What do you think?
Rate this book
The Medium Next Door: Adventures of a Real-Life Ghost Whisperer
At just five years old, Maureen Hancock discovered her ability to communicate with the dead. Descended from a long line of legendary Irish mystics, she was no stranger to the spiritual realm, but for fear of being misunderstood by her friends and family she kept the otherworldly messages to herself, eventually suppressing them completely.
Maureen wouldn't hear the spirits again until she was in a near-fatal car crash. Soon after, she had hundreds of voices in her head, many of which helped her crack cases and expose fraud in her role as a litigation paralegal at a large Boston law firm. Then, when tragedy struck on 9/11, Maureen was bombarded with messages from the spirit world. As each one made contact with her, she finally came to terms with her calling: to communicate with the deceased, assist the dying, search for missing children, and teach the living about life after death, all the while raising her children in her suburban home.
Maureen Hancock is literally the Medium Next Door, and in this book and through her stories of her encounters with the other world as well as guided exercises at the conclusion of each chapter, she offers the same comfort and wisdom she shares in her healing encounters and lectures about what is out there waiting for all who are open to its mysteries. . . .
Maureen wouldn't hear the spirits again until she was in a near-fatal car crash. Soon after, she had hundreds of voices in her head, many of which helped her crack cases and expose fraud in her role as a litigation paralegal at a large Boston law firm. Then, when tragedy struck on 9/11, Maureen was bombarded with messages from the spirit world. As each one made contact with her, she finally came to terms with her calling: to communicate with the deceased, assist the dying, search for missing children, and teach the living about life after death, all the while raising her children in her suburban home.
Maureen Hancock is literally the Medium Next Door, and in this book and through her stories of her encounters with the other world as well as guided exercises at the conclusion of each chapter, she offers the same comfort and wisdom she shares in her healing encounters and lectures about what is out there waiting for all who are open to its mysteries. . . .
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2011
67 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
January 20, 2012
I found the author to be egotistical and her observations of questionable validity. She prays to her dead grandmother and others in order to connects with the dead and to bring "closure" to those who grieve. She says she takes no money for her gift of clairvoyance, however, she is obsessed with landing a television reality show. The show obviously is a bomb and so is this book. Watch out to whom you pray.
June 9, 2011
So interesting, just as Maureen herself is. What I especially liked about this book is that she has a section at the end of each chapter of questions and ideas of things to think and meditate about in your own personal life that connect to her chapter. Very readable and upbeat.
April 16, 2011
Absolutely amazing! Hancock's voice and tone is so enjoyable and pleasant. What a wonderful story, and an even more wonderful woman.
January 5, 2012
Very inspiring and moving. I learned a lot and it gave me assurance and confidence.
August 4, 2018
This book was pretty enjoyable to read. I really liked some of the author's philosophy about death and what comes after. I now live in the same area in which Maureen Hancock lived and did many reading for people and I am pretty much convinced that she is the real thing. The persons I know who have been to one or more of her readings think that she is really accurate. The book describes from Maureen's POV various contacts that she had had of people who have died. Some of her stories really made me believe in her. The book itself was a pretty good read, although slow in parts. On the whole I liked the way the book was organized with Maureen's own experiences as well as the experiences of some of her clients. And she answered some of the questions that people would have about death and what happens to the deceased. I also thought it was really cool that she mentioned so many local businesses.
February 21, 2021
I admit to being skeptical but some of what Maureen writes resonates with me. I actually went to a medium years ago who was recommended by a friend. Having no belief in the afterlife whatsoever, i didn’t give any leading answers. This person knew things about me nobody else did. Completely convinced me it’s not a scam. However, Maureen states there’s a Book of Life each spirit refers to in order to evaluate their past life. She also mentions one spirit teaching children in a red schoolhouse in mountains similar to Sound of Music. And he “golfs when he can fit it in”! That really spoiled it for me. Spirits golfing???!!!
August 21, 2017
I really enjoy reading about mediums and their experiences. I used to watch the TV show based on her talents and experiences. What I did not know about her was that she has dedicated her life and her talents to helping people heal from grief and illnesses. She is a fascinating woman. The book is not that well written as far as writers go, but I felt like she was sitting at my table, enjoying tea or wine and just sharing. I read it in a day and enjoyed it thoroughly.
