Book Review for The Ghosts of London

Title: The Ghosts of London---A Collection of Ghost Stories from the British Capital
By: Sean McLachlan
Published by the Charles River Editors
Amazon Purchase Information

Every couple of weeks or so, the mood hits me to fill up my Kindle with FREE ebooks. I'll go to the Amazon website, click on the Kindle Store, and then search the last 30 days of new releases, priced low to high! Over the years, I've found quite a few free ebooks on my favorite subjects---ghosts and hauntings!

However, the old adage is usually true: you get what you pay for. More often than not, these free ebooks are poorly written, factually inaccurate, or at least just really, really short. There are gems to be had, though, and The Ghosts of London is one of those gems!

I have several other ebooks from the Charles River Editors, mostly quick-history type books, and they've all been a great deal. They are well written, interesting, and long enough to actually be considered a book, lol. But The Ghosts of London, written by Sean McLachlan, is the best I've found so far.

This book isn't super long, but its got a great sampling of London's haunted history. You'll find some standby classics such as 50 Berkeley Square, which many know as the Most Haunted House in London. Of course, a few hauntings associated with the London Underground (subway system) are included, as are plenty of haunted pubs, churches, and other places of interest. There are also a few really strange stories included, namely the ghost of Sir Francis Bacon's FROZEN CHICKEN!!

Chapters are enhanced with photographs and illustrations, and there's a great bibliography at the end of the book. It's a quick, fun read, but its not overwhelmingly short like so many similar books tend to be. I'm not as up-to-date on my British hauntings as I'd like to be, so this was a great collection of stories to become familiar with.

Unfortunately, at the time of this review, the FREE promotion for this book has ended, and the price is up to $2.99. That's still a respectable price for the quality and quantity of information packed into this ebook. And, if you don't care for the ebook format, you can get this title in paperback as well, for about $10.

However, just keep your eyes open! Charles River Editors often offers their ebook titles for free during limited times, and they cover some really great subjects. I also managed to pick up a free copy of The Weird and Mysterious United States at the same time as The Ghosts of London! It's been added to the To-Be-Read pile and may end up as a future Book Review!

Happy reading, and happy haunting, everyone. Stay spooky!

Best FREE Kindle Downloads

Paranormal research can get expensive!  Therefore, I thought it might be a good idea to list some of my favorite paranormal non-fiction titles that are consistently available for free download through Amazon.  I was resistant at first to eBooks, but after receiving a Kindle for Christmas and finding plenty of gems among the garbage, I've become a convert.  Please enjoy this short list I've put together of some of my personal favorite ebooks that are available absolutely FREE!  I'm starting off small, but will add more later on.  This is a pretty broad sampling to start off, so hopefully there will be something of interest to all!

1. Historic Ghosts and Ghost Hunters is a look at some early paranormal cases that are still discussed today.  Originally written in 1908, this book actually takes on a surprisingly skeptical point of view and is a great source of information from the 19th century and before.

2. The Flying Saucers are Real by Donald Keyhoe is an early look at the UFO phenomenon from quite the reputable source.  I've often seen this work quoted or cited in recent works on ufology, so this is a great place to being a study into the subject.

3. The Book of Werewolves is a collection of werewolf lore and legend.  It's actually quite interesting and well written, despite some minor typos in this particular translation.

4. The Book of the Damned--Charles Fort was a collector of strange stories, what we now would call Fortean phenomena!  This is just one of his works, now available for FREE!

5. Ghost Hunting Diary Volume I tells the story of how one woman got involved in the paranormal world.  There are other volumes available for a small price, but this first volume is completely free.

On another note, the Kindle skin pictured above comes in blue or black.  I REALLY, REALLY want this!

FREE Vampire eBooks!

Welcome to a BONUS Vampire Week blog!  I'll be posting today's regularly scheduled blog this evening as a Friday Night Funny, but until then, I wanted to drop in and share a few FREE vampire-related ebooks being offered on Kindle through Amazon.

