Theater of the Mind: Tales from the Darkness: Ghosts, UFOs, Aliens, Monsters, & Other Strange Stories of the Supernatural

by Dave Schrader, Nikki Folsom (editor), Winifred Schrader (illustrator)

The realms of the ethereal and physical appear to be weaving themselves deeper into one another with the passing of every year. People from around the world are experiencing strange phenomena and encountering creatures of unknown origins in alarming numbers. It’s time we accepted the fact that what we consider normal and supernatural are set on a collision course and will finally reveal the proof that we are not alone, and never have been. That behind every closet door, and under every bed, in the dark of the forests and the light of day, in every town and every state of every country around the world, darkness is rising, and worlds will merge. These are just some of the stories pointing to that inevitability.

Genres: Paranormal

Paperback

Published January 6, 2024

About the author

Dave Schrader hosts KTLK FM’s Darkness Radio. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Syn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you on a strange trip. The stories within its pages are weird, wonderous, and some are utterly terrifying. It will captivate you with its unnerving tales of ghosts, UFOs, monsters, creepy dolls, and aliens.

I recommend not reading this book alone at night due to the fact that these stories may be true and that may leave you feeling a bit unsettled. This is one of those books that makes you want to leave the lights on and shut your mind off at night because it will go to dark places. But that is also the beauty of it as well. I loved this book, there is not a dull moment, every single story is fascinating and weird as heck!

[Michelle Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great paranormal book with about 15 stories of ghosts, aliens, monsters and other supernatural events. It is a great read for anyone who likes paranormal books, or who has had a paranormal or 'odd' unexplained experience.

It is well-written, by a really dynamic paranormal investigator and amazing speaker! Of course, you may know him if you are a paranormal "junkie' like me, from "The Holzer Files" a hit TV series. (Aside, Probably in the later 1990's or 2000, I met and spoke with Hans Holzer, a renowned paranormal investigator. I asked him about the effects of ESP in rainstorms.) Anyway, just like Holzer, Dave Schrader really investigates the phenomena and accurately describes what occurred and does not jump to conclusions. Those are up to you. Dave will tell you what he suspects.

Schrader has a LOT of familial connections with the paranormal, and related how it all came about when I heard him speak at the "2nd Annual Bucks County ParaCon," a paranormal conference, in March 2025, at the Zlock Performing Arts Center, Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA. Which is where I heard Dave speak, purchased this book and got it autographed. So this topic is his passion and it shows in his stories.

I love the way Dave interspersed great meaningful quotations from various celebs and writers, between the stories in the book too. Thus this book is a series of 'short stories' of paranormal events that Dave investigated.

I think I have two favorites. First is "The Impossible Phone Call" about his Aunt Eve and the phone call to Mom and Aunt Eve's subsequent stroke. Aunt Eve told Mom that JFK was shot a DAY BEFORE it happened. Eve was in the Parkland Hospital, in a coma from the stroke, when JFK was brought there. It was 24 hours since the call, and the family was in that hospital room-- that had no phone! Within 30 minutes of JFK arriving at the hospital, Aunt Eve passed on. INCREDIBLE story. And I can relate to it as I have my own story about precognition and 9/11. The other story I really liked was a VERY scary one about the doll, "Who Wants to Play With Emily?" OMG, this one kept me up, and Dave tells it well. The story is fascinating and has twists and turns.

This book is well-written and FULL of great paranormal stories. I recommend it and it is a great read if you do not have a lot of time. You can read one story at a time, in under 30 minutes or less, and enjoy it over two weeks. I am sure you will find a story or two that resonates with your own fascination with the paranormal, like I did.

[Winifred Schrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to be captivated by a mesmerizing collection of the paranormal in "Theater of the Mind: Tales from the Darkness." Dave Schrader has masterfully woven a tapestry of eerie and thought-provoking stories that listeners have sent to Dave that traverse the realms of ghosts, UFOs, aliens, monsters, and other enigmatic facets of the supernatural.

