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Spooky Appalachia: Tales of Hauntings, Strange Happenings, and Other Local Lore
Pull up a chair or gather 'round the campfire and get ready for creepy tales of ghostly hauntings, eerie happenings, and other strange occurrences from times past!
Appalachia folklore traditions are kept alive in these expert retellings by master storyteller S.E. Schlosser and through artist Paul G. Hoffman's evocative illustrations. You'll meet ghosts and witches, hear things that go bump in the night, and feel an icy wind on the back of your neck on a warm summer evening. The stories in this entertaining and compelling collection will have you looking over your shoulder again and again.
Appalachia folklore traditions are kept alive in these expert retellings by master storyteller S.E. Schlosser and through artist Paul G. Hoffman's evocative illustrations. You'll meet ghosts and witches, hear things that go bump in the night, and feel an icy wind on the back of your neck on a warm summer evening. The stories in this entertaining and compelling collection will have you looking over your shoulder again and again.
234 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 29, 2024
I’m from the mountains of Appalachia. Some of these were well written, abut most were just okay. They left me feeling… not much. I was hoping to be scared out of my pants based on the stories I’ve heard from the Mountains over the years. That said, im really glad that these have been recorded! They need to be preserved as they are.
October 3, 2025
This short story collection is a mixed bag. There are a lot of just okay stories, but also several that I really enjoyed. The book is divided into two parts: "Ghost Stories" and "Powers of Darkness and Light."
Most of the ghost stories felt weaker, lacking thematic relevance and regional distinctness. "Fifty Cents", "The Death Watch", and "The Bell Ringer" stand out as they employ strong visuals, sounds, and settings. The punishing revenge and the marriage of the natural and the supernatural make "Raw Head" read like a good fairy tale.
Most of my favorites are toward the end of the collection. "The Minstrel" and "Witch Dance" prominently feature song and dance, something very relevant to Appalachian culture. Like "The Death Watch", "The Murdered Miner" identifies the significance of mining to this region. It demonstrates dedication and corrupting greed. "Spear-Finger" mirrors "Raw Head" in its fairy tale ferocity, and "The Devil's Book" and "Jack-o'-Lantern" follow that tone with tales of Faustian bargains. These stories are what make Spooky Appalachia worth the read.
Although it's a short collection, I do think there was too much filler. Many of the stories felt too familiar to be appreciated, in motifs and otherwise. I already knew of "The Bell Witch" and "Mothman" and, unfortunately, these iterations don't particularly stand out. There was a decent version of "Bloody Mary" (in "Flaming Reflection") and of "Bigfoot" (or "Boojum").
Overall, I would've preferred an even smaller collection if it meant a more polished product. I am still glad I read the whole thing, though, because it packed the best stuff in the end.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
Most of the ghost stories felt weaker, lacking thematic relevance and regional distinctness. "Fifty Cents", "The Death Watch", and "The Bell Ringer" stand out as they employ strong visuals, sounds, and settings. The punishing revenge and the marriage of the natural and the supernatural make "Raw Head" read like a good fairy tale.
Most of my favorites are toward the end of the collection. "The Minstrel" and "Witch Dance" prominently feature song and dance, something very relevant to Appalachian culture. Like "The Death Watch", "The Murdered Miner" identifies the significance of mining to this region. It demonstrates dedication and corrupting greed. "Spear-Finger" mirrors "Raw Head" in its fairy tale ferocity, and "The Devil's Book" and "Jack-o'-Lantern" follow that tone with tales of Faustian bargains. These stories are what make Spooky Appalachia worth the read.
Although it's a short collection, I do think there was too much filler. Many of the stories felt too familiar to be appreciated, in motifs and otherwise. I already knew of "The Bell Witch" and "Mothman" and, unfortunately, these iterations don't particularly stand out. There was a decent version of "Bloody Mary" (in "Flaming Reflection") and of "Bigfoot" (or "Boojum").
Overall, I would've preferred an even smaller collection if it meant a more polished product. I am still glad I read the whole thing, though, because it packed the best stuff in the end.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
February 8, 2025
I was horrendously let down by this series of stories purportedly called 'spooky.' Even the tale of the Bell Witch, which I have always found to be quite eerie, fell completely flat and boring. Quite disappointing.
March 18, 2025
this was meh but i needed something to read before sunrise on the reaping
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews