Book Review for Something Wicked: The Bell Witch Phenomenon

Title: Something Wicked! The Bell Witch Phenomenon

Author: Dewey Edwards

Copyright: 2017

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It's not often that I find a book of paranormal nonfiction that I'm just absolutely blown away by, but I'm willing to give that honor to Something Wicked! by Dewey Edwards! This is such a well-written, well-researched, and most importantly, interesting and READABLE book that I seriously cannot praise it enough.

I first became acquainted with Mr. Edwards and his work through our mutual interests in the paranormal community, often tuning into Wild and Weird Radio's Thursday live streams on YouTube. Dewey has been a guest several times on the podcast himself, breaking records with the number of listeners, interactions, and program length (Beyond the Bell Witch  and  Return of the Bell Witch). And, it was all well deserved. He's one of those researchers that is so knowledgeable and can talk so easily on a subject, but can do so in a manner that is never dry or boring or preachy. It's simply entertaining.

That ability to tell a story shines through his writing as well. 

Something Wicked! begins with the Bell Family's trip from North Carolina to their new home in Tennessee. As we follow along with the family's struggles to build a new and prosperous life for themselves in this wilderness, we really get a glimpse into who the Bells were. We also get a really good picture of what the world as a whole was going through during this time period. I find it fascinating that this is the first time I've ever really seen 'outside' events being mentioned as part of the Bell Witch story. Shortly after arriving in Tennessee, the area where the Bells settled was rocked by a series of earthquakes and aftershocks that had people convinced that the End Times were upon them. Then in 1815, the Tambour volcano in Indonesia erupted, which would result in the following summer being as cold as winter and many crops failing. The world was in turmoil...but soon that turmoil would turn very personal for John Bell and his family, especially his daughter, Betsy.

Because I'm somewhat of a paranormal nerd, I probably know a little more about the Bell Witch 'haunting' than your average person, but this book was packed with details about the activities of the witch and other little family anecdotes of note that I have never come across in casual reading. However, it's important to point out that these facts weren't just shoved into the text---the story was really well laid out and flowed smoothly in a sensible fashion. There was enough detail to get the full picture AND to explain historical concepts that most readers wouldn't be familiar with without over-doing it. Source citations were available to give the text more of an academic feel, but it was so interesting, it really read like a fascinating novel...complete with photographs!

I don't want to give too much away, because I really want to encourage you to pick up a copy of this book for your own library! Even if you think you know everything there is to know on this strange case of weird US history, I guarantee you'll learn SOMETHING new. At the very least, you'll be in for a fun, easy read on a really cool topic. And who knows, maybe you'll even solve the mystery as to WHO or WHAT the Bell Witch actually WAS:  ghost? spirit? witch? poltergeist? demon? Or something completely different???

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Book Review: Beasts Between the Rivers

Title: Beasts Between the Rivers

Author: Martin Groves

Published 2022

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Back in October, Theresa's Haunted History and Spectral Research and Investigations both set up tables at the annual Wild and Weird Con, hosted by Joe Perdue, Ron Lanham, and the rest of the team over at Wild and Weird WV. The event, which was held at the Chief Logan State Park Lodge in Logan County, WV, was an absolutely stellar event full of awesome workshops, vendors, and of course, speakers.

During the presentation by the Hellbent Holler team, the audience got a special treat. Martin Groves, a retired police officer,  took the podium and shared his personal experience. I regret that I missed the first part of his talk, but I sat fascinated and heard the rest of his tale from his own perspective. He had a whole room packed full of enthralled guests hanging on his every word, as he told the story of an encounter with a group of Dogmen in the Land Between the Lakes region, back in the 1990's. 

After the presentation, he handed out some free copies of his book, Beasts Between the Rivers, and I am so grateful that I was able to receive a copy to add to my paranormal library. 

Beasts Between the Rivers is Martin's account of the strange and horrifying events that he and his friend experienced while out turkey hunting in a secluded spot in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in the 1990's. I don't want to share much of the story because I don't want to give it away...but OMG. I had first heard Martin's story earlier in the year when he was featured on the Small Town Monsters documentary, American Werewolves. Even in the documentary, it was apparent that Martin was sincere, and that this experience really affected him on a personal level. That sincerity also comes across in this book. It's not a long book, but it's an honest and thorough eyewitness account of what happened to Martin and his friend. 

Even if you're on the skeptical side of encounters like this, I'd definitely recommend the book as it is a very personable, page-turning read. There are also plenty of full-colored photographs to help the reader really get a feel for where this happened. There's also sketches, digital art, and diagrams as well, giving a nice, finished product that anyone in the cryptozoology field should read. 

I absolutely love this book, and I really applaud Martin for getting his story out there and making it accessible to so many people. While many of us will read this encounter and enjoy it as a spooky story, I think it's important to remember that sharing this story and getting this information out there is important to understanding these obviously dangerous creatures. Yeah, it's a fun read...but it could also save someone's life. 

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Book Review for Truth Seeker: Seeking the Unknown

Title-Truth Seeker: Seeking the Unknown

Author: Tom R. Moore

Independently published by Tom R. Moore, 2022

Amazon Purchase Link

I've been familiar with Tom Moore's work for quite some time! We both started in this field around the same time, so I've met him and his team, Mid-Ohio Valley Ghost Hunters several times at different conferences and events, and it's always a pleasure to hear him speak and just see what teams in other parts of the state are doing.

As soon as I realized he had a book out, on to my Amazon Wish List it went! And, per custom, when my birthday rolled around this past month, Luke and Aaron made a few selections straight off my list for me. Luckily, Truth Seeker: Seeking the Unknown was one of them.

This was a really cool book. For five years, Tom wrote a monthly column for The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, his area's local newspaper. These columns offered advice for those seeking their own paranormal adventures, shared some of his own experiences, and offered a glimpse into the haunted history of both well-known and obscure locations throughout the tri-state. The book is a collection of those columns, arranged chronologically and enhanced with photographs of many of the locations, some of which did not originally appear in the paper.

Each 'chapter' or column is only about a page and a half in length, making it a quick read. Although on the shorter side, each entry is a well-written and concise look at a unique aspect of the paranormal world. There's still plenty of good advice thrown in there for the novice up through the experienced investigator, and enough history and background on the locations featured to whet one's appetite for further self-research. And, like I said before---I just really like to see what other teams and investigators are up to. It's fun to see where they're going and what types of evidence and experiences they're having there. I like to see what types of equipment they use and what theories they subscribe to. It really challenges me as an investigator and inspires me to continue learning about this field.

Truth Seeker is a unique little archive of paranormal writings from a West Virginia author, researcher and investigator. If you're interested in learning more about haunted locations such as Bobby Mackey's, The Anchorage, or the WV State Penitentiary at Moundsville, you'll enjoy this book! If you're curious about the importance of patience, historical research, and NOT trespassing on private property, you'll also enjoy this book, lol! And, if you're just a fan of supporting local authors and those in the paranormal community, you'll want to pick up your own copy of Truth Seeker: Seeking the Unknown.