February 26, 2018
Lighthearted stories from a New England medium
I enjoyed this because it g ave you lots of information about spirits and grief without being serious. Maureen conveys the important stuff using real examples of readings she has done and in some cases, has the surviving relative tell you in their own words. Fast read.
I enjoyed this because it g ave you lots of information about spirits and grief without being serious. Maureen conveys the important stuff using real examples of readings she has done and in some cases, has the surviving relative tell you in their own words. Fast read.
March 7, 2019
I find this whole subject matter fascinating, and Maureen Hancock's life so interesting. I have been to one of Maureen Hancock's events and plan to go to another next month. She is so genuine, humorous and interesting. Her writing held my attention throughout and I can't wait to follow more of her career. Highly recommend this book to anyone who finds this subject interesting.
February 26, 2025
fabulous book both funny and heartwarming
Being from Marines part of Massachusetts, I was able to relate with many of the instances that she mentioned throughout the book.
I recently saw her in person and her connections are totally amazing. Upon reading the book, it’s wonderful as to how she is able to help so many people..
Being from Marines part of Massachusetts, I was able to relate with many of the instances that she mentioned throughout the book.
I recently saw her in person and her connections are totally amazing. Upon reading the book, it’s wonderful as to how she is able to help so many people..
June 13, 2020
Maureen Hancock is a medium and she has had abilities all of her life. The story was very interesting and made you think about when young children tell you things about relatives or things they have seen that don't quite make sense.
June 19, 2022
Maureen is a gifted Psychic Medium and a talented writer. She has helped so many of the members of our nonprofit, Helping Parents Heal, with her live demonstrations of mediumship, that she does free of charge. She is truly an earth angel.
December 7, 2017
Referred
I just finished reading this book, low and behold was able to refer a stranger that was going through a loss of their child to read this book
I just finished reading this book, low and behold was able to refer a stranger that was going through a loss of their child to read this book
August 17, 2019
Very good read. Gave me chills at times. I will be rereading this again in the future.
June 17, 2020
Memoir by a medium. Interesting information but it became a bit repetitive and all the death was bringing me down
August 12, 2020
Maureen is a beautiful person with unique abilities. She is caring and willing to help others through difficult losses.
December 16, 2020
I enjoyed this book
June 14, 2022
Shady ,Narrowly informed, biased and blunt.
Psychic could be but a really poor one at that.
Psychic could be but a really poor one at that.
February 10, 2023
I thought it was a pretty interesting book. At times, wish I had the ability to do what she does.
March 20, 2017
I loved reading this book, excellent read. She is an amazing woman!!!
October 24, 2019
An absolutely fascinating read and look into the life of a woman who uses her gift to give back to so many.
November 15, 2011
The Medium Next Door: Adventures of a Real-Life Ghost Whisperer is a new age spiritual book on channeling.
Maureen Hancock was raised in a large family of Irish Catholic heritage. It is said she was born with a veil over her when she was born and old wives tales and legends have always explained this as being "special" in psychic abilities.
Ever since she had a near-death experience as a little girl, Maureen has seen things that she was unable to explain and she decides to stifle her "gift" for the next couple of decades, as she feared her abilities.
When she regains her abilities by allowing them to return, she finds that she is even more heightened to the spiritual energies that were attracted to her. Now, she is able to communicate with them and they with her.
Since then, she has been on talk shows, held seminars, assisted police in cases and shared herself with anyone who wishes to hear her story. From the Mayan spirits who arrived in her hotel to tell her that her mother was having heart attack to the story of Suzie whose son Bo hung himself and wanted to let his family know he is still with them, each of these anecdotes are shared in a heart-warming and friendly manner.
I thought this was an interesting read and if you love paranormal then you will definitely find something in this book. The stories that Maureen shares are quite thought-provoking and truly freaky in their content. I am not sure how I would deal with such a "gift"! I have my own "gifts", not only was I born with a caul, but I was born dead to boot and I often shy away from my own abilities and am thankful I cannot speak to dead people. Though I would try it for a day if it were possible!
I did find some of the stories and flow of the book to be disconnected and at times it was hard for me to stay involved with the story. While I do believe in Maureen's gifts, some of the stories are unbelievable and you wish you could have your own reading just to fully understand her gifts. She is quick to put the skeptics at ease by relating stories only they would know to show the connection between the departed soul and the loved one.
It is a quick read even with over 260 pages of text, it is written in a friendly narrative, giving the reader a bit of insight into the author. This would make an interesting book to discuss in book groups or to read on rainy afternoon.
