Here's the review I posted on Amazon.com
Big Finish scores huge with their continuation of the "Dark Shadows" mythos. David Selby, Lara Parker, John Karlen, and Kathryn Leigh Scott reprise their famiiliar roles in this all new audio drama. The opening parallels the first episode of the TV show as Quentin returns home (listen for a surprise cameo by another DS actor in the opening scene). He returns to find his ancestral home of Collinwood deserted, the property of a demonic presence. He decides to join forces with Angelique to fight it.
The plot moves briskly through the 3 episodes. Each character is adeptly but succinctly re-introduced. The stories were designed to be accessible to the unitiated; newcomers to the town of Collinsport should have no trouble keeping track of who is who.
The mood is enhanced by a mixture of familiar and new music. The new pieces graft themselves seamlessly to the Robert Cobert classics. Fans will no doubt remember "I'll be With You Always", the Blue Whale music, and of course, "Quentin Theme".
The sound effects are also chilling. Most effective are the flock of birds [spoiler]that attack Willie and Quentin.[/spoiler]
Of course, the acting is top-notch. The play opens with the hauntingly familiar "Angelique laugh". The actors step into their roles as if no time had passed since the show wrapped.
I thought I knew what to expect from this play. The ending throws a curve that I would never have anticipated. In the end, I wound up enjoying the series more than I would have thought possible when I opened the wrapper. Believe me, I was eagerly anticipating the release of this story all summer long.
If you are a fan of the original show, you must own this disk. If you love gothic horror, you'll probably find many thrills and chills. Look for the next three stories in this series. The second, "Book of Temptation is immediately available.
