07-23-2010, 01:11 PM
I totally agree with you about the witchcraft, etc stuff. There seemed to be a obsession in the 70s with gothics that contained plots about the occult and Satan. Those types of books totally turn me off as well. Reincarnation plots, too.
The classic artwork for these books are an art genre unto themselves. I think they're highly collectible. In fact, there is at least one blog dedicated to the covers of the gothic romantic suspense books ("Women Running from Houses")
There is a certain formula with gothics, but I think a talented author can take the formula and mold it to fit her needs and be unique and very enjoyable.
If you google: "Mystery File gothic romantic suspense paperbacks", a treasure trove of gothic novels (some, not all) from the 1960s through the 1980s are listed.
The classic artwork for these books are an art genre unto themselves. I think they're highly collectible. In fact, there is at least one blog dedicated to the covers of the gothic romantic suspense books ("Women Running from Houses")
There is a certain formula with gothics, but I think a talented author can take the formula and mold it to fit her needs and be unique and very enjoyable.
If you google: "Mystery File gothic romantic suspense paperbacks", a treasure trove of gothic novels (some, not all) from the 1960s through the 1980s are listed.