Spooky Maryland: Tales of Hauntings, Strange Happenings, and Other Local Lore

by S.E. Schlosser, Paul G. Hoffman (Illustrator)

Twenty-five frightening tales about Gettysburg ghosts, the haunted Chesapeake, and much more, in an all-new addition to the bestselling Spooky series.

Genres: Ghosts, Ghost Stories, Folklore, Anthologies

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Author S.E. Schlosser has been telling stories since she was a child, when games of "let's pretend" quickly built themselves into full-length stories. A graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature and Rutgers University, she also created and maintains the website AmericanFolklore.net, where she shares a wealth of stories from all 50 states, some dating back to the origins of America.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Ashley R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think these were pretty well written but then feel kind of hodge-podgey as a collection. They’re mostly in older times but then there’s one at the very end that’s just suddenly in modern times, which kind of came out of nowhere? It got me in the mood for October though!

[Ashley Robichaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think these were pretty well written but then feel kind of hodge-podgey as a collection. They’re mostly in older times but then there’s one at the very end that’s just suddenly in modern times, which kind of came out of nowhere? It got me in the mood for October though!

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice collection of stories, ranging from lighter at the start and darker at the end. It's told in a sort of a conversational, almost folksy style that sounds like you're hearing the story from a neighbor

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review of this book can be found on my Youtube Vlog at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Aj75...

Enjoy!

[Lauren Rupkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

[Michelle Pulliam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun compilation of local haunted tales

[Lee L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Spooky Maryland," author S.E. Schlosser brings us Maryland's storied history through a detailed look at its legend and lore. The first bloodshed of the Civil War occurred here during the Baltimore Riot in 1861, and after assassinating Lincoln, it was to the Maryland countryside that John Wilkes Booth originally fled and was hidden by Confederate sympathizers. Ms. Schlosser gives us much to consider as we investigate the rich heritage of Maryland. Most intriguing are the tales she weaves around real historical events, and those that look through the eyes of a ghost.

In "The Well," a young confederate soldier recalls his last battle, the battle to keep Fox's Gap, as he reflects upon his experiences after death. He ponders how he has become routed to one spot, waking night after night with an uncontrollable compulsion to make the same trek again and again as he longs for freedom.

In "Traitor," we look through the eyes of Mary Surratt, who was hanged as a co-conspirator to Lincoln's assassination, as she reflects on her memories of happier times, days of laughter and camaraderie. Her memories are blurred now. She is confused, and is unsure of how she came to the place she is in now. Had she assisted the assassins? Now, she is uncertain.

In "Dawn's Early Light," we look through the eyes of a modern-day visitor to Fort McHenry, who is compelled to visit the fort after learning that the battle here in 1814 inspired Frances Scott Key to pen the words to the Star Spangled Banner. As our visitor, who I like to imagine is the author, steps into the interior of the fort, she is no longer blinking in the bright sunlight. She has been transported back to the night of September 13-14, 1814, the Battle of Baltimore, as one thousand brave American soldiers hold off the British who were attacking from the bay. After a night of heavy artillery exchange, she sees that, as dawn breaks, the American flag flying over the fort has indeed survived the night.

"Spooky Maryland" brings us an interesting blend of history and folklore. Ghosts, ghouls, pirates and the devil abound in the legends of Maryland. Ms. Schlosser's ability to invent and craft an engaging short story around a fantastic legend, no matter how implausible, is a refreshing way of looking at legend and lore. Lovers of both history and a well-told tale will enjoy this interesting collection. However, the reader must keep in mind that the "Spooky States" series by S.E. Schlosser is pure folklore. If you are looking for true, contemporary ghost stories complete with eye-witnesses, look elsewhere. If you enjoy a tale born solely of legend and lore and crafted by a master raconteur, you'll find it here.

(Review copy provided by publisher.)

[Morgan Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

After further thought, I've taken my rating down to two stars. It's not that this book doesn't have some fun stories, but they are too few in number. Only a few hold any relevance to Maryland, and the others are folktales and legends I've heard in a dozen other anthologies from all over the country. Out of 20-something tales, I can only remember the details of a few of them, and of those few, most are remembered because they're variations of stories I've heard before elsewhere. My other complaint was the writing. It was not good. Schlosser seems to be trying to write like she's telling the story over an evening campfire and it doesn't work. Add to that her attempts to capture the accents and colloquialisms of Marylanders, it's just bad all around.

What's most disappointing is that this book could be filled with *unique* stories from just *one* of the locations she uses. In Baltimore, there's the love spell George Peabody place on the Peabody conservatory to help students find their true loves, the ghosts on the USS Constellation, the legends of children getting lost in the mining tunnels under Federal Hill to name a few. Old Ellicott City has a ghost or a legend in almost every building and house! Instead, we're treated to a retelling of the vanishing hitch-hiker, a poorly veiled version of Poe's Tell Tale Heart, and one of the tamest stories about Black Aggie I've ever heard.

This isn't a *bad* book. It's just not a good one. If you want a collection of urban legends and you're not picky, I doubt anyone will have a problem with this book. But I have most of the same stories in different books, better written, and the others I'll remember.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love folklore, ghost stories, legends, and myths; especially those that are about and / or from Maryland and the surrounding states. Since I've lived is Maryland basically my whole life, I enjoy reading a good story, myth, legend, and folklore about an area, place, person, and so on about the area. This collection is definitely within the top three I've ever read. It gives a little background to the tale, the location, and other general info as well as the tale itself.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beings I am from Maryland I thought this book would be a fun October read. Unfortunately the author took folklore and gave it no depth. The book felt rushed. I could have been told it was a collection of stories written by local middle schoolers and I would have accepted that without question. These stories lack personality, development, and any characteristics that would make them stand out. Two thumbs down.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw this in the bookstore, but I was glad I checked it out from the library instead. There was some fun little stuff in here. I wish there had been more regional details. Also, there was some urban legends that I had heard from lots of places that I wasn't sure you could identify as Maryland stories.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have several other books by Sandy Schlosser and she does not disappoint. She is a fine storyteller and spins ghoulish yarns of the great state of Maryland. I especially appreciated the stories of the pirates, sailaors slaves and the events at Fort McHenry.

If you enjoy sea lore and history, you will enjoy this quick and fun read!

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book. I enjoyed the few of the historical aspects and Maryland tidbits included in some of the stories but overall I don't consider any of these stories very spooky with the exception of a few at the very end. Instead I found most of them cheesy. I'd really hoped for more realistic spooky tales - I know Maryland has some!

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one can be skipped. Besides chapter headings that mention a city or a county, these stories are written like they could be from anywhere and like typical fiction ghost stories - nothing really to connect them to a place or history.

[Jill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lame. Read it in its entirety today. V. disappointed.

[Jaime Webster · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not recommend this book - I thought it was horrible.

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast but well-written read.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

got really boring at times but I recognized a few

the last story includes a character with my name getting murdered though which is always fun 😂