Big Book of Virginia Ghost Stories

by L.B. Taylor Jr.

“Packs big entertainment, from famous ghosts and weird hauntings to bizarre but riveting true stories that will give you quite a chill.” —Rosemary Ellen Guiley, author of The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits   Hauntings lurk and spirits linger in the Old Dominion State . . .    Reader, beware! Turn these pages and enter the world of the paranormal, where ghosts and ghouls alike creep just out of sight. Author L. B. Taylor shines a light in the dark corners of Virginia and scares those spirits out of hiding in this thrilling collection. From poltergeists that make trouble at Blue Ridge Pottery, to a phantom light on Holston Mountain, to specters haunting the battlefield of Cedar Creek, there’s no shortage of bone-chilling tales to keep you up at night. Around the campfire or tucked away on a dark and stormy night, this big book of ghost stories is a hauntingly good read.

Genres: Paranormal, Horror

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2010

About the author

Williamsburg resident L.B. Taylor, Jr., is credited with 50 non-fiction books, including 25 enormously popular collections of Virginia ghost stories.

He earned his journalism degree from Florida State University, served in the U.S. Army, and later covered spaceflight missions for NASA. As a freelance writer, he wrote more than 300 articles throughout his career and his retirement.

While his popular non-fiction books cover diverse subjects, from pirate treasure to electronic surveillance, his ghost story collections set him firmly in Virginia libraries, schools, and homes.

Reviews

[Sarah Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drawn to a shelf filled with history books, this one caught my eye. Giving me a sense that I ought to pick it up to read with a title that left me intrigued. Finding quiet moments I began to read it's pages captivated by the stories inside & unable to put it down. Some time would pass before I would make sure it came home with me.

Thus began my haunted read into all sorts of stories of Ghosts throughout the state of Virginia. Which as the author pointed out in the beginning, that Virginia may well me the most haunted state in America. Enough to make your eyes pop as you wonder just how haunted is it?

Each section of the book is part of Virginia starting with Northern Virginia and ending with the Tidewater. Those sections are filled with chills, thrills, some enduring tales and some that will raise more than the hairs on your back! As a ghost tour guide there are some tales that won't leave me and some that I found interesting yet not as chilling as some. One in the Shenandoah Valley taken from a 39 page account (condensed) was so wild and hair raising that it's gripe hasn't quite let go. Or the tale of Jake the Ripper in VA? Yes you read that right and by all accounts it was a disturbing tale!

The sense to pick this one up was beyond my control as I got lost in all the stories told. Enjoying them all as ideas began to form in my head on how to enhance my own. Even to go around telling tales like this on tours must be quite a thrill with chills right around the corner for your guests.

Captivated and drawn to the bitter end, I am so glad that I had the sense to pick this up and read. Those spirits wouldn't let me put it down or stop. Continue I did and if you are looking for some chills, thrills or something to read on a dark night, then by all means find this big book and creep yourself out to your hearts content.

[Tonya Correa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent

The author was really good. Really well written. Some of the stories was kind of boring,others was really great. I absolutely enjoyed this read.

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting ghost stories that took place in my home state of Virginia. Some are creepy while others are worthy of an eye roll. But I liked the historical and landmark components.

[Robi A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extraordinary Folk Stories of Haunts

I enjoyed this book mixed with history and ghosts and scary stories told down through the generations. Great editing and compilation!

[Dot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I like that they took an divided into regions

[Skip Unger · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK I'm a total sucker for all of LB Taylor's Ghosts in Virginia books and I own all 13 of the main series. Couldn't resist picking this one up last Halloween since, well since it's LB Taylor. This bigger compendium volume is a selection of ghost stories and related folklore from across the Commonwealth - some of which I recognize as having been previously published in his main series of books. Others may be new since this appeared to publish in 2010 after the main series ended. Anyway it's enjoyable as always and a great survey of the super rich lore of Virginia. Highly recommended for those interested in Virginia folklore or just a fan of great legacy ghost tales.

[Andrew Buttery · Rating 5 out of 5]

very well written series of hauntings and unexplained phenomena throughout Virginia; for anyone who enjoys a quick read and a good ghost story I would recommend

[KD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little book to read full of stories throughout Virginia. As someone who has always been interested in the paranormal and supernatural, I wanted to read up on some of the local lore to VA while I lived there.

There were some spelling errors I noted throughout the book, but overall it was not a problem.