There isn't a huge selection of FREE material when it comes to really informative non-fiction pieces.  There is, however a TON of paranormal romances starring vampires.  I've listed a few choices that fall somewhere in between that are available right now at no charge for Kindle.  Please, if you have any further FREE recommendations, share them in the comment section.  Happy Reading!

The Vampire Cookbook
Looking for some elegantly spooky recipes for a vampire-themed or Halloween party?  This book offers a complete dinner's worth of ideas, from cocktails to dessert and everything in between.  No blood needed, of course.

Varney the Vampire, or The Feast of Blood
This is a classic from 1847, meaning it predates even Bram Stoker's Dracula!  A must read for anyone interested in vampire folklore from a literary point of view

Dracula
This one needs no description, but you might also be interested in Dracula's Guest, a collection of short stories by Bram Stoker that supposedly give a little more insight into the character of Dracula.  I personally haven't read it yet *hangs head in shame*

101 Tips for Traveling with a Vampire
A cute, satirical comedy on how to make the most out of traveling with a...well, vampire.

Totally awesome image from Nirav Photography

FREE Kindle Books on Demonology

Demonology is a subject that many are interested in, and it continues to be as hot a topic today as it was 100 years ago. So, today's quickie blog is a list of three totally FREE ebooks on the subject of demonology. Have you read any of these?


1. Demonology and Devil-Lore, by Moncure Daniel Conway

According to the Cambridge Library Collection: "In this two-volume work, first published in 1879, Conway draws from examples across the world to discuss the origins and decline of beliefs in demons. In Volume 1, he classifies types of demon and argues that the various types are personifications of the main obstacles to 'primitive man'. In Volume 2, he discusses the role that the Devil plays in Christianity, and that similar figures play in other religions." Also available through Project Gutenberg

2. Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft, by Sir Walter Scott

"The book takes the form of ten letters addressed to J.G. Lockhart, the epistolary mode permitting Scott to be both conversational in tone and discursive in method. In these, Scott surveys opinions respecting demonology and witchcraft from the Old Testament period to his own day. As a child of the Enlightenment, he adopts a rigorously rational approach to his subject. Supernatural visions are attributed to 'excited passion', to credulity, or to physical illness."--Source and More Info





3. The History of the Devil as Well Ancient as Modern in Two Parts, by Daniel DeFoe

This book is also known as The Political History of the Devil.  "The Political History of the Devil is a study of the devil by novelist, satirist and political journalist Daniel Defoe (1660?-1731). It was published in 1726 but this illustrated edition is from 1819. Defoe, a Protestant Dissenter, believed in the devil as a physical being at work in the world. The Political History of the Devil suggests that the devil appears on earth both in his own form and through inhabiting the bodies and minds of other beings. Defoe was strongly anti-Catholic and here he associates the devil with Catholicism, specifically with the Pope." Source and More Info

Occult Books

Happy National Occult Day!  I'm not sure where this celebration originated from or even why it is celebrated, but its a great excuse to once again share my love of reading with you all!

 Today's blog is just a short list of some of the FREE (yes, FREE) ebooks that are available on occult subjects.  The world of the occult is a huge one, encompassing many different ideas, but I've chosen to narrow down these literary choices to ones that specifically use the word 'occult' in the title.

These books are all now in the public domain (written in the late 1800s through early 1900s), so the FREE price point should remain constant.  The links below will take you to the Amazon website where you can easily download them for your Kindle.  However, if you do not own a Kindle device or a way to read Kindle books, all of the selections can be found for free on other websites as well, including Project Gutenberg, where they are available in a variety of formats to read on your PC, laptop, tablet, e-reader or phone.

Happy reading...and Happy National Occult Day!

1. An Outline of Occult Science by Rudolph Steiner.  This is a look at the psychic anatomy of man, and covers topics such as reincarnation, the transition from life to death, and the relationship between sleeping and waking consciousness.

