Coffin Hollow and Other Ghost Tales

by Ruth Ann Musick

Mysterious vanishing hitchhikers, travelers beset by headless dogs, and long-dead moonshiners come alive in this collection of ninety-six Appalachian folktales. Set in coal mines and remote farm cabins, in hidden hollows and on mountain tops, some of these stories look back to the days when West Virginia was first settled; others reflect the rancor and brutality of the Civil War. But most of these tales guide us through the recent past of the uncommonly rich folk heritage of West Virginia. This ghostly collection, with source information and bold illustrations, will thrill longtime lovers of supernatural lore.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Folklore, Ghosts, Fiction, Ghost Stories, Paranormal

214 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1977

Reviews

[Saidey Fahey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at my school every year in grade school. It really was one of the best books to read as a kid and it continuously brings back memories for me. This book is comprised of multiple stories from different people in West Virginia. For me, this book brings memories of things my grandpa and uncles would tell my cousins and me when we were kids around the campfire. The quality of these stories combined allows for the reader to dive into different ways of storytelling and allows the imagination to run free.

[Clara DeBastiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

i would love to read this book for the first time again

[Jay Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun slice of Appalachian tales, supposedly all sourced legitimately from locals. Stories range from ghostly Confederates, Yankees, slaves, railworkers, miners, pioneers, indians, and everything in between. Many stories are pretty much made-up (surely some of the gruesome deaths would've left newspaper reports), but I was pleasantly surprised to read that many stories had basis in fact (there's a good retelling of the locally famous ghost of Zona Shue and the Maco light). The stories are grouped thematically, which is probably useful for scholarly purposes, but makes the stories predictable after a while (several stories in a row about decapitation, then several stories about ghostly dogs, etc.).

[Dragonclaws2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a pretty bad sequel of a collection of ghost stories. I thought it was going to be like the Telltale Lilac Bush but it definitely wasn't. There was barely in diversity of the stories and my followed the same template over and over. There weren't even sections like in the Telltale Lilac Bush! It was just disappointing.

[Angelica Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first ghost story books I ever read. It's full of short, spooky stories that are perfect for a cold October evening. It's one of the books that are always on my ready list every October.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book of folktales and legends based in West Virginia. I grew up hearing these, or variations of them, as told to me by my grandparents.

[Lynnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun collection of ghost stories collected, categorized, and compiled by Musick. Some are more detailed than others, given the varied sources.

[Poppi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book honestly shaped my childhood and ruined me on just about all other collections of ghost tales. I checked this book out of the library at least once a month growing up, and bought it as an adult where I reread it occasionally from time to time.

[Keisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. It's full of great ghost stories for any age. I actually heard about this book from a guest at my school because they were reading from it and I loved it and I wanted the book for so long but I forgot about it and a few years later is when I really got into reading an I went to booksamillion and randomly thought of the book so I looked for it and they actually had it. I've been reading this book for years. I know my favorite stories by heart and they never get old. I am a sucker for a ghost story and this book is jam packed. I will read these ghost stories to my kids because they are absolutely amazing and creepy and some are just downright sad but I'm a lover of this book. And me raving about it says a ton because I am so picky. And some books you grow out of when you grow older but so far this book has stayed near and dear! Love love love!

[A.J. Caywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book back when I was in elementary school. It was THE book every kid in the class wanted to check out. The stories were interesting and spooky, giving us kids just enough chills to get scared, but not have nightmares--for too long!

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and The Telltale Lilac Bush were staples during my childhood in West Virginia. Perhaps the industry, labor, and poverty make the region so attracted to ghost stories. Revisiting this brought back so many memories and definitely entertained.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here’s a rich sampling of Appalachian folklore from this West Virginia author.

[Renee Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful book for anyone who loves a good spooky story. Exspecially if one takes place right in your back yard. A wonderful follow up to telltale lilac bush

[Osaka Tides · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, especially since it's about the folklore around where I live. Most of the stories are pretty similar to one another, though, but there are a few standouts.