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Book Review for Real West Virginia UFOs

Title: Real West Virginia UFOs: Sightings and Close Encounters, Revised Edition

Author: Dave Spinks

Published by Starborn Illumination Publishing, 2022

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Dave Spinks' Website Information

After a two-year pandemic related hiatus, the annual Mothman Festival finally returned in September of 2022...and I'm pretty sure it was one of the largest paranormal events in history! So, needless to say, it was pretty crowded and pretty overwhelming, so much in fact that I really didn't get a chance to take many pictures or really do too many of my usual festival activities---except for one of my favorite activities: book buying!

No amount of crowds can stop me from taking advantage of having so many wonderful paranormal authors and vendors in one place. Yeah, most of the books that I buy at these types of events can be picked up online, through Amazon or the authors'/publishers' websites, but there's something really special about getting to meet the author in person. Even an introvert like me enjoys chatting about the paranormal with other paranormal enthusiasts. I love having the opportunity to add personally autographed books to my library. And, most importantly, I love directly supporting my friends and colleagues in the paranormal community. 

Among my pickups this year was Real West Virginia UFOs: Sightings and Close Encounters, by local author and researcher, Dave Spinks. As the title suggests, it is a compendium of UFO sightings in the Mountain State. Much of the book is laid out chronologically---each chapter covers a decade of UFO sightings in West Virginia, ranging from highly publicized cases such as the Flatwoods Monster incident and the Woodrow Derenberger encounter, to  never before reported sightings found only in this book. However, this book is more than just a laundry list of sightings; it is a fascinating look at how the history of West Virginia's ufology directly correlates with the history of ufology in the United States as a whole. 

For whatever reason, West Virginia is an absolute hot spot for UFO sightings and UFO-related phenomenon. This book is packed with information about eye-witness accounts, famous close-encounters, and the people/organizations who investigated them. Historically, there has been so much strangeness going on in the skies above the Mountain State and within the hills below, that we were chosen as an official spot for Project Ozma and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence! The huge radio telescope can be toured today at the Green Bank Observatory in Pocahontas County, and special SETI tours are offered periodically. 

Real West Virginia UFOs is a well-researched glimpse into that strangeness mentioned above. There's plenty of meat to each featured case to give readers a good, satisfying summary, but not so many details as to bog down the casual reader with unnecessary information. Resources and bibliography provided at the end are available for those who wish to deep-dive a little further into certain subjects discussed. Photographs of suspected UFOs are provided when available, and there's even a whole chapter contributed by Ron Lanham featuring cases sent into the Wild and Weird West Virginia High Strangeness Collective!  Overall, this is just a really fun, informative read about one side of West Virginia's unique history. Grab yourself a copy if you love anything to do with the strange and spooky history of the Mountain State, or pick up a copy for a friend or relative this holiday season---I'm sure this book will be the perfect stocking stuffer for the UFO enthusiast in your life!

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Book Review: Appalachian Bigfoot

Title: The Appalachian Bigfoot

Author: Dr. Russell Jones

Published: December 9, 2021 by Beyond the Fray Publishing

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The Appalachian Bigfoot is actually the second book by West Virginia author and researcher, Dr. Russell Jones. Following on the heels of Tracking the Stone Man: West Virginia's Bigfoot (published 2016), The Appalachian Bigfoot is another excellent contribution to the field of cryptozoology.

As I said in my review of his previous book, Bigfoot is a subject that I'm interested in, as I believe all the strange and unusual aspects of the paranormal field are related, but its not a subject that I feel super well-versed in. Therefore, I'm always looking for extremely informative resources written in a way that I can easily digest the information without getting bored. And, The Appalachian Bigfoot was a good fit!

While Dr. Jones' first book focused on the Bigfoot population of West Virginia, this newest book expands to study Bigfoot throughout the Appalachia region of the United States. Up until recently, much of the Bigfoot research that was published really tended to focus on the Bigfoot population of the Pacific Northwest...and believe it or not, there are some differences between the seemingly same species from across the country. 

The Appalachian Bigfoot is a treasure trove of information on this mysterious beast. Topics range from physical descriptions of these creatures, the best times and locations to witness them, theories about why we don't yet have proof of their existence, evidence collection, habituation, and much more. Included are case studies featuring the most compelling eyewitnesses reports from around the Appalachian region.

So, I'm not gonna lie---while I enjoyed this book immensely, there were times when it seemed a little...disjointed and repetitive...like it was written in chunks, then kind of hastily put together. However, the information in this book far outweighs that minor problem, if it even IS a problem. While it may seem disjointed to sit and read cover to cover, if you're looking for a specific topic, or just want to read a little bit at a time, then you'll never even notice. 

I'm pretty sure that everyone, from the complete novice to the experienced Squatcher, can find value in this book, and its a must-have reference for any cryptozoology library. And, you don't even really need to live within Appalachia to love this book. The case studies are interesting, no matter where you're from, and there are enough similarities between these various populations of Bigfoot-type creatures  that the information can be applied outside the region. I was lucky enough to pick up MY personal copy at a local thrift store, but it's available on Amazon and through most major book stores. 

If you've read The Appalachian Bigfoot by Dr. Russell Jones, please let me know what YOU thought, down in the comments below! And, if you're interested in additional book reviews from Theresa's Haunted History, see my link below!

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Book Review: Monsters, Cryptids, and Mysterious Wild Beasts

Title: Monsters, Cryptids and Mysterious Wild Beasts: West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Beyond

Author: Jannette Quackenbush

Published: 2019 by 21 Crows Dust to Dawn Publishing

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Author's Website

Any time I get the opportunity to chat with Jannette and purchase one of her books, I jump at the chance! The 2022 Hidden Marietta Paranormal Expo was no different. I was thrilled to see that Jannette was also vending at this event, and so I had to pick up a few of her books that I didn't already own, including Monsters, Cryptids, and Mysterious Wild Beasts!

Y'all know that my personal interests skew towards the ghostly side of the paranormal. I love me some good ghost stories and tales of haunted locations. However, I keep getting more and more into other branches of paranormal study, including cryptozoology. Therefore, I've been trying to fill out my own paranormal library with as many books on the subject as I can find, especially those pertaining specifically to West Virginia. This book has made a wonderful addition to my library, and was a really fun, fast-paced read as well. 

Jannette includes all the West Virginia favorites, from Mothman to the Flatwoods Monster, with a few more obscure mountain monsters, such as Vegetable Man and the Ghillie Beast of Seneca Rocks, thrown in for good measure. The creepy critters of this book aren't just confined to West Virginia, though. There's also a sampling of nearby cryptids from the surrounding states of Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. This makes perfect sense, as many times, these monsters don't necessarily recognize our man-made boundary lines. Certain examples, such as the hellhounds and the Snallygaster, have been known to make their home on both sides of the state line. 

