overviews of films featuring dolls from 1929 through 2024, but Dodwell includes interviews with Don Mancini, the director behind “Child’s Play” and Jennifer Tilly, the actress who plays Tiffany in the “Child’s Play” franchise, A.D. Calvo, the director of “The Doll in the Dark” (also known as “The Melancholy Fantastic”), and the director of the “Robert the Doll” films, Andrew Jones. Although lacking in interviews, Dodwell’s exploration of dolls in literature features an eye-opening number of novels dating from 1975 to 2020.
“A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls” by Fiona Dodwell is a welcome addition to the expanding topics of haunted dolls and the paranormal in popular culture. Loaded with interviews and research, it is a perfect read for this October!
You can learn more here.
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Intrigued by all the dolls? Click the link below and enter for your chance to win a copy of “Dollcraft” by Patti Negri! Contest end October 20, 2025 at 11:59pm Eastern!
