More Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills

by Minakshi Chaudhry

Key Features Spine-chilling tales, with a varied cast of ghosts, apparitions and phantoms. Stories from the colonial era will both entertain and enthral readers. The author is very well-known in the Himachal as a prolific and an entertaining writer. About the Book: More Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills A collection of sixteen stories about the supernatural, originating from Shimla folklore and the days of the Raj. The haunted foothills of Himalayas present the perfect setting for the dark and sinister world of phantoms and apparitions. Many spirits wander about these hills-the English nurse, the theatre manager, the English lord and his sister, even a family of local ghosts Many of these are real encounters narrated by the inhabitants. With thrilling twists and turns, each story recreates the horror of the victims and the fear of the unknown. Get ready to be spooked! About the Author: Minakshi Chaudhry Minakshi Chaudhry, an author and former journalist, lives in Shimla with her husband. She is a keen observer of people, cultures, lifestyles, and loves trekking and travelling. Minakshi has authored several books-Sunshine: My Encounter with Cancer, Love Stories of Shimla Hills, Whispering Deodars: Writings from Shimla Hills, Destination Himachal: 132 Offbeat and 12 Popular Getaways, Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills, 65 Treks and Over 100 Destinations: A Guide to Trekking in Himachal, and Exploring Pangi Himalaya: A World Beyond Civilization. She is currently working on her next book and can be contacted at minakshi_kanwar@yahoo.com

Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Short Stories

147 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[An Awkward Human · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a collection of folklore from Shimla. Some of them are narrated by people who first experienced it, some are told by other people.

It's sincerely mature for adults, but also has political innuendos and motifs for children.

I don't understand what the target audience is. Nevertheless, this would only be good at nerd gathering/campfire.

[Anish Kumar · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories are well narrated but there's nothing spooky about it. You don't really get scared reading these tales. I'm yet to read the first part I hope that would be better.

[Amrendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shimla, apart from its beauty is also known for its eerie surroundings and the misty forlorn paths beneath the Deodars and the Pines. It is from this atmosphere that tales of the supernatural arise and float amongst us. This book contains 16 such anecdotes that tell about the mysterious happenings in and around the city.

Old haunted buildings (Gaeity, IIAS, HIPA), hospitals (IGMC), schools, infamous road bends with sightings of spirits, helpful spirits, sacred groves... is what this book is made of. The anecdotes are rather plain and there is little horror or surprise in the same. These are recounted by real people and carries their firsthand experiences. Considering there are few such books set in Shimla, this one is a welcome addition.

[Sanober Razzaque · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gotta-escape-the-reality kinda read. It was alot flimsy but it is fiction so I cannot expect more. Although it did add to my Shimla hills imagination and wanderlust to visit all the places described here!

[Swati Daftuar · Rating 1 out of 5]

A complete review of this book is up on my website, The Booklegger =)
Full Review Here

To begin with, the title of this book bugs me a bit. I'd have preferred ghost stories from Shimla. The whole thing becomes slightly clunkier with that of. That cover illustration by Prabha Mallya though is rather nice, quite attractive really.

Unfortunately, it's also a bit wasted on this book. And look at the potential! Hills are probably the easiest setting for ghost stories. You have to do the least minimum and it'd still work out. Stick a well written half-decent spectre outside a dark, foggy, chilly house and there you are, you've got your good enough.

But somehow, this book couldn't manage that. Instead, it's strangely half-hearted. I got fleeting impressions of deadlines and last minute edits the entire while, and those freak me out too. So if that's the kind of scary stuff you are looking for...

[Samriddhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. A collection of short horror stories by Minakshi Chaudhary.
2. The scenic beauty of the Himalayas is shown in a different light. The beautiful weather, hills and valleys are shown in spooky light by the author.
3. The stories are written in a very simple language making it a quick read.
4. The stories are not frightening but are entertaining.
5. The collection of 16 stories mostly revolve around the colonial era and talks about the theatre halls, the mall road, old houses, monuments constructed under the British raj which are now the abode for the spirits.
6. Overall, reading about Shimla, the local people, the local ghosts in a simple narrative tone is entertaining.
7. All the stories are based on local folklore.

[Arindam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start with the caveat that these are not exactly ghost stories in literal sense. Rather, these are folklores and anecdotes shared by locals of Shimla (and around). So all those looking for scary horror stories which desist one from taking a trip to the toilet at night, are likely to be disappointed. However, these are perfect for fireside tales or for drinking sessions; stories that one narrate as something they heard from the caretaker of the homestay on their earlier trip to Himachal.
It is a light hearted and easy read which one can dip into while sitting by the river looking at the valley on a trip to the mountains (considering one is bound to loose focus and gaze at the beauty around).

[Shreela Sen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
Disappointed. These are not "stories", these are anecdotes.
Stories have storylines.
It is great to collect anecdotes. But then, it could have been presented as travelogue perhaps?
In its present form, the book is really underprocessed.
The cultural biases also get betrayed.
This is meant for entertainment, not sociological study purpose, so why not smoothen out the class-based, religion/community-based (disparity-revealing/ prejudiced) references?
Could have been so brilliant ... If only the author was also a story-writer ... Also, another example of a badly edited book.
Note to self : not for kids (my 9 year old is an enthusiastic "horror" reader)

[Palak · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a gift from one of my friends in Shimla. The book is just a collection of ghost stories that the author has heard from people she has met on her excursions to find the haunted tales of the region. It is written in a style which feels like friends narrating ghost stories to frighten one and other. But the book hardly scares you. It may amuse you, but will not scare you for sure. I will not recommend this book if you want to be scared.

[Rishabh Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intresting book about ghost. Description about best places of shimla. After reading the book O managed myself to go and visit each n every places which i read in the book. There are more weird than horror stories. Ghost are unacceptable according to writer. Some are comedian some are romantic less are horror. Easy English. Nice selection of words. These stories will make you to read next previous book. Must read if you want to chill take some rest from thriller and romance.

[Pragya Bhatt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping for something really scary. I usually read something by Ruskin Bond when I'm in this mood but I've read all his books. This book had great stories but was very badly written, sometimes it felt like I was reading the first draft. I think I even found a vocab mistake in one of the stories. I just can't m to find a deliciously scary riveting horror novel! My search continues...

[Priya Arun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second part of Ghost stories of shimla hills.
This book contains collected short stories related to haunted houses, spirits, ghosts, bhoots and many more paranormal incidents that took place in and around shimla.
It's a nice time pass read, I do believe in ghosts but yet hearing real stories seems little creepy inside.

[Dhruti · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not scary but of it's true so I want to go to Shimla again....
It's like folk tales out of all 1 or 2 are slightly scary but some of them are funny and logistics too.
I enjoyed reading this but not scared...

[Priyanka Kathe · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can finish this book in a couple of hours. The stories are scary but entertaining and interesting. However, compared to Tales from the Raj by Ruskin Bond, these are much simpler and less impactful. If you're looking for something more engaging, you can probably skip this one.

[Ritu Shrishail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just a Ghost Stories. It tell you a lot about Shimla, old Shimla and it's history. Not much of a scary but it surely make you want to go back in time and visit not just the British Era Shimla but even the lanes & monuments of Shimla.

[नितिन हरजेट · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok

[Romita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the first part but this second part is not at all scary.

[Sandipan Das · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not meet my expectations. Not a very good read.

[MountainKid ED · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's somewhat good. I appreciate the efforts of the author who put words together for some good stories.

[Sajith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amateurish

[《Aahana》 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lowkey got scared
It had such an eerily vibe

[Mudit Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hearsay stories of supernatural encounters with ghosts of Shimla as told by the people of the city

[Aastha Goel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book that I read this year was More Ghost Stories Of Shimla Hills by Minakshi Chaudhry.

More Ghost Stories Of Shimla Hills is a collection of 16 supernatural stories, that are interesting as well as spooky
The stories are based on the tales narrated by the local people who believe in ghosts.

All the stories seemed so real , that I myself started believing in ghosts👻☠💀🤭🤫. I will highly recommend this book for all the book lovers out there.

[Sheetal Maurya - Godse (Halo of Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

To read more book review visit http://haloofbooks.blogspot.in/

Introduction:

It was a month ago I've reviewed book Ghost stories of Shimla Hills . This book is the sequel containing more ghost stories scattered in Shimla region. However the previous book doesn't complete my expectation of horror but when I see the sequel book on Shimla ghost stories I cannot resist myself to picking this one (my love for ghost stories :P) Let's see the summary of this book.

Summary:

During the research of her book writer Minakshi has met various people who shared their experience with the ghost. After the release of the first book, she met people who wanted to tell their ghost stories. So writer finally compiled all those ghost stories in the second volume.

This book runs 145 pages which comprised 16 tales of ghost in Shimla. In this book, I've found that writer has mostly dug the ghost stories of tourist places. 'Sister Shanti and the English Nurse' it is the story of a dedicated nurse who loved her job even after her death and came into existence when any nurse neglects their duty.

'The Muslim Ghost' is a ghost who came to India after partition to safeguard the treasure. Who loves to play the prank with villagers. 'The Naklachi Bhoot who died' is the story where a spirit who copy every move of the victim.

There are many such stories which are associated with the Shimla and run for years. Most of the spirits here roam from the age of British.

The most interesting part of this book is it will help to get introduced to the culture of Shimla and its atmosphere.

Writing style:

The writing is pretty easy to understand and you will able to finish this book in just one day.

My Perception:

These are simple ghost stories which will not haunt you. In my perception, the first book was quite amazing. I've not found a single story in this book which gave me a spine-chilling horror however I've not expected that. But if you are travelling to Shimla, sitting under the deodar tree, surrounded by a misty atmosphere then read this book, this will really haunt you!!

[Dhiraj Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess ghosts and evil spirits have less preference to the hustle and bustle of a city life and thus prefer to reside in the mountains. The fact is that you hardly find a ghost story set in a city contrary to several ones you can find in hilly regions wherein almost each and every household has a ghost story to tell. I myself could have told a tale or two to Ms Chaudhry.

I belong to the hills and have heard numerous such tales from my parents and grandparents who also claim to have seen ghosts and evil spirits.

The book also mentions several local words such as boti (cook for marriage functions), specific to the region which only a Himachali can understand.

The author has collected an interesting anthology of tales in and around Shimla. Unlike kids these tales may not be scary enough for adults. I for most of the part was smiling thru many a chilling tale. The stories run into a few pages and are recollections of the people who claim to have seen the ghosts or felt the presence of one.

Don’t look for character development or plot twists here. Stephen King fans can avoid this book. Kids can rush to their grandmas and ask them to narrate one. I am sure the one she tells will be surely covered somewhere in this compendium.

[Kalika · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up from a bookshop in Shimla. I grew up hearing quite a few ghost stories from Shimla and around, so was quite excited. But.... none of the stories are written in a way to scare. They sound more like a record of the stories and places and communities and in that they are interesting, I guess. But merely using the word "spine-chilling" doesn't make a ghost story spine-chilling. I want to bite my nails when I read one, I want to feel the hair on my arms stand up as I read, I want to jump out of my skin at the slightest sound while reading. None of this happened. Tame telling rather than tame tales. In fact, the tales sound authentic enough.

[Swarit · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was really good . It was a good sequel to the previous book "Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills" Some stories of the books really spooked me due to which i had a couple of sleep less nights. I have read every story of this book at night before sleeping . This book is meant to be read at night rather in day time so that there is a spooky feeling .

Minakshi Mam have really worked hard on these stories. I have spent a decade of my life in Shimla but never heard the ghostly tales of Shimla. I am very hopeful that there will be yet another edition of "Ghost Stories OF Shimla Hills"

[Vishal]

ok

[Nikhil]

It was a great experience reading this book. It had various interesting stories that i was extremely fascinated with it as it as some really scaring and interesting stories about ghosts.

[Vasu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book compiles stories of the supernatural and the possessed. I don't really recommend this book for children who have age less than 09. It contains spooky events and is really good.