As always, Jannette does a wonderful job in giving some background on these creatures, along with sightings reports, both historical and recent. What makes her books really stand out, however, is that she always includes directions and coordinates to optimal places where YOU can visit and perhaps encounter these creatures for yourself. The places listed are public land and usually fairly accessible, with warnings about when and where to avoid private or unsafe locations. Jannette usually visits these locations for herself, so she is able to share the inside scoop for those wishing to check it out.

Further, there are a lot of really fun pictures for each entry. Many of the photos are actual photos of the beautiful, rural areas where so many of these beasts have been reported...but with an added twist. Digitally added depictions of what these creatures are described as are imposed over the real photos, making it a fun little touch that adds a lot to the unique layout of the book. 

Jannette is a prolific writer of the paranormal, featuring many books from West Virginia and surrounding areas. If you'd like to learn more about Monsters, Cryptids, and Mysterious Beasts, check out her website (linked above), find her on Amazon, or simply look for her at one of the many great paranormal conferences held in and around West Virginia and Ohio! Her books are very reasonably priced and super entertaining whether you're an experienced researcher, or just simply interested in the strange and unusual. Jannette is also the sweetest person you'll ever meet, and a joy to chat with in person. But, whether you get to meet her in person, or simply order from the web, I highly recommend adding a few of her books to YOUR personal paranormal library. Stay spooky! 

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Book Review: The Wild Man of North America

Title: The Wild Man of North America--Historic Newspaper Accounts About Encounters with Wild Men, Feral Humans and Other Curiosities

Author: Louis R. Petolicchio

Published: 2021 by Witherspoon Publishing (Sutton, WV)

Back in December, Spectral Research and Investigation returned to Sutton, WV for a holiday get-together and investigation of the Haunted Haymond House. In a serendipitous turn of events, right after we confirmed our date, the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum announced that they'd be holding a special event called the Yeti Expo on the same day we were going to be in town! Obviously, myself and other members of the team jumped on the opportunity, and if you know me...you know I can't attend such an event without picking up souvenirs in the form of whatever paranormal nonfiction books are being sold!

After touring the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum, perusing the interesting items for sale at the Mountain Laurel Country store, and talking with Les O'Dell of WV Cryptids and Strange Encounters about HIS new book (Theresa's Review of West Virginia Cryptids) I picked out a book from the museum's gift shop area. The book I chose was The Wild Man of North America by Louis R. Petolicchio.

In another moment of serendipity, Louis was actually the one who rang up my purchases at the register! We had a lovely little chat about the book, the museum, and what I was in town for. He gave me some inside info about the book as well---apparently there was a mix-up with the cover art, and the image on the front of the book was NOT part of the public domain. So, there was only a limited run of this particular edition, with a re-publish coming soon. I promised that I'd come back and buy the updated copy as well, just for my own personal paranormal nonfiction collection. That seemed to tickle him, and he offered to sign my copy, which I gladly agreed to.

Unfortunately, Louis R. Petolicchio recently lost a battle with Covid, a huge loss to his family and friends, as well as the community of Sutton and the Bigfoot/cryptid research community. He was such a nice, likable person, and I was really sad to hear of his passing. I only got to speak with him the one time, but he made me feel very welcome and appreciated and it really bothers me that my next visit to the WV Bigfoot Museum won't include me telling him how much I LOVED his book! 

The Wild Man of North America is a really cool collection of vintage newspaper articles, dating back from the early 1800's through the early 1900's. Throughout the United States, newspapers in nearly every city and state ran articles about Wild Men--strange, feral human-like creatures that seemed to be covered in fur/hair, were nearly always nude or nearly-nude, and who often had quite the bad temper towards anyone who tried to make contact. 

Louis makes a note in the introduction that these types of stories seem to fall into three broader categories: 1. Large, hairy bipedal humanoids that we'd probably classify as a Bigfoot or a Sasquatch today. 2. Feral humans, who can use tools, are often violent, and if caught, speak gibberish and are usually deemed to be insane. And, 3. Lost hominids, which seem to be neither man, nor beast...not quite as elusive and animalistic as a Bigfoot, but taking on some human-like characteristics, such as using fire, clubs, and other tools. For the most part, I agree with these classifications, but reading through the stories, I can definitely see some shared characteristics and similarities between some stories that I think make classification of such 'creatures' a little more gray. 

Either way, this is an excellent book for the Bigfoot researcher, or who is interested in a historical perspective of creature reports that we'd probably classify as a Bigfoot today. Although quite a few of the tales included are obviously humans who for whatever reason found themselves living away from 'modern civilization,' there are plenty of stories that really do seem to be more cryptozoological in nature. For me personally, I'm not ready to head out in the deep woods looking for Bigfoot today, but I really enjoy deep diving into the history of sightings and trying to make connections with the research being done today. Plus, its just really entertaining! The writing style and language used in some of these articles is downright hilarious, and reads like something you'd find in the Weekly World News...not an established, respected newspaper. 

In addition to the large section on these Wild Men stories, there's a chapter on the infamous Teddy Roosevelt's re-telling of a friend's possible Bigfoot experience, as well as a small section of newspaper articles on other curiosities, including a ton of articles on giant skeletons found in burial mounds and some creature reports that sound a lot like misplaced kangaroos! If this book is lacking anything (which I don't think it is) I think I would have liked to have some additional commentary by Mr. Petolicchio. Additional commentary really isn't NEEDED throughout most of the book, but I would have been interested in whether or not he would make any connections between giant skeletons and deceased Sasquatch creatures and just some general thoughts on the nature of these stories. I was super pleased, however, to see several stories from West Virginia and surrounding areas, including a really weird story where a wild man attacked a train near Morgantown (Wild Man Attacks Train Near Morgantown)!

I am so happy that I was able to pick up a copy of this book when I did, and I'm even happier that I got the opportunity to meet Mr. Petolicchio. My heart goes out to his friends and family who lost a good man too soon. This book will take a place of honor on my bookshelf, as a reminder of the awesome contributions to the field of Bigfoot research made by Mr. Petolicchio. Today, the WV Bigfoot Museum will reopen to the public--if you're in the Sutton area, stop by and let them know you support them. I've also included a link below to the family's GoFundMe page in case you'd like to help out. And of course, if you get the opportunity to add this book to YOUR collection, I highly recommend you do so! It is a well written, well-curated collection of really interesting historical news accounts that is a must-have for any researcher wanting to see how reports of hairy hominid creatures has evolved over the last 200 years!

Petolicchio Family GoFundMe

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Louis Petolicchio
Photo by Braxton Citizens' News

Book Review for West Virginia Cryptids: A Visual Guide for Traversing the Mountain State

Title: West Virginia Cryptids: A Visual Field Guide for Traversing the Mountain State

Researched and Written by: Les O'Dell of WV Cryptids and Strange Encounters

Art and Design by: Mark Randall-Creative Artist

Copyright 2021

Amazon Purchase Link

Last month, the stars aligned for me. Spectral Research and Investigation scheduled a holiday dinner and investigation at the Haymond House in Sutton, WV. A few weeks after we confirmed our date, it was announced that the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum, also in Sutton, was hosting the first annual Yeti Expo that same weekend! And, if you know me, you know I can't walk away from any paranormal event without at least one or two new books for my paranormal library. One of the books that came home with me that weekend was West Virginia Cryptids: A Visual Field Guide for Traversing the Mountain State, by Les O'Dell and Mark Randall. 

I kept meaning to pick up a copy of this book, but I didn't want to necessarily order it. I had planned on purchasing a copy either at the Bigfoot Museum, or through one of the events that Les O'Dell was going to be at throughout 2021. But, things kept coming up, and I never got around to, even though I was really excited about adding this new title to my own shelf.

I've been following Les and his work with WV CASE for several years now. He's an awesome researcher of all things paranormal, but has really made an impact on the local cryptid, especially Bigfoot, research scene. In addition to collecting reports from all over the state, he actually goes out to where these sightings have occurred and conducts actual field research. His work is on display at the Bigfoot Museum, and can now be found in the book, West Virginia Cryptids!

It's not a huge book, but there's a lot to it. I feel like for the low price of only $10, you're getting a steal. Not only are you getting a look at some of the weird and wonderful monsters that have been spotted throughout West Virginia, but you're getting a collection of full-color, full-page illustrations by the awesome artist, Mark Randall. His spooky, stylized illustrations pair perfectly with the well-researched descriptions of creatures such as the Grafton Monster, The Vegetable Man, The Polk Gap Monster, and many more. 

Anyone who is interested in collecting Fortean literature of West Virginia, or who is interested in cryptozoology in general will want to add this book to their collection, but I think West Virginia Cryptids would make a GREAT gift to give to a teen or someone else who is just now entering this strange, strange world. The visually striking pictures are awesome and the text is short, sweet, and to the point. Les has managed to sum up each monster's history in a way that gives all the necessary details without being too wordy, boring, or overwhelming to the casual reader. I know I really enjoyed it, and so did my 12 year old son. It has already gained a place of prominence in the section of my library dedicated to West Virginia paranormal non-fiction.  I'll be eagerly looking forward to new works and collaborations from these two! 

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Book Review for Life with the Afterlife

Title: Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I Learned About Ghosts

Author: Amy Bruni, with Julie Tremaine

Published: 2020 by Grand Central Publishing

Amazon Purchase Information

Life with the Afterlife was published last October, but as usual I'm late to the party, having only picked up and read this book in June of 2021. It is a memoir of sorts, chronicling the paranormal experiences and ghost hunting career of Amy Bruni. Amy Bruni, co-star of the show Kindred Spirits, got her television ghost hunting start on the original Ghost Hunters, joining the TAPS team as they investigate a multitude of haunted and historic properties, businesses, and even private residences. 

Over the course of thirteen chapters, we learn about how Amy got interested in the paranormal, how she became involved with the TAPS family, what led her to becoming a reality TV ghost hunter, and ultimately, what she has learned from the whole experience. 

I really like reading books written by other investigators. It's enlightening to see how others in this field got their start, and interesting to see how their philosophies and methods compare to my own. As long as I've been an investigator, I still realize that I can always keep learning and keep growing. One way to do so obviously is to learn from the experiences and expertise of well respected figures in the field of paranormal investigation. Amy Bruni has a lot of experience on her own, but throughout the book quotes plenty of other well-known researchers in the field, pulling in their expertise as well.

Unfortunately, I can't say that I actually learned much from this book. That's not to say that there isn't good information in the book---there is---but I think for me it's a combination of things. I've been in this field a LONG time, so most of the '13 truths' just seem kind of common sense to me. Secondly, I hadn't realized it before since I'm not a huge watcher of television shows, but Amy and I have quite similar ideas and beliefs when it comes to paranormal investigation. I especially appreciate her thoughts on the idea of offering assistance and a voice to those left behind here without necessarily 'crossing them over.' I've always been leery of those in this field whose sole mission is to cross spirits over to the other side. We don't know what awaits them over there---how do we know we're not sending them to a fate worse than death? 

Anyway, if you're a fan of the shows Ghost Hunters or Kindred Spirits, or otherwise follow Amy's work, you'll definitely want to read Life With the Afterlife. It is an interesting glimpse into the life of an interesting person, and there's definitely plenty of practical information included for those interested in the field of paranormal investigation. At 257 pages, written in a large font, it's a quick and easy read, perfect for getting in a little chill during those summer days by the pool!

If you've read Life With the Afterlife, let me know what YOU thought about it!  Feel free to comment below, or join me over on Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State's Facebook page. Stay spooky, ya'll. 

Book Review for One Last Thing!

Title: One Last Thing! Strange, Curious and Humorous Conversations with the Other Side

Author: John E.L. Tenney

Published 2011 by John E.L. Tenney

Amazon Purchase Information

I've been a fan of John E. L. Tenney's work in the paranormal field since I saw him in the short-lived paranormal investigation show, Ghost Stalkers.  I had heard of him before that, but I think that was the first time I really got to see how he operated as a paranormal investigator...and I was impressed! I also follow John on Twitter, and he always comes across as a smart and witty kinda guy. Therefore, I was thrilled to open my presents Christmas morning and find that I had been given his book, One Last Thing!

I was also kind of surprised, because this book had been on my wish list quite awhile! After all the presents were open, I sat down by the fireplace and started reading. I was done before breakfast was served, lol.

One Last Thing! is a super short read, coming in at under 60 pages, but it was a book that took John 20+ years to make. It is not your simple run-of-the-mill investigation memoir or handbook. Rather, its a fascinating compilation of real life EVP transcripts from John's work in the paranormal investigation field. 

My generation of ghost hunters basically grew up using digital voice recorders and being told that you'd be lucky if you got more than one short word at a time during an EVP session. John shakes things up by using an old school reel to reel, spending HOURS on each EVP session, and capturing some wonderfully interactive conversations with spirits. Some of these conversations are poignant, while others are downright hilarious! It seems that even bodily death cannot destroy someone's sarcasm or snark. I think one of my favorite conversations recorded in the book is a spirit who takes the command to repeat a series of knocks and turns it into a knock-knock joke--seriously.

Reading through the pages, not only was I entertained to the point of chuckling aloud a few times, but I also found myself nodding my head in agreement. John notes that quite a few spirits seem to use the same language, most notably referring to wherever they are as the "Forever" or the "Always." I personally have heard these terms used a few times in my own EVP research, as well as another incident where the entity refers to itself AS A GHOST. It is recommended that to establish a rapport with the other side, some of this language should be incorporated by investigators, and I certainly plan on using what I've learned in the book in my next investigation.

John also notes that sometimes a question would be answered before it was even asked, sparking the debate as to whether ghosts/spirits can be telepathic. Again, I've had similar occurrences in my own investigation work, to the point where we experimented with whether or not WE the investigators were actually imprinting thoughts on tape. 