Maureen Hancock was raised in a large family of Irish Catholic heritage. It is said she was born with a veil over her when she was born and old wives tales and legends have always explained this as being "special" in psychic abilities.
Ever since she had a near-death experience as a little girl, Maureen has seen things that she was unable to explain and she decides to stifle her "gift" for the next couple of decades, as she feared her abilities.
When she regains her abilities by allowing them to return, she finds that she is even more heightened to the spiritual energies that were attracted to her. Now, she is able to communicate with them and they with her.
Since then, she has been on talk shows, held seminars, assisted police in cases and shared herself with anyone who wishes to hear her story. From the Mayan spirits who arrived in her hotel to tell her that her mother was having heart attack to the story of Suzie whose son Bo hung himself and wanted to let his family know he is still with them, each of these anecdotes are shared in a heart-warming and friendly manner.
I thought this was an interesting read and if you love paranormal then you will definitely find something in this book. The stories that Maureen shares are quite thought-provoking and truly freaky in their content. I am not sure how I would deal with such a "gift"! I have my own "gifts", not only was I born with a caul, but I was born dead to boot and I often shy away from my own abilities and am thankful I cannot speak to dead people. Though I would try it for a day if it were possible!
I did find some of the stories and flow of the book to be disconnected and at times it was hard for me to stay involved with the story. While I do believe in Maureen's gifts, some of the stories are unbelievable and you wish you could have your own reading just to fully understand her gifts. She is quick to put the skeptics at ease by relating stories only they would know to show the connection between the departed soul and the loved one.
It is a quick read even with over 260 pages of text, it is written in a friendly narrative, giving the reader a bit of insight into the author. This would make an interesting book to discuss in book groups or to read on rainy afternoon.
April 26, 2011
Maureen is a gift from God for those in need of spiritual healing and comfort, she is the closest you can come to being in the prescence of an Angel.
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to review The Medium Next Door. In her book Maureen walks you through her life and how she got to where she is today. Maureen was raised Irish Catholic in a large family of nine children. She begins her story with her life as a child and how a near death experience opened up her intuition allowing her to see spirits. She explains why she turned this off as a child until another tragic accident when she was 25 brought it all back plus more, now she could also hear spirits speaking.
Maureen is a wife and mother of 2 boys and her everyday life is pretty normal consisting of getting her sons off to school in the morning and in the evening home for dinner, then off again for her Postcard from Heaven events, which keep her very busy. In between she manages her non-profit organizations: Seeds of Hope and Mission for the Missing. What I liked most about this book is how genuine and gentle a soul Maureen is and her passion for helping others to feel happiness through her readings. In chapter 17 "Tales from the Trenches" Maureen shares some readings and encounters which left me laughing and other times in tears. This book is part memoir with tips and suggestions you the reader can apply to your own life to help you heal if you have lost a loved one or to tune your own sensitive abilities. Abilities Maureen explains everyone has, just some are more in tune than others. Maureen is a gifted lady who uses her psychic gift including her gift of comedy to help her to connect spirits of the deceased with those that come to her in search of healing. I read The Medium Next Door in 2 days a record for me, I just had a hard time putting it down. Maureen speaks about her struggle with anxiety and depression due to her gift. I have only heard this talked about once before from a Medium and it only confirms Maureen is for real. This is something I share with her due to my own inner conflict with feelings of sensitivity. This book is a true inspiration and a must read for those who have the gift of being sensitive and for those who have lost loved ones due to tragedy or illness.
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to review The Medium Next Door. In her book Maureen walks you through her life and how she got to where she is today. Maureen was raised Irish Catholic in a large family of nine children. She begins her story with her life as a child and how a near death experience opened up her intuition allowing her to see spirits. She explains why she turned this off as a child until another tragic accident when she was 25 brought it all back plus more, now she could also hear spirits speaking.
