The Path of Fate (Dark Shadows (Big Finish)) [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Stephen Mark Rainey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2009 | Series: Dark Shadows (Big Finish) (Book 6)

The master tells me that when Quentin Collins finds my heart, I can come back... Over a century ago, the first Quentin Collins built a stairway to traverse time, opening the way to countless realms of past and fortune. Now a new stairway has appeared at Collinwood, and the present-day Quentin is drawn to explore its dark path, forging an unlikely alliance with Angelique. Can she use her powers to help him, even at the risk of her own damnation?

THE PATH OF FATE is an audio production written by Stephen Mark Rainey, based on the classic DARK SHADOWS TV serial, featuring the talents of original series actors David Selby  (Quentin Collins) and Lara Parker (Angelique Bouchard Collins).

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen Mark Rainey is author of the novels BALAK, THE LEBO COVEN, DARK SHADOWS: DREAMS OF THE DARK (with Elizabeth Massie), BLUE DEVIL ISLAND, and THE NIGHTMARE FRONTIER; the short story collections FUGUE DEVIL & OTHER WEIRD HORRORS, THE LAST TRUMPET, LEGENDS OF THE NIGHT, OTHER GODS, and THE GAKI & OTHER HUNGRY SPIRITS; the scripts for three DARK SHADOWS audio dramas (THE PATH OF FATE, CURSE OF THE PHARAOH, and BLOOD DANCE); and over 90 published works of short fiction. For ten years, he edited the award-winning DEATHREALM magazine, and has edited three anthologies (SONG OF CTHULHU, DEATHREALMS, and EVERMORE). Mark lives in Greensboro, NC.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Big Finish Productions; Unabridged edition (June 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184435377X
• ISBN-13: 978-1844353774
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #691,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The writer is not the infamous Stephen King antihero Mort Rainey, but the far more nefarious author of the novels Dark Shadows: Dreams of the Dark (with Elizabeth Massie, HarperCollins, 1999), Balak (Wildside Books, 2000), The Lebo Coven (Thomson Gale/Five Star Books, 2004), The Nightmare Frontier (Sarob Press, 2006, and in e-book format by Crossroads Press, 2010), and Blue Devil Island (Thomson Gale/Five Star Books, 2007); three short story collections; and over 80 published works of short fiction.

Those with long memories may recall that I edited Deathrealm magazine, from 1987 to 1997. In its decade-long history, Deathrealm won a bunch of nice awards and featured hundreds of short stories, poems, and essays by authors ranging from the most established professionals to young, aspiring first-timers, many of whom proceeded to carve out names for themselves in the horror/dark fantasy field.

In 2004, I edited a new anthology for Delirium Books, titled Deathrealms, which features a wide selection of short stories from the magazine. I've edited a couple of other anthologies as well. The Song of Cthulhu (Chaosium, 2001) features 20 stories of Lovecraftian horror, and in 2006, I co-edited (with James Robert Smith) a new anthology for Arkham House titled Evermore, which features short stories about Edgar Allan Poe.

In summer, 2008, Dark Regions Press released a new collection of my short fiction, titled Other Gods, featuring 16 of my tales. Dark Regions is scheduled to release another collection of my short fiction, titled The Gaki & Other Hungry Spirits in 2011.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the audio dramas, July 4, 2009

By 

R. Lai - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Path of Fate (Dark Shadows (Big Finish)) (Audio CD)

This is the best of the audio dramas done by Big Finish. Although Quentin (David Selby) figures very prominently in the plot, the tale principally revolves about Angelique (Lara Parker). Written by Stephen Mark Rainey, the storyline provides great insight into Angelique's character. Both Parker and Selby give superb performances.

Chronologically, the story apparently takes place after the audio drama RETURN TO COLLINWOOD. The plot ties very neatly into the "stairwy through time" storyline from the original series.

Rainey is well known horror writer who often uses elements of H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos in his fiction. Although full of Lovecratian allusions, there is only one overt Mythos reference, a ataue of the god Dagon. The plot also brings backs Diabolos, the version of Satan from the TV series. Diabolos is served by Hounds of Hell, who are very reminiscent of the Hounds of Tindalos in the Cthulhu Mythos.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining, August 1, 2009

By 

dswoman40 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Path of Fate (Dark Shadows (Big Finish)) (Audio CD)

Angelique and Quentin are my favorite Dark Shadows characters. I loved hearing Lara Parker and David Selby read the story. I found the story engaging and easy to visualize. I bought two of the stories; I will probably buy more. Also, I like that fact that it's only about an hour long.