2. Clairvoyance and Occult Powers by William Walker Atkinson.  Written under the pen name of Swami Panchadasi in 1916, this book contains 20 lessons on topics such as astral travel, psychic healing, and crystal gazing.

3. Studies in Occultism by H.P. Blavatsky. Topics covered include black magic in science, hypnotism, and noetics.

4. Occult Chemistry by C.W. Leadbeater.  This book proposes that the structure of the chemical elements can be assessed through clairvoyant observation with the microscopic vision of the third eye.

5. Mystic London; or Phases of Occult Life in Metropolis by Charles Davies is a collection of articles about late 19th century Spiritualism in London.  It defends the practice and beliefs of Spiritualism, arguing that they can co-exist peacefully with the beliefs and ideals of Christianity.

*If you have any other great recommendations, feel free to pop on over to Theresa's Haunted History Facebook and share!*

Paranormal Social Distancing: Part 1 Education

It's difficult being a paranormal investigator and not being able to actually go out and investigate!  As world events are forcing many of us to lock down, stay-at-home, and even quarantine ourselves until further notice, how do we paranormal enthusiasts, researchers, and investigators get our spooky fix?  Here are just a few suggestions for activities you can try during these trying times.

Part 1:  EDUCATE YOURSELF

1. Read Books:  I read a ton of paranormal nonfiction, and always have quite the TBR pile waiting for me to find the time to get to it.  You've probably got some books at home you've been meaning to read, or re-read, and now is the perfect time to do so. These books can focus more on the academic and technical side of paranormal research, or you can simply have fun with a collection of local ghost stories!

If your bookshelves are bare, don't worry; you still have plenty of options.  As of this writing, many retailers, including Amazon and The West Virginia Book Company are still shipping books.  If you have a Kindle or the Kindle app on any of your devices, you can download e-books from Amazon and other locations, sometimes for FREE.  Project Gutenberg has some really interesting free titles from the late 1800's and early 1900's (as does Amazon) and can easily be read online as well as downloaded. Also check with your local library system; many are offering a variety of online services, including access to journals and databases, and of course, checking out ebooks. If you're looking for suggestions on new reading material, you can always check out Theresa's Book Reviews.

2. Read Articles and Blogs: There are plenty of things besides books to read!  Catch up on your favorite paranormal blogs (I'm a huge fan of The Southern Spirit Guide, Spook-Eats, and many others!). Or, read articles from your favorite paranormal websites about specific topics in the field that interest you.  You can always check out my posts on Theresa's Haunted History Facebook for inspiration.

3. Watch Documentaries and/or Ghost Hunting Series:  If you have any of the popular streaming services, you have a wealth of entertaining and interesting paranormal shows at your disposal.  Small Town Monsters has released quite a bit of its collection on Amazon Prime and Ghost Adventures can be found on Hulu.  YouTube also offers a great selection of FREE documentaries, network shows, lectures/conferences, and other video content to keep you occupied indefinitely.  Look for my suggestions of what to watch on Facebook and in an upcoming blog!

4. Listen to Podcasts: I'd love to be able to share all the awesome podcasts that I listen to, but that'd take FOREVER.  There are so many great podcasts covering the paranormal field and a simple internet search should help you discover something awesome to listen to in whatever paranormal topic you choose.  I'm always posting suggestions on my Facebook page, but a few of my favorites to get you started:  The Haunted Halls of WVU, Southern Ghost Stories, and LORE.

5. Take an Online Class:  Ghost hunting is a multidisciplinary approach.  Just about any topic you could have an interest in can be applied to paranormal research and investigation!  And, just about any topic you could have an interest in, probably has an online class available for it!  Sites such as Coursera and FutureLearn offer a variety of FREE college-level classes, or you could do a search for a topic and see what is available elsewhere in your price range.  I personally gravitate towards classes in history and genealogy, but photography classes and classes in ANY of the sciences (including psychology) are also good picks.  Plus, you can sometimes find classes devoted specifically to the paranormal and paranormal topics! 

That'll do it for Part One of this multi-part series devoted to giving you some ideas on how to stay connected with the paranormal world even if you can't get out and investigate right now.  Check back tomorrow for Part 2: Research and Investigating While NOT Investigating!  Stay safe.  Stay spooky. And if you have any suggestions for books, shows, channels, podcasts, websites or other resources, please comment down below! 

First Quarter 2024 Spooky Reading!

Although April is already more than halfway over, I wanted to take a step back and share with everyone all the paranormal non-fiction books I've read during the first quarter of 2024! I'm an avid reader, and a huge bibliophile, concentrating on the collection of paranormal non-fiction from all genres (as well as West Virginia/Appalachia History) for my personal library. Continued education and life-long learning as it pertains to the paranormal field is a passion of mine, and it's important to me that I read up on the subject from a variety of viewpoints. So...here's a look at what I've been reading so far this year. Out of 26 total books I read between January 1 and March 31, eleven were paranormal non-fiction titles. 

1. They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers, by Gray Barker. Anything by West Virginia's most controversial Ufologist/Documenter of Fortean Events is a must-read for me. And although those featured in this book are pretty controversial themselves, and may or may not be full of it...it's an interesting look into civilian ufo researchers and research groups of the 1950's. I think the general idea you're suppose to take away is that the government already knows what UFOs are...and they aren't being piloted by extraterrestrial friends from outer space.

2. Ghosts in Solid Form, by Gambier Bolton. This book takes a look at a series of experiments and investigation into what ghosts are and whether they exist, spanning over a seven year period at the turn of the last century. As dated as this volume is, there are still some interesting concepts and even some investigation protocol that still seem relevant today.

3. Ghosts of Kent, by Peter Underwood. Peter Underwood is such a prolific writer and archivist of so, so many English ghosts and hauntings. This particular volume goes over haunted locations in Kent, some with personal stories attached, and others with just a re-telling of popular tale. You can't go wrong with a Peter Underwood book, and I've nearly crossed all of them off my list. 

4. Edgar Cayce on Past Lives, by D.M. Hoover. Edgar Cayce, known as the Sleeping Prophet was known for two kinds of readings...one where he diagnosed illnesses and other current problems in his clients, and another where he took a look further back into the past lives. This book is a case study of some of those cases, including several of the select-few (18, I believe) of people he regressed whose souls had evolved to the point where they did not need to come back after this current lifetime. 

5. The Most Terrifying Places on Earth, by Conrad Bauer. Bauer releases quite a few free and low cost ebooks about different paranormal topics. While short, these books are usually well-written and interesting. They're a great glimpse into the topic at hand, and I usually get a few ideas for blogs from them...they're just not super memorable when you read as much as I do, since they just go over a high number of cases with just snippets of information.

6. The Most Bizarre Paranormal and Ghost Stories, by Henry Bennett. Again, this was another free ebook, giving little doses of information on a variety of cases. I don't remember a ton, but it certainly wasn't a bad book. 

7. Werewolf Stories, by Nick Redfern. This book is set up like an encyclopedia of all things werewolf, dogman, and shape-shifting in general. I purchased it as a research tool for my work last year with the Louisiana rougarou, but after picking out the relevant information for that case, I decided to go ahead and read it cover to cover. If this is a topic you're interested in, I definitely recommend!

8. Project Blue Book, by Charles River Editors. This publisher releases a lot of 'short histories' in ebook form. This one on Project Blue Book was a great introduction/summary of the former UFO investigation project. 

9. Dark Folk Tales From the Philippine Countryside, by Louis Bulaong. This was another free ebook I picked up on Amazon. It was a delightful collection of Philippine ghosts, hauntings, and legends. Although fairly short, there were quite a few really interesting stories in here. It's a nice little introduction to the folklore of that country.

10. Spooky Science, by John Grant. I highly recommend this book! Written from a skeptical, but fair point of view, Spooky Science goes through the history of paranormal research, beginning with the investigations of mediums and psychics during the Spiritualist movement. Lots of good information and good advice for those studying parapsychology and/or the paranormal field.

11. Scotland UFO Disclosure Volume 8, by Brian Caldwell. I wrapped up the quarter with another free ebook on UFOs. This one only had a few different cases, but was pretty interesting and well-written, nonetheless. I didn't realize that there were enough UFO cases in Scotland to merit a multi-volume set, but I'll gladly download other editions if I come across them for free as well. 

FREE Online Research--Newspaper Research

Photo by ShironekoEuro

As a paranormal researcher and the Historic Research Manager for Huntington Paranormal Investigations and Research, I have discovered that one of the absolute best sources of information comes in the form of newspaper archives! I have spent countless hours hunched over the microfiche machines at the Cabell County Public Library, looking up obituaries, news coverage of disasters, and other articles of interest. Even advertisements can offer useful information about daily life. Many times I'll be looking for one thing, and stumble upon an article or photograph pertaining to another local haunting or interesting story!

I'm lucky that I live relatively close to the library and can usually find the time to visit a few times a month, since these archives are not yet digitally available off-site. But what if you're NOT able to visit these archives regularly...or are researching a topic or location from another area? If the internet is your only option for research, there are some pretty awesome newspaper archive services out there...but they come at a fairly hefty price, usually available through monthly, 3-month, 6-month and yearly subscriptions. However, if this is a service you find yourself using often, it might be well worth it---saving on travel expenses and the ability to research topics at your leisure and from your own computer (and printer) are excellent reasons to consider a subscription service.  Most also offer a free 30 day free trial---so you can do some major research on a variety of topics all at once and then cancel! Newspapers.com is my personal favorite and is running a reduced price on yearly subscriptions this month.

The options above are great and all, but here at Theresa's Haunted History, I'm always looking for resources that are completely FREE! Below I've compiled a short list of free online newspaper resources that I have personally used in my own research. Do you know of any other FREE newspaper resources, especially those pertaining to the tri-state area of West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky?  If so, please join me over on Facebook and let us know!


Free Online Newspaper Archives

Chronicling America: The Library of Congress has digitized a great number of newspapers from across the country.  While obviously not ALL newspapers are represented, there are plenty of examples from West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.  Unfortunately, the archive only dates between 1836 and 1922. Still, there is some great information to be found, and the search options are very user-friendly.  Just doing a little exploring, I found some interesting articles about both the WV State Penitentiary at Moundsville and the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.

GenDisasters: GenDisasters is a collection of newspaper articles about different disasters transcribed by volunteers from across the country.  By searching by state, disaster, year or even keyword, you'll gain access to different tragedies such as fires, explosions, train derailments, etc.  I have been a volunteer transcriber for several years now and have added a number of Huntington, WV area articles.

Google News Archive: I have mixed feelings about the Google News archives.  There are different ways of maximizing your search results using this feature, but quite honestly, I've found that the easiest thing to do is do a regular Google search for whatever you're looking for and see if any newspaper stories are included in the search results. The big problem is, however, is that the newspapers aren't transcribed by a human--they are digitally translated using a software program.  This results in a LOT of mispellings---to the point where its almost impossible to actually read what is being said.  Plus, you generally cannot read from the actual newspaper image itself---just the text box below, which is all running together.  Still, I've had some measure of success and at the very least, have found out critical dates of events so that I can narrow down the search parameters on the microfiche and find out what the local papers have to say.

The Glenville Mercury: Glenville State College in Glenville, WV, which began as a Normal School, has digitized their school newspaper!  Archives go from December 1929 to July 2000 and while the content may be a little more geared to local and college interests, there's some interesting stuff in there if you look hard enough.

Are you looking for MORE FREE STUFF?
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