Dark Passages

Gothic undertones and a removed voice mark Scott's first novel, a thinly veiled reminiscence of her star turn on the 1960s supernatural soap opera Dark Shadows. Meg Harrison is a closeted vampire who only feeds on animals. She flees farm life for the big city to become a Playboy bunny and join the cast of Dark Passages, a daytime show with vampires. A merry-go-round of supporting characters and events adds detail if not depth. Scott plows through the story arc as though it were a sequel to her memoir, The Bunny Years, rather than fiction meant to entertain. Vegetarian Meg is a sheep in vamp's clothing and unlikely to appeal to paranormal romance or horror fans, but her story will be a hit with Dark Shadows aficionados whose appetites have been whetted by news of Tim Burton's forthcoming film adaptation of the show. (Aug.)