Overall, this was a really fun book. I wish it had gone more into John's philosophy and method of EVP work. I would love to have researched that more, because the introduction and closing pages, while scarce in number, were packed with useful tidbits of information. But, for what it is---a humorous collection of conversations with the other side--I'm happy. It's a quick read and a perfect palate cleansers for the investigator who needs something easy and fun to read, yet still educational. Obviously, a book of this nature isn't for everyone, but I'm proud to have One Last Thing! in my personal paranormal library!

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Book Review for Cursed Objects

Title: Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items

Author: J.W. Ocker

Published: 2020 by Quirk Books, Philadelphia, PA

Amazon Purchase Info

I just have to say, this book is physically stunning! The chunky hardback packs in 271 thick pages and has a beautiful cover featuring some eerie little illustrations in a sort of shiny, shimmery, metallic silver and blue combination. Honestly, that's what initially drew me to the book---but its content is pretty awesome as well! 

I've always had a fascination for cursed and haunted objects, the weirder the item the better! Ocker packs in quite a few of these items, each with a well-written, factual background on the item's known history and it's alleged 'cursed' activity. Each entry is only a few pages long, and there are plenty of illustrations to keep even my ADHD mind focused and moving through the book.

As someone who is a fan of all things strange and unusual, I've heard of quite a few of the objects mentioned in this book.  Some of the more famous cursed items include The Hope Diamond, King Tut's Tomb, the Dybbuk Box, The Crying Boy paintings, and of course, Annabelle the Doll.  However, I was delighted to see entries for objects that I either knew little about, or had never heard of, including Little Mannie and the Prague Orloj. 

These objects are discussed with just the right bit of humor mixed with legend mixed with fact to make for a really interesting read, and I love that the author also included a chapter on the museums that make a business out of collecting and showcasing the types of items found within this book. There isn't a whole lot of scholarly analysis as to the phenomenon of cursed objects as a whole, but there are few little extras throughout the book to help give a better understanding of why an object may be cursed. There's also a bibliography AND an index, which as a researcher, I'm thrilled to see included. Overall, this is a neat book for both the hardcore paranormal enthusiast and for someone who just likes a good, interesting read about spooky, unsolved mysteries. 

Want MORE from J.W. Ocker?  Ocker has a podcast called Odd Things I've Seen, about well...odd things and where to find them! 

See what else Theresa is reading at my Book Reviews page! 

Book Review for The Big Book of West Virginia Ghost Stories

Title: The Big Book of West Virginia Ghost Stories

Author: Rosemary Ellen Guiley

Published 2014 by Globe Pequot

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It's been over a year since we lost the awesome author and paranormal researcher, Rosemary Ellen Guiley. I don't know why, but she's been on my mind quite a bit these past few months, and it made me realize that I never reviewed her book, The Big Book of West Virginia Ghost Stories!  Although Rosemary was an internationally-known author and her research covered a huge span of paranormal topics, she seemed to spend a good deal of time here in the Mountain State, and wrote extensively about the rich, spooky history of West Virginia. 

The Big Book of West Virginia Ghost Stories is an extremely thorough look at ghosts and hauntings throughout the state.  Each section is devoted to one of the eight geographic regions, as designated by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, and each section is packed with a variety of ghostly tales and legends.  Some of the stories are well known and have been passed down in West Virginia's ghost lore for many years.  Others were tales that even I have never heard before.  Some of the stories have a great deal of historical documentation to back them up, while others fall more in line with composite legends that may or may not be based on REAL people or true historical events, but yet have cemented themselves in our paranormal history.  Rosemary is careful to distinguish which stories are more fact, and which tend to be more legend.

As with all of Rosemary's books, this one is very well written.  It's an entertaining read, as well as an informative one, as she not only shares her personal encounters as well as those of the witnesses...but also gives an excellent historical background on the stories. West Virginia is such a unique location, and there are so many aspects that make it a great place for the paranormal to thrive.

Being that this book is so comprehensive, I'd definitely suggest adding it to your own collection of paranormal literature, and if you're only going to purchase one book dealing with West Virginia hauntings, this would be a good choice.  It's a wonderful resource for finding new locations to investigate, research, or just to visit when you're in the area.  At 276 pages, there are definitely PLENTY of locations to check out! 

I had a lot of fun going through this book and have added some locations to research further for my blog.  But, my biggest surprise was reading in the back of the book, under the Acknowledgements page! It is such an honor to be mentioned in this book. I have loved and respected Rosemary's work for so long, and it is really special to know that my work helped shape this collection of West Virginia's ghost stories. 

More interested in Cryptozoology? Check out Rosemary Ellen Guiley's Monsters of West Virginia!  You can also check out what else I've read and reviewed on my Book Reviews page. Stay Spooky! 

Book Review for Paranormal Files: West Virginia

Title: Paranormal Files: West Virginia

Authors: David Weatherly, Ross Allison, and Dave Spinks

Published: 2019 by Eerie Lights Publishing

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You know me...I can't resist a book about West Virginia's paranormal history!  One of my latest acquisitions is Paranormal Files: West Virginia, a collaboration between three well known authors--- David Weatherly, Ross Allison, and Dave Spinks. 

I have quite a few books about haunted locations throughout the Mountain State, so I was pleasantly surprised by this book's unique format in sharing West Virginia's ghost stories. Both well known tales, and more obscure haunted locations are represented in three different sections covered by a separate author.  David Weatherly starts off with the Ghosts of Harpers Ferry. Stories such as Screaming Jenny, John Brown's Ghost, and Dangerfield Newby at Hog Alley are covered from a historic standpoint, but the author also discusses his own personal experiences and investigation data from both the former Hilltop Hotel and a private residence in the area.  

The second section of the book, authored by Ross Allison, is dedicated to West Virginia's haunted campuses. I'm pretty sure there isn't an institute of higher learning anywhere in the state that doesn't have at least one ghost story, and quite a few are represented in the book. Marshall, WVU, Glenville State, and others are featured, and there seems to be quite a bit of details added to the history of these haunted locations that tends to be largely left out of other works.

Paranormal Files: West Virginia wraps up with a chapter from Dave Spinks on the Haunts of Greenbrier County. As Dave is an active paranormal investigator in the state, this section strays from the simple re-telling of a ghost story.  Rather, Dave investigates each location mentioned in this section, including The General Lewis Inn, the 'Angel of Death Statue' of Old Stone Church's burial yard, and the Greenbrier Ghost. 

Also included in this book are the individual tributes of each author to the amazing Rosemary Ellen Guiley. Rosemary was an author and researcher who dedicated quite a bit of time in researching ghosts and monsters of West Virginia.  She tragically passed away July 18, 2019, leaving a void in the paranormal research community.  Ending the book with these touching remembrances was a sweet way to wrap up a volume of West Virginia ghost stories.

So what did I think of the book as a whole?  As stated, I thought the format was pretty unique. Having each author cover a small subsection of West Virginia's haunted history made for a fast and entertaining read. Each author brought his own writing style and point of view to the book. Aside from a few minor, yet distracting editing issues, each section was well-written and was full of information, both of a historical and a haunted nature.  This is definitely a book I'm glad to have on my shelf, and if you're a collector of paranormal non-fiction, or just love to read the haunted history of West Virginia, you'll want to add it to your shelf, too! 

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Book Review for West Virginia's Dark Tourism

Title: West Virginia's Dark Tourism
Author: Tony Urban
Published by Schiffer Publishing, 2016
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I've actually had this book, half-read, sitting on my shelf for nearly two years.  I don't know why I never got around to finishing and reviewing it, but I figured I'd use the recent worldwide unpleasantness to get caught up on some reading, this book included!

West Virginia's Dark Tourism follows author, Tony Urban, often accompanied by his mother, Sharon, and his dogs around the Mountain State in search of haunted locations, urban legends, and other weird and spooky sites. Recently, the term 'dark tourism' has been defined as tourism involving travel to places historically associated with death and tragedy. More recently, it was suggested that the concept should also include reasons tourists visit that site, since the site's attributes alone may not make a visitor a "dark tourist". The main attraction to dark locations is their historical value rather than their associations with death and suffering.

West Virginia certainly has its fair share of locations that would fit that description!  We were born out of the turmoil of the Civil War. We endured violent mine wars, industrial accidents,  and natural disasters.  We're home to quite a few strange and bizarre paranormal events.  And, unfortunately, we've seen some grisly murders in our state's 150+ year history.

The locations featured in the book cover all these aspects.  Urban visits locations such as the Mothman Museum in Pt. Pleasant, a snake-handling church in Jolo, and the scene of the Quiet Dell Murders in Marion County.  He visits haunted locations such as the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Harpers Ferry National Park, and Peterkin Retreat.  Over 61 locations are explored, complete with awesome photographs and just enough historical background to make it interesting.

Obviously, I enjoyed this road trip of a book around my home state.  I've been to the majority places found in the book, but it was nice seeing a few I wasn't as familiar with.  It was also nice seeing some of the more popular locations being seen through someone's eyes who is seeing them for the first time.  I love reading about people's impressions of driving up to the Palace of Gold for the first time, or experiencing the historic tour of the WV State Penitentiary at Moundsville.  

Some of these locations may be difficult to find OR access, especially the more remote locations, but the majority are publicly accessible, making this a great guidebook for anyone planning to do some traveling around West Virginia, once travel is back to normal!  I, for one, have gotten some ideas for some day trips to take with my husband once things settle back down.  As an added bonus, many of these locations require little to no human interaction, making social distancing still doable!

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the dark history of West Virginia, or who plan on traveling through the state and is looking for a few unique things to see along the way.  I read this book cover to cover in one sitting, but its format and large, glossy pages filled with color photos make it a great book to just sit out and pick up to thumb through whenever you have a few minutes. So sit back, relax, and travel the wild and weird state of West Virginia without ever leaving home...or plan an epic summer road trip of West Virginia's best dark tourism sites!

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Book Review: West Virginia Ghost Stories, Legends, Haunts, and Folklore

Title: West Virginia Ghost Stories, Legends, Haunts, and Folklore
Author: Janette Quackenbush
Published: 2018 by 21 Crows Dusk to Dawn Publishing, 21 Crows, LLC
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Author's Website

I don't mean to go all fan-girl, but I've been following Jannette Quackenbush's awesome Facebook page, Haunted West Virginia for quite some time and I try to share her wonderfully researched stories of West Virginia ghosts and haunted locations whenever I can. 

Therefore, I was ecstatic when I finally got to meet her in person during the Beckley Oddities Fair last October!  In addition to having a wonderful chat where she deeply inspired me to get off my butt and finish up my own book, I was able to purchase a signed copy of West Virginia Ghost Stories, Legends, Haunts, and Folklore, which includes the Legend of Seneca Rocks.  Jannette had several books for sale (which can also be purchased through Amazon and through her website), and I kind of chose this particular title somewhat at random.  I chose wisely!

Ya'll know I LOVE collecting books on West Virginia hauntings, ghost stories, cryptozoology, UFOlogy, and just anything weird pertaining to the Mountain State, and so I've amassed quite a few volumes over the years.  And I have to say, this one is definitely one of my favorites!  What really stands out to me is that not only are each of the stories that perfect mix of history and legend, but that Jannette and her family actually VISITED each and every location listed!

By actually visiting the locations discussed in the book, the author is able to share updated photographs of the area, personal paranormal experiences, interviews and information from locals, and first-hand knowledge (complete with GPS coordinates) of where exactly to find these places so you can visit for yourself.  The stories are arranged according to geographical location, making it even easier to find specific stories for a specific area.

There's also a great mix of classic, well-known stories from West Virginia ghost lore that most people will be familiar with AND stuff that is a little more obscure.  Historic haunts are plucked from newspaper archives and more recent hauntings are told by those who have experienced them. West Virginia's strong connections with both the Civil War and the history of the railroad industry are prominently featured and explored through their ghostly heritage, making this an especially interesting read for me personally from a historic viewpoint. Overall, it's just a really well-written, super entertaining read.  It's packed FULL of stories coming in at 300+ pages, but its a quick read as each location ranges from a few sentences to a few pages in length, and generally comes with lots of historical and current photos.

Obviously, I highly recommend making West Virginia Ghost Stories, Legends, Haunts, and Folklore (and the author's other books) a part of your own paranormal library!  You can purchase them online, or meet Jannette at upcoming events, including the Morgantown ParaCon on March 14th 2020  and at Wild and Weird Con on April 4th 2020!

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Book Review for Haunted Journeys: Waverly Hills

Title--Haunted Journeys: Waverly Hills
Authors--Sarah French and Joe Knetter
Published--by CreateSpace (September 2017)
Amazon Purchase Information

Ya'll know I can't resist a book about one of the most haunted locations in the world!  Waverly Hills is one of those iconic, bucket-list locations that every paranormal enthusiast loves to discuss.  So much has already been written about the infamous TB hospital where so many people suffered tremendously before losing their lives, but that hasn't stopped me from collecting everything I can on it!

Therefore, I was pretty thrilled when Aaron sent me a photo of books for sale at a Kentucky flea market and asked if I wanted any.  Of the offerings available, I picked Haunted Journeys: Waverly Hills, by Sarah French and Joe Knetter.

This was an...interesting....book, lol.  Sarah is a horror actress and Joe is a horror writer, and together they enjoy investigating haunted locations and writing about their experiences.  I love reading the experiences of other investigators, especially at iconic locations.  I love to keep up with what techniques and equipment others in the field are using, what their ideologies entail, and what kinds of personal experiences they have.

I also love to read the history of haunted locations, and Waverly Hills is definitely FULL of history.  There was some history covered in the book.  It wasn't an overwhelming amount, but sufficient to set up the atmosphere and background for the investigation aspects of the book.  Sarah and Joe explore some of the most haunted locations throughout Waverly's maze of hallways and floors.  And, they had some pretty awesome experiences, including seeing Waverly's shadow people, having a ball roll away and then return without any noticeable wind, and witnessing some pretty intriguing interaction with a flashlight.

The authors do try to debunk their experiences, and acknowledge a skeptical point of view without compromising what they truly feel is paranormal.  It was fun to read about their experiences, learn a little more about the most common reports of activity from Waverly Hills, and see their photos. The only thing about this book that took a little getting used to was the style in which it was written.  It was written in a very post-investigation/during-investigation conversational viewpoint between the two authors.  That in and of itself was okay, albeit a tad distracting a times, but often they'd go way off-topic, loving to talk about things of a sexual nature.  Throughout my reading, I was stuck between thinking this was at least something new and different than your normal book of this type...and thinking that this was just a non-funny clawing at trying to fill out page count, lol.  But, when it was all said and done, the style of writing doesn't really bother me, and I'd definitely be willing to try one of the other books the authors were plugging during this one.

It was a fun read...but it was a QUICK read.  The font in this book was huge, and there were plenty of pictures to help fill out the space.  If you're planning a trip to Waverly Hills for an investigation, this would be a nice little read to give you some tips on what to expect and where to go, and to set the mood for your experience.  There are even some music recommendations and a recipe to try! I would probably not let anyone under 13 read it, though, lol. 

Craving MORE Waverly Hills blogs from Theresa's Haunted History?  Try:

Mary Lee's Ghost Photo
Faces of Waverly Hills: Slideshow of Historic Photos

Book Review: West Virginia Bigfoot by Dave Spinks

Title: West Virginia Bigfoot
Author: Dave Spinks
Published: 2018 by Leprechaun Press
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Long-time readers of this blog know I cannot say no to a new book for my personal paranormal library, especially when it deals with some spooky or strange topic relevant to West Virginia!  One of my latest acquisitions is West Virginia Bigfoot, authored by local paranormal researcher and investigator, Dave Spinks!

I picked up my autographed copy last November at the Flatwoods Monster Museum's Bazaare.  The Bazaare was a really cool event where various authors, film makers, and researchers of WV ghost and monster lore came together to meet and greet with paranormal enthusiasts, share and acquire new stories, and of course, sell some merch!

Since I go to quite a few paranormal-related events throughout the Mountain State, I was familiar with Dave's work, and excited to finally pick up a copy of his new book for myself.  West Virginia Bigfoot is a slender volume, coming in at 104 pages, but it is full absolutely fascinating case studies and personal experiences with the creature we've come to know as Bigfoot.

Admittedly, my interests in the paranormal lie within the realm of ghosts, hauntings, and afterlife studies.  However, I'm becoming more and more enamored with the study of cryptozoology and its connections, however tenuous, with other 'paranormal' phenomenon. This was a great, quick read to  incorporate into my study of this area.

After a brief introduction by researcher David Weatherly, West Virginia Bigfoot starts with Dave's own experience as a youngster with a Bigfoot creature.  Collected tales from friends, family, colleagues, and others fill out the majority of the book.  These tales come from all over the state and most occurred between the 1970's and 2016, with a few historical anecdotes thrown in as support.  Also included in the book are theories as to what Bigfoot might be, why West Virginia seems to be such a great habitat for such creatures, and some locations that seem to have a high concentration of sightings.

Obviously, there's a lot of value to scientifically examining the Bigfoot phenomena and presenting theories along with the evidence to support those theories. Dave takes an objective look at the various viewpoints of Bigfoot and includes information on historical perspectives, anthropological perspectives, and religious perspectives. Research from Rosemary Ellen Guiley is even presented as an overview to the theory of Bigfoot from a 'paraphysical' perspective.  These are all integral parts of a satisfying and complete Bigfoot book...but my favorite part was the stories!

I love to hear peoples' experiences.  Real people sharing their real stories in their own words is my favorite part of this book. Each experience is documented in just the right way as to be entertaining, yet still contain enough important detail to be useful to a serious researcher.  These stories read like stories...and not necessarily dry case studies armed with just the bare facts.  Further, these tales aren't ones you're going to come across over and over again.  Many of the experiences were submitted to Dave through family and friends who have never reported or published these stories anywhere else.

West Virginia Bigfoot is obviously a labor of love, and its apparent that quite a bit of time and research has gone into producing quite a comprehensive, yet entertaining and quick read concerning one of West Virginia's many mysteries.  If you're a Bigfoot enthusiast, or a just a fan of all things strange and spooky in the Mountain State, I'd recommend adding West Virginia Bigfoot by Dave Spinks to YOUR personal library!

Book Review: The Iowa Road Guide to Haunted Locations

Title: The Unexplained Presents---The Iowa Road Guide to Haunted Locations
Authors: Chad Lewis and Terry Fisk
Published by Unexplained Research LLC, 2007
Amazon Purchase Information

One of my favorite things about the annual Mothman Festival is the abundance of paranormal non-fiction books available for purchase!  I always walk away with a least a few, most of which whose authors are actually at the festival, ready to chat and sign copies of their work!

This year, I showed an extreme amount of self-control with the purchase of only two books.  I picked up The Unexplained Presents: The Iowa Road Guide to Haunted Locations and also the South Dakota Road Guide to Haunted Places.  That second one will be reviewed at a later date; for this blog post, I want to concentrate on the Iowa book.

So, admittedly I picked out the Iowa book from quite a few available selections because I honestly thought I did not have any books on Iowa hauntings.  As part of my personal paranormal library goals, I'm trying to collect at least one book of regional ghost stories/hauntings from each state.  However, like most people who have too many books, I totally forgot I already had an Iowa book.  But, it was no big deal, because this book was totally different...and a lot of fun to read!

The Iowa Road Guide to Haunted Locations was inspired by the authors' own ghost hunting exploits throughout the state.  During their quest to visit certain locations with a haunted location, they found that a lot of the directions they were given were pretty much useless, causing them to waste hours driving around in circles.  So, they created a handy lil' guide for future legend trippers. This book is packed full of easily accessible haunted hot spots from every corner of the state.  That means that you're going to find a LOT of cemeteries, highways, bridges and parks. There are a few public buildings, such as museums and retail locations, added in as well. 

Each chapter features detailed directions to the location, including any admission and/or contact information where applicable.  There is a Ghost Lore section that gives a quick overview of the alleged hauntings, followed by a timeline of important historical events related to that location.  The basics are followed up with an Investigation section where the authors expand on the legends and ghost stories, talk to witnesses, and explore the authenticity of the claims.  Where applicable, there is also a small 'Dare' section, sharing urban legends you can try for yourself, such as kissing cursed cemetery statuary.

Chapters generally run just a few pages long, so at a total length of 262 pages, you're really getting a TON of different locations.  That format also makes this a fairly quick read, which you can read straight through, skip around, or use as an actual road guide out on road.

I really enjoyed the fluff-free style of this book and think its perfect for anyone who just wants to go out legend tripping---exploring spooky areas and testing out the silly stories passed down generation after generation.  As someone who has never even been to Iowa, I also still found value in this book as a fun introduction to Iowa's many cemetery legends, some of which get right down WEIRD.  However, I'm not entirely sure how useful this format would be for a seasoned investigator working in Iowa.  Each entry, while offering an adequate overview, didn't go too deep into the historical research of the featured location, nor did much evidence was explored or collected.  In fact, for the majority of featured locations, it was pretty clear that there was far more fiction than fact behind the alleged paranormal associations.

Still, this was a really fun read and I definitely recommend it becoming a part of YOUR own paranormal library.  However, if you just have no interest in the ghosts of Iowa, there are plenty of other books in the Unexplained series; check out their website at Unexplained Research for more titles! 

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Book Review for A History of Moonville, Ohio and a Collection of its Haunting Tales

Title: A History of Moonville, Ohio and a Collection of its Haunting Tales---Revised Edition
Author: William M. Cullen
Published 2013 by Xlibris LLC
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Several weeks ago, my boyfriend and I attended the third annual Midnight at Moonville festival, a fun celebration of the history and the hauntings of a small Ohio railroad community and its infamous haunted train tunnel.  This was my first visit to the haunted Moonville Tunnel, and while a festival setting wasn't really conducive to experiencing the tunnel's paranormal activity for myself, we had a wonderful time.  One of the souvenirs I picked up from the Vinton County Tourism booth was the book, A History of Moonville, Ohio and a Collection of its Haunting Tales!  If you know me, you know I love to pick up a volume of local ghost stories any time we go out of town.  There were a couple of options available, but I chose this particular book because I thought it would be a pretty comprehensive look at both the history AND the ghost stories.

And, it was.  At only 80 pages, this book was a short, quick read but it was stuffed full of information.  As the title would reflect, it is basically broken down into two parts---the first being a history of how the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad came to build a line through this rural, desolate woodland and the early families that lived and worked in the area. Being a native West Virginian, I was personally interested in how closely the history of Moonville could be linked to the history of what is now West Virginia (then still part of Virginia at the time of the railroad's inception). The ability to have railway access from various points in Ohio to places such as Parkersburg and Wheeling was one major reason for the rail line to be built in this area, and there were a couple of families of note who moved to the region from West Virginia.  However, the overwhelming reason why this isolated area made such a great location for the railway was simply because the Coe family who owned a huge chunk of the land where Moonville would sit 'donated' the property.  I use the word 'donated' in quotation marks because the Coes received quite the personal benefit of having the railroad come through that area.

To a history buff, this section of the book was pretty interesting to me, and I learned a lot about the area.  If you don't allow yourself to be bogged down by the potentially confusing genealogy and string of birth/death dates, there are some really great stories, and some pretty useful information (such as why the town was named after the Moon family and not the Coe family) that would especially be of interest to those wanting to conduct a paranormal investigation at the tunnel.  Speaking of paranormal....

The second part of the book is dedicated to the plethora of ghost stories and haunting legends surrounding the area of the tunnel and what used to be the town of Moonville. This is the part of the book that I found the most fascinating.  Obviously, I LOVE a good ghost story, but I think the author did an excellent job in sorting out the legends of Moonville.  For YEARS, the area around the Moonville Tunnel has had a reputation for being haunted.  As far back as 1895, a Chillicothe based newspaper ran a story about the Ghost of Moonville:

"A ghost (after an absence of one year) returned and appeared in front of a freight at the point where Engineer Lawhead lost his life. The ghost is seen in a white robe and carrying a lantern. "The eyes glistened like balls of fire and surrounding it was a halo of twinkling stars" - Chillicothe Gazette, 17 Feb 1895"

Stories from actual railroad employees witnessing an apparition and/or a phantom lantern were still being reported through the mid-1980s---all the way up until CSX stopped running trains through the area and tore the tracks up.  Obviously, there were also plenty of experiences being reported by local residents, hikers, kids partying in the area, and paranormal investigators starting in the late 1800's and still going on today!  Some of these stories and experiences deal with 'other' ghosts of the tunnel---a lady who shows up as a blue orb, another lady in white who appears as a solid person walking along the area where the tracks once stood, and the laughing of a little girl who was allegedly hit by a train in the mid 1980's. 

But, there appears to be one main, or as some call him, one TRUE GHOST of the Moonville Tunnel. 

This is where things get REALLY confusing.  There are a ton of stories of a phantom haunting the area around Moonville Tunnel that share some striking similarities.  However, the variations in these stories are unlimited, as are the alleged back stories for how this ghost came to be.  Sometimes this apparition is seen as an 8 foot tall African-American man with piercing red eyes.  In some stories, he is wearing railroad attire and in others, he is dressed as a miner (there was also a coal mine in the Moonville area).  He is often seen with a flowing white beard, and in some variations of the tale, is wearing a doctor's white coat (or a sheet?!).  Once in awhile, he is seen without a head!  However, in nearly all variations of the story, he is seen waving a lantern, desperately trying to get passing trains to stop.

Theories abound as to who this ghost could be.  Was he a doctor trying to flag down a passing train in order to save the smallpox ravaged village?  Was he a drunken miner who stumbled in front of a passing train?  Was he an employee of the railroad, either a brakeman, an engineer, who suffered an accident or was murdered?  Or was he someone else entirely?  Like most ghost stories, I think there is no real clear answer.  Based on historical documentation provided by the author, it seems as if there are kernels of truth embedded in each of these different tales.  As stated earlier, the area is extremely rural and for people living there in the latter half of the 19th century and early 20th, there wasn't a great way to travel.  The easiest and quickest route to the next town over was to walk along the railroad tracks.  However, this was an extremely dangerous endeavor because between Moonville and the next town over, there were four trestle bridges and two tunnels.  If you were caught on a trestle or in the tunnel when a train approached and couldn't get out of the way fast enough, you were done for...and that's exactly the fate of at least 34 people the author could confirm.

So maybe there isn't one true ghost of Moonville, but several, whose stories have intermingled and have been added on to throughout each new re-telling over the past 100 years.  However, that still doesn't explain, exactly, the ghost mentioned in the 1895 newspaper.  According to the author and several other sources I've seen, the ghost mentioned in that article...the one who would probably qualify as Moonville's True Ghost....is an engineer named Theodore Lawhead.  Lawhead, and his fireman, Charles Krick, were killed in a horrific head-on train collision in November of 1880.  Based on Lawhead's fate, and the dates of the accident and when the first ghost stories began circulating, it would make sense that the ghost is in fact Lawhead.  Is Lawhead still trying to warn others of the dangers of the Moonville Line?  There are plenty of people out there who believe so!

Further Reading:

Moonville Tunnel: The Ghosts, the Legends, the Town

Theresa Travels to the Midnight at Moonville Festival

Theresa's Book Reviews

Theresa's Haunted Ohio Page