Maureen is a wife and mother of 2 boys and her everyday life is pretty normal consisting of getting her sons off to school in the morning and in the evening home for dinner, then off again for her Postcard from Heaven events, which keep her very busy. In between she manages her non-profit organizations: Seeds of Hope and Mission for the Missing. What I liked most about this book is how genuine and gentle a soul Maureen is and her passion for helping others to feel happiness through her readings. In chapter 17 "Tales from the Trenches" Maureen shares some readings and encounters which left me laughing and other times in tears. This book is part memoir with tips and suggestions you the reader can apply to your own life to help you heal if you have lost a loved one or to tune your own sensitive abilities. Abilities Maureen explains everyone has, just some are more in tune than others. Maureen is a gifted lady who uses her psychic gift including her gift of comedy to help her to connect spirits of the deceased with those that come to her in search of healing. I read The Medium Next Door in 2 days a record for me, I just had a hard time putting it down. Maureen speaks about her struggle with anxiety and depression due to her gift. I have only heard this talked about once before from a Medium and it only confirms Maureen is for real. This is something I share with her due to my own inner conflict with feelings of sensitivity. This book is a true inspiration and a must read for those who have the gift of being sensitive and for those who have lost loved ones due to tragedy or illness.
July 17, 2011
This review first appeared on my blog: http://www.knittingandsundries.com/20...
Author Maureen Hancock comes from a long line of Irish healers and grew up with Southern, church-going women. Raised outside of Boston, she was born with a veil (or caul, as my Southern roots call it), which, according to some beliefs, indicate special gifts (ESP, etc.)
This book contains anecdotes telling the story of how she realized her gifts of healing and of hearing spirits, her family, her foundations, her work with law enforcement and holistic healing. She includes entries from her family and client journals as well as affirmations at the end of each chapter.
Many of the stories are both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and Maureen's narrative voice is like having a conversation with an earthy next-door-neighbor. As a former comedienne turned medium, with a large family and a husband and sons of her own, she takes the reader on a unique sort of journey, illustrating how holistic healing and her gift of clairaudience (hearing spirits) don't negate a belief in God and a higher power.
I found the book interesting, if a bit meandering and disconnected here and there. It IS a genuine accounting, and Maureen gives back to the community with Seeds of Hope (offers holistic healing, grief counseling, and other services), as well as Mission for the Missing. She offers many services at no cost.
Author Maureen Hancock comes from a long line of Irish healers and grew up with Southern, church-going women. Raised outside of Boston, she was born with a veil (or caul, as my Southern roots call it), which, according to some beliefs, indicate special gifts (ESP, etc.)
This book contains anecdotes telling the story of how she realized her gifts of healing and of hearing spirits, her family, her foundations, her work with law enforcement and holistic healing. She includes entries from her family and client journals as well as affirmations at the end of each chapter.
Many of the stories are both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and Maureen's narrative voice is like having a conversation with an earthy next-door-neighbor. As a former comedienne turned medium, with a large family and a husband and sons of her own, she takes the reader on a unique sort of journey, illustrating how holistic healing and her gift of clairaudience (hearing spirits) don't negate a belief in God and a higher power.
I found the book interesting, if a bit meandering and disconnected here and there. It IS a genuine accounting, and Maureen gives back to the community with Seeds of Hope (offers holistic healing, grief counseling, and other services), as well as Mission for the Missing. She offers many services at no cost.
November 8, 2011
This was an interesting read. Maureen writes with the ease of speaking directly to the reader, making her book easy and a pleasure to read.
Born one of nine children in an Irish Catholic family, Maureen tells of being intuitive from an early age. She writes of coming from a lineage of intuitive women, including her mother and grandmother. As a child, Maureen experienced a serious illness which brought her near death. She feels this heightened her abilities, making her more sensitive.
Since accepting her gift of intuition and insight, Maureen Hancock has co-founded two charitable organizations. "Seeds of Hope" provides support for those with terminal illness. "Mission for the Missing" helps those with missing family members. She also does work with private investigators. A believer in holistic medicine and healing, she practices through her center "Pathways to Healing", as well.
At the end of each chapter, Maureen offers exercises and instruction on using one's own intuition, dreams and experiences in life to perhaps benefit the reader through what she has learned.
Maureen has a keen sense of humor, as well. In fact, she has done stand-up comedy. Her humor is reflected in her writing. She does well in balancing humor with the serious nature of the book.
Ultimately, it is up to the reader to decide their own beliefs. This is regarding psychics, intuitives, the supernatural, and with all of life's issues, those known and unknown.
Born one of nine children in an Irish Catholic family, Maureen tells of being intuitive from an early age. She writes of coming from a lineage of intuitive women, including her mother and grandmother. As a child, Maureen experienced a serious illness which brought her near death. She feels this heightened her abilities, making her more sensitive.