Moreover, "Theater of the Mind" goes beyond mere scares, delving into the human psyche and exploring the profound impact of the supernatural on the listeners involved. Dave successfully infuses depth into each story, making them not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

In addition to the exceptional storytelling, the book's cover, illustrations (of which I really enjoyed doing) and overall design contribute to its allure. The haunting imagery and meticulous attention to detail enhance the reading experience, making it a true feast for the senses.

For enthusiasts of the supernatural, "Theater of the Mind: Tales from the Darkness" is a must-read.

[The Haunted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Im a huge dan of Dave Schrader. He is a gifted storyteller, public speaker, and investigator. This book has a great variety of different types of paranormal stories: there’s something for everyone. It’s an easy read for sure, but there’s enough spookiness to get under your skin and give you a good scare. I hope we get Theater of Mind volume 2 soon! I highly recommend this book for anyone who’s a fan of the mysterious and unexplained.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure exactly what this book was going to be, and it turned out to be a collection of tales either from the author's life, or from the lives of other people who have passed them along. Some aren't super clear which they are.

But they are all good stories. They are well put together, and have a good mix of ghosts, creatures, UFOs, etc. Some were quite creepy, like Beware the Bloody Bones Man. Quite fun.

[Ashley McCloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Dave a few times now and have gotten to do a paranormal investigation with him in the past. I picked up this copy of his book at a convention he was at earlier this year. It was a compilation of short stories from others of paranormal experiences they have had as well as a few of his own. It was an enjoyable read. I just would had liked to read about more of Dave’s own experiences in this but still very enjoyable.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn Good Storytelling!

Really enjoyed the true paranormal situations told in a kind of "storytelling" tone. It made this book stand out (in a fantastic way!) within the true paranormal genre. Don't miss these stories! I actually started & finished this book in one afternoon because I couldn't put it down.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of stories that make you think. It's a solid read and took me about an hour to an hour and a half to read. Not to say it's short or anything like that, but once I started I simply didn't put it down. I also appreciated the look of the book; from formatting to font size.

I'll definitely recommend to any lover of the abnormal, paranormal and supernatural.

[Donna Dawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Dave’s podcast and this book is an easy read. Some of these stories are quite spooky. Paranormal buffs will enjoy this one.

[Unreliable Narration · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creeptastic short stories with horrifying illustrations that bring the stories to a completely different level.

[Kirk McWilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave is a great storyteller in print, on the airwaves, and in audiobook format. Several of these stories are truly chilling! Good on ya Dave, keep em coming!!!!

[Amanda Orman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave is the best at telling stories. I love listening to his podcast. I love this book and can’t wait for more.

[Frances Z Shurina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stories

Being a fan of Dave’s I could hear him telling each story. He is an excellent storyteller. Enjoy fellow darklings

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this! This book is an awesome collection of spooky stories!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Wonderful book of short stories! Best book ever written by a guy named Dave Schrader. Seriously, you can never go wrong with Dave!

[Janet Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was an excellent book. Easy to read. The stories were unique never heard them before.

[Faith Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved all the different stories.

[Sherri Bettmeng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short paranormal stories that are weird, creepy and entertaining.
Loved the book.

[LaNeida · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book, and I couldn't help but read the tales in Dave's voice.

[Shana Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turner!

I highly recommend this book. It was terrifying, intriguing, and really makes you think about the world we live in. I hope everyone enjoys the book as much as I did!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, quick read!

[Kirsty Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint is that it’s far too short but Dave has more stories up his sleeve so you can look forward to future additions. A quick and easy read chock full of interesting and bizarre stories. This book is hard to put down and you don’t know what you’re going to encounter with each turn of the page.

[Paige Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very impressive compilation of strange stories of unexplained phenomenon. It was written well and easy to follow and the story-telling was executed perfectly making it a captivating read throughout. I related to one of the stories very much and it gave me chills with all the similarities to my own experience.

Highly recommend checking this one out if you’re a fan of the paranormal!