Not the usual haunted placesSeptember 9, 2008 I liked this book because the problem I find with alot of books about haunted places is they are either the same old stories about the same old places or they just sound full of it. I am a paranormal investigator and there are some things you find it very hard to believe a ghost could do. Most of the stuff in this book I had never heard before and sounded pretty realistic so that makes it five stars for me.
"With age comes history; with history comes death; with death comes ghosts." ~ Leslie RuleMay 15, 2008 Ever since having several unexplainable things happen in my own past I have always been fascinated by the paranormal, but up until now I had never read a book about other people's experiences before. At first I was simply drawn to Leslie Rule's "Coast To Coast Ghosts" by the gorgeous, dreamlike cover of wispy curtains flowing in the breeze (or from two lingering lovers dancing on the balcony... whichever) but it's when I read the gripping introduction that I found myself hooked. I knew I was in for a real treat, and I was right about that, but I did find certain parts less desirable than others. I would have liked for Leslie to have gone a bit more in-depth with many of the more intricate stories rather than making room to include a lot of short ones because they mostly just left me feeling disatisfied, wanting to hear more, but I did find most of the stories to be quite intriguing. I also understand that many of these retellings are from personal accounts so it is far more difficult to investigate or elaborate on someone else's experience.
With that being said, one of the two more notable stories that quickly come to mind is that of Captain Tony's Saloon in Key West Florida. It is not only built on top of a visible young woman's tombstone who was murdered by her secret lover after becoming pregnant with his child but it is also built around an alleged hanging tree that has left behind one of its victims. She supposedly haunts the place now and is known there as the "Blue Lady". Then there's the horrific documented telling of the Eastland ship that capsized under Chicago's Clark Street Bridge. In 1915 many employees and their families of The Western Electric Company were on their way to a picnic in Michigan when, instead, hundreds of people lost their lives. Shrieks can reportedly still be heard from those who drowned in the river on that fateful day.
I also enjoyed the more familiar stories about The Alamo, Myrtles Plantation, The Queen Mary, and my personal favorite, The Whaley House in San Diego which I hope to visit someday. There are many different types of stories featured in Leslie's book with sightings ranging from several various locations across America but it is hardly anything scary that will keep you up at night. She's obviously done her research and has a great respect and understanding of the dearly deceased.
Miss Rule rocks!!!!!!!!November 18, 2007 Rule sure got good writting genes from her mother Ann Rule. This a really good book on true ghost storys accross the USA. Very well written. Can't wait for her next book.
Great!October 9, 2007 Wonderful storytelling. A great read! Full of spooky tales.
Rose Pressey Author of "My Haunted Family"
Great collection of actual hauntings!! A MUST readSeptember 24, 2007 Awesome stories, actually scary or spooky.This is one of the best books I've found on true hauntings!
