Kathryn is a supporting character and the false antagonist in the third Goosebumps book, Monster Blood, and its television adaptation. Although she does not make any other physical appearances outside her debut novella, Kathryn is later mentioned by her great-nephew in Monster Blood II, Monster Blood III, and Monster Blood IV. Despite only appearing in the first Monster Blood book, Aunt Kathryn's actions remain ultimately pivotal for the remainder of the sub-series.
While his parents find a new home, Evan Ross and his dog Trigger are left in the care of Kathryn - Evan's great aunt. While staying at her place, Evan suspects Kathryn of being something evil, and presumes witchcraft. However, it is revealed that Kathryn was actually cursed, a slave to the witch Sarabeth, who disguised herself as a black cat. As a result, the witch forces Kathryn to curse a mysterious goo called "Monster Blood," but vaguely warns Evan of its "dangerous" properties.
History[]
For over twenty years, Kathryn has been the slave of Sarabeth, a witch disguised as her pet black cat. Sarabeth took away Kathryn's hearing and refused to let her learn sign language to make her more dependent on Sarabeth.
Kathryn's family and loved ones thought that she was just eccentric and mean, but Kathryn was actually hiding the secret of Sarabeth from everyone. When her great-nephew, Evan Ross, comes to stay with her for a few weeks, Sarabeth gets angry and forces Kathryn to curse Evan's new toy: a can of Monster Blood. Kathryn rebels against Sarabeth quietly by whispering to Evan to be careful after she curses the Monster Blood.
Kathryn's cursing of the Monster Blood, spell books in the room she set up for Evan, and a bone she wears around her neck leads Evan to believe that Kathryn is a witch. He assumes Kathryn is responsible for trying to harm him with the Monster Blood before the truth about Sarabeth is revealed. Kathryn then apologizes to Evan for not believing him about the Monster Blood.
After Sarabeth is consumed by the Monster Blood and disappears, Kathryn regains her hearing.
General information[]
Physical appearance[]
Kathryn is described as a large woman with "startling" black hair and steely blue eyes. Evan says that Kathryn's hair makes her look younger than her age of eighty. She wears a dangling bone around her neck. However, in the television series, she has gray hair.
Appearances[]
| Title | Role | Year | Series | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monster Blood | Supporting | 1992 | Goosebumps | Book |
| Monster Blood II | Mentioned | 1994 | ||
| Monster Blood III | 1995 | |||
| Escape from the Carnival of Horrors | Give Yourself Goosebumps | |||
| "Monster Blood" | Main | 1996 | Goosebumps (TV series) | TV episode |
| "More Monster Blood" | Mentioned | |||
| Monster Blood IV | 1997 | Goosebumps | Book | |
| Goosebumps HorrorLand | 2008 | Goosebumps HorrorLand | Video game | |
| Monster Survival Guide | 2015 | Goosebumps (film series) | Book | |
| Monster Blood | Supporting | 2025 | Goosebumps: The Graphic Novel | Graphic Novel |
Trivia[]
- The credits of the television episode spell her name as "Katherine" instead of "Kathryn."
- In the Dutch version of Monster Blood, Kathryn is instead an evil witch while Sarabeth is a hypnotized cat.
- Kathryn is portrayed by Canadian actress Corinne Conley, who is best remembered for her role as "Dolly for Sue" in the 1964 TV special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
- Aunt Kathryn is indirectly mentioned on one of the Monster Cards in the 2008 video game, Goosebumps HorrorLand.
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