Since accepting her gift of intuition and insight, Maureen Hancock has co-founded two charitable organizations. "Seeds of Hope" provides support for those with terminal illness. "Mission for the Missing" helps those with missing family members. She also does work with private investigators. A believer in holistic medicine and healing, she practices through her center "Pathways to Healing", as well.
At the end of each chapter, Maureen offers exercises and instruction on using one's own intuition, dreams and experiences in life to perhaps benefit the reader through what she has learned.
Maureen has a keen sense of humor, as well. In fact, she has done stand-up comedy. Her humor is reflected in her writing. She does well in balancing humor with the serious nature of the book.
Ultimately, it is up to the reader to decide their own beliefs. This is regarding psychics, intuitives, the supernatural, and with all of life's issues, those known and unknown.
May 7, 2011
Maureen Hancock considers herself part of the God Squad. She feels that her ability to communicate with the deceased is a gift that was granted to her by God.
When she was little, she had the ability to speak with the spirits. However, she quickly learned to shut this communication line off. However, she was in an car accident that helped to reopen it. Once it was reopened, she was truly amazed at the gift she was given.
She now has the ability to give closure to families who have lost loved ones through death. She has also assisted the police in using her ability to locate missing children.
There were various stories and anecdotes about spirits who have communicated with her. I think the one that hit me the most was when her own nephew Sean had passed away. I cried with the grief that she was going through. Being able to speak with him, did help ease some of her and her family’s grief though.
I was amazed at all the various ways in which she has used her talent. Maureen is truly a wonderful, giving spirit. I feel blessed that I had the chance to read this book.
In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
When she was little, she had the ability to speak with the spirits. However, she quickly learned to shut this communication line off. However, she was in an car accident that helped to reopen it. Once it was reopened, she was truly amazed at the gift she was given.
She now has the ability to give closure to families who have lost loved ones through death. She has also assisted the police in using her ability to locate missing children.
There were various stories and anecdotes about spirits who have communicated with her. I think the one that hit me the most was when her own nephew Sean had passed away. I cried with the grief that she was going through. Being able to speak with him, did help ease some of her and her family’s grief though.
I was amazed at all the various ways in which she has used her talent. Maureen is truly a wonderful, giving spirit. I feel blessed that I had the chance to read this book.
In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
January 30, 2012
I was expecting an autobiographical book, but not one that I found so engrossing and moving! It made me cry and laugh out loud. As Maureen herself says, "...this book is so much more than just reading someone else's story. It's a culmination of stories from tragdedy to triumph. It's a guidebook on transitioning from life to death and back again, and on living life to the fullest in memory of our loved ones in spirit."
I was also interested in how Maureen described her clairaudient experiences and it vavalidated some of my own psychic phenomena. I really enjoyed Maureen's down to earth personality, her humour, and her compassion.
I was also interested in how Maureen described her clairaudient experiences and it vavalidated some of my own psychic phenomena. I really enjoyed Maureen's down to earth personality, her humour, and her compassion.
April 30, 2013
I really enjoyed this book.I have had some experiences similar to her but shut them out because they scared me.Her approach is so light/normal about it though that it seems to have made me more aware again of those around me in spirit and less afraid of it.Her compassion, honesty, humour and love shine through and you just can't read this and think she's a fake.It's so obvious she isn't.I'd love to meet her one day. Really interesting read and ultimately it takes some of the sting out of death for me too and gives me a slightly different perspective on life and what we're here for.Thought provoking stuff.
July 14, 2011
She focused more on death than spirits. Yes, death involves spirits, but I felt like instead of telling the stories of the spirits, she focused on their deaths. The main deaths she focused on were those of young children and young adults. And she seemed to focus on cancer a lot. Also, she repeated herself quite a bit. I did enjoy the book, though. Towards the end of the book, it seemed like she finally figured out what she wanted to say and how she wanted to say it. The last maybe 3/4 of the book was the best.
August 2, 2011
This book was so wonderful! I cried,laughed (she is soo funny) and wrote down inspiring messages. I have had the good fortune to be read by Maureen many times. I have brought everyone that I know who needs comfort after losing a loved one to see her. She is an earth Angel who comforts everyone that she comes in contact with. A MUST read. P.S. Her TV pilot just aired , "Psychic in Suburbia " on Style network and it was great. I hope it becomes a series.. God Bless Maureen Hancock. I think I will read this book again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews