Connecticut Cryptids: A Field Guide to the Weird and Wonderful Creatures of the Nutmeg State

by Patrick Scalisi, Valerie Ruby-Omen (Illustrator)

Dear Curious Reader, Maybe you've heard of the Black Dog of the Hanging Hills or the Winsted Wildman. But did you know that these are just a few of the mythical creatures that call Connecticut home? It's true! The Nutmeg State is full of "cryptids" - or creatures that are believed to exist but never proven to exist. And all of these mysterious beings are documented right here, in this exhaustively researched and fully illustrated field guide. Whether you're a newcomer to the field of cryptozoology or a veteran Sasquatch seeker, this is the only book you'll need to undertake your own search for CONNECTICUT CRYPTIDS!

Genres: History

296 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2023

About the author

Patrick Scalisi is a writer and storyteller from Connecticut. He has published fiction in several magazines and anthologies, and served as the editor of The Ghost Is the Machine, a bestselling anthology of steampunk-horror stories from the now-defunct Post Mortem Press. His debut book, The Horse Thieves and Other Tales of the New West, was released in 2014. His debut novel, The Key to the Universe, was published by Owl Hollow Press in 2019.

In addition to his fiction work, Pat co-created the local history book Connecticut Cryptids: A Field Guide to the Weird & Wonderful Creatures of the Nutmeg State with artist Valerie Ruby-Omen. Developed over three years, Connecticut Cryptids collects creature folklore from throughout the state and examines both the history of these stories and the impact that some of them continue having today. Available now wherever books are sold.

In his spare time, Pat often sheds his guise of a responsible adult to play video games, build Lego models, and generally be a nerd. He lives in Connecticut with his partner, Crystal, and their cadre of cats.

ABOUT GOODREADS

My reviews tend to be honest, since I believe that sugarcoating things for any writer does a disservice to their craft. I grade books on Goodreads' recommended scale, meaning that 3 stars ("liked it") is a positive review.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fair warning: I've known the author since high school, and I read an early draft of the manuscript and provided feedback.

This was a fun little trip into the world of Connecticut folklore. The author has dug up tales from all over the state which run the gamut from old, familiar chestnuts (e.g., sasquatch-type figures in the woods) to figures from Native American legends, to creatures that were concocted as part of marketing campaigns or attempts to engage people in civic government. The chapters are short and lend themselves to binge reading, but this would also be a fun book to leave on your coffee table for guests to flip through. The writing style is light and breezy, written as though the author is actually conducting field research on the mermen, monster dogs, and goblins that inhabit the Nutmeg State. His illustrator has a fun, cartoony style that works really well with the subject matter. It's also a well-made book: the cover has a great tactile quality that makes this feel like something you'll want to own and hang onto.

Lastly, I think it's great that someone is finally blowing the lid off of decades of CT DEEP malfeasance. The powers that be (I'm looking at you, Jeffrey) don't want the truth to come to light. Thankfully Pat Scalisi and Valerie Ruby-Omen won't be stopped.

[Alyssa Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a well-researched and entertaining book about Connecticut history!! I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful history of Connecticut cryptids! Personally, I'm always looking for some excitement from this state, and we at least have these creatures keeping us whimsical. I'm a big fan of all sorts of weird, spooky stories - if you are too, you'll love this book. Great writing, great art. 5/5, would haunt again.

[Jifu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that I already knew about my home state's various resident cryptids, but this book proved me happily wrong, and I was able to learn about so many odd creatures and beasts of lore and legend the likes of which I had never heard before - and also learn a little more about the various oddities I was already somewhat familiar with. And guide is not only informative, but written with hefty loads of love and respect for its subject material.

From top to bottom and beginning to end, this is such a fun and fascinating gem of a read - I already know that I'll be coming back to this handy guide in the near-future and rereading it over and over and over again.

[Georgie Melrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a great time reading this

[Nic Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

i bought this book straight from the author and illustrator and they were lovely. as a cryptid loving military family, we love to collect odd books from the places we’ve been/lived. i appreciate the research that went into this book. the illustrations are incredible as well. the only reason i gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because i felt like the text was too close to the center fold of the book? maybe that’s a me issue.

[Chaelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me exactly what I was looking for in a local cryptid field guide; a concise collection, where folklore meets fact. Both author and illustrator approach each cryptid with respect, awe and imagination that ignites my interest in traveling to each location hoping to catch a glimpse too. Clearly well-researched with cited sources and extensive field study, this book both entertained and educated this seasoned Connecticut Camp Counselor/Campfire Storyteller.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was initially skeptical of the authors credentials, but this is a wonderful book! I think this is essential reading for anyone who wants to delve deeper into the weirdness of Connecticut.

Also bigfoot is real and I feel like the monster truck of the same name really besmirches his legacy.

[Chris Ramirez · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are interested in actual cryptids and Cryptozoology, don't buy or read this book. Get books by the greats of Cryptozoology, Loren Colman, Ivan Sanderson, Bernard Heuvelmanns, Nick Redfern and Linda Godfrey.

This book is at best a collection of urban legends, folklore and local/commercial history. All of it done with the "wink wink nudge nudge" idiocy that went out in the 1970's . The U.S. government came out and said UFOs are real showing that there is so much more to our reality. Yet these "authors" think it is funny to show a sasquatch in overalls because one deluded person said that, totally discounting the numerous actual sasquatch sightings in Winstead and the Naugatuck State Forest that have been going on for decades.

Let's also discuss the "authors" fake credentials from non-existent universities. Also the fake field notes that besmirch the legitimate field investigations of the cryptozoologists I mentioned previously.

In closing stay far away from this dreck.

[Virginia Ramirez · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, this is not a book about cryptids. If that is what you want to read about, this is not the book for you. This is a book about Urban Legends, Tall Tales and Folk Lore of Connecticut. If you start reading this book by understanding that, it is a clever, entertaining book. The first red flag that I was not going to be reading about actual cryptids was in the introduction. I am unclear what the author was trying to achieve by this but in the introduction the author stated that he and and illustrator received “certificates” from fake institutes of higher learning. This caused me to pause to wonder if this was a parody instead of the non-fiction work it was presented as. This does read like one of the “Weird (fill in the blank with a state)” books that were popular a few years back but those books separated folklore and local legend chapters from actual cryptid chapters. The artist has talent and maybe a children’s book featuring animals might be a direction she may want to explore. If you want know about cryptids read books by Loren Coleman and Linda Godfrey. This book is well researched, the sources are well documented, maybe the topic of cryptids in general should have been researched, possibly by reading the afore mentioned authors. Overall it is a entertaining Folklore book

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! I heard the author on NPR and the topic caught my interest, especially about the local legends surrounding the cryptids. I ordered a copy on Amazon that day.
The book came, and I read one of the chapters each day at lunch.
I had the opportunity to meet the author at our local library yesterday and the presentation did not disappoint! He was gracious and answered every question. He presented his material with enthusiasm, not dry at all, very good at explaining how he came to write the book at the start of the 2020 pandemic.
Highly recommend!

[Rachel Hyphen Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The authors and illustrators are so talented and I hope they have a follow-up. As a CT transplant it was great to learn about the history of the state through local tales of cryptids

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed promising but nothing we haven’t seen or heard about before. Thought it might some other unmentioned tidbits.