A Haunted Road Atlas: Next Stop: More Chilling and Gruesome Tales From And That's Why We Drink

by Christine Schiefer, Em Schulz

Grab your beverage of choice, we’re going back on the road! Bringing you A Haunted Road Next Stop, from the New York Times Bestselling authors of true crime/supernatural podcast And That’s Why We Drink!

From the truest crimes to the spookiest supernaturals, this guide will have even more illustrated stories, beverage pit stops, and ice cream recommendations. A Haunted Road Next Stop will explore all the places Christine and Em didn’t get to include in the first book, focusing on 30 new cities they’ve fallen in love with on their travels … and the scariest places that left them shaking in their boots.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Paranormal, Audiobook, Travel, History, Ghosts

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as fun as the first one!

[Isabelle Fobbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Em and Christine Don’t Miss: Part Two

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the bonus road trip games!

[Katy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow hilarious and horrifying at the same time and also makes me want to travel and not leave my home at the same time. Truly revolutionary

[Atbash (Emma) · Rating 1 out of 5]

…This one’s kind of on me, because I picked this up without being a listener of the podcast– I was pleased with the idea of a podcast-book, vaguely optimistic about finding a new podcast to listen to, and charmed by the cover. (And it’s a lovely cover!)

I have to assume the humor reads better in an audio format, but… it’s really bad. It’s the cringiest, most awkward millennial humor you can think of, slotted between paragraphs to break up the repetitive true crime and alleged hauntings. Stuff like “it’s giving sweeney todd,” stuff like “omg I screamed for (kidnapping victim) like guys scream at their tv during a football game lol,” and the DUMBEST joke about cadaver sniffing dogs in the middle of a story about a dead baby. I’m not going to hand-wring about the genre and respectability and all of that, but like, if you’re gonna joke about it, at least make sure you’re funny? Make it worth it?

And they try to be responsible about it, but they do it like “eww, I’m so sorry we have to try and make jokes about this one guys, it's really bad” ??????? THEN WHY??? ARE YOU DOING IT??? (and the other ones /weren't/ bad...?) I don’t understand the discomfort– is it performative? They are choosing to do this. They are being paid to do this. We're all here choosing to read this. What's the problem. (They also said something stupid about “girl math” and called an accomplice in one of their stories a “pick me”, which felt oddly misogynistic for the feminist tone the book was going for.) Idk, it rubbed me the wrong way.

The true crime sections, despite that dissonance, were really all I found myself reading. The “paranormal” sections weren’t worth it– the true crime was repetitive, but all of the paranormal sections were just like. Okay, here’s a place where awful acts of societal and individual violence occurred in the past (or. a theater). Could be haunted. It brings in tourism money now. Here’s another QR code for our podcast ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

They have this weird puking triangle illustration that shows up sometimes, and I hate it. They end each state with like, some bullshit “here’s a list of ice cream shops in that state that’re allegedly haunted AND woman owned! <3,” which I also hate. The FMK section at the end of the book was fun, though. What I’m REALLY curious about is this seemingly established joke about one of the authors owning a (possibly mummified?) lemon that the other author hates. I assumed it was some kind of pet or something, but one of the illustrations seems to suggest an actual lemon. Color me delighted.

To an outsider to both the genre and the podcast, it doesn’t hold up. It seems like fans have a different experience, but honestly, I have to wonder how much heavy lifting the inside jokes could possibly do. (and i promise I’m not just mad my home state didn’t get a chapter. :P)

(I AM JUST REALIZING THAT THE BACK PROMISED MUSIC PLAYLISTS. THERe WERE NO PLAYLISTS. WTH)

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Haunted Road Atlas: Next Stop is the second book from Christine Schiefer and Em Schultz who are the hosts of the And That's Why We Drink podcast. This book is more true crime and paranormal stories from around the United States coupled with funny quips from the authors.
I really love Christine and Em's podcast and the first book so picking this one up was a no brainer. It took me so long to read just because I didn't pick it up every day but it was still an enjoyable and quick read for me. I really love that Christine and Em not only tell these stories but also have their own jokes that they put in the chapters to try to lighten the mood as some of these stories can get quite depressing to read.
I also really love that this book includes illustrations throughout that add to the story as well. Some of them are hilarious and some of them pertain to the story but it really adds to the atmosphere. I would definitely say this is a book, if you get a digital version, that you'd want to read on a colored e-reader or phone or tablet. You can also get the physical version which has the colored illustratoins as well. The illustrations are colored and really does add to the story.
I would highly recommend picking up this book especially if you are going on a road trip or just interested in stories from around the United States. I thought it was a fun and quick read with lots of intersting facts about places I didn't know about.

[Malory Smithson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book despite the need of the authors to be overwhelmingly quirky. The quirkiness is mostly endearing, and it does continue in this book. To me, the second book just didn’t have the spirit of the first one. Maybe because it did not seem like the authors had actually visited any of these places like they had a lot of the first book. In the first book, the paranormal bits were my favorite, but they seemed mostly kind of boring in this book. The true crime parts seemed different this time too, but I can’t put my finger on why for that part. Altogether, this book felt more like a homework assignment for the authors than like they actually enjoyed writing it like they seemed to with the first book.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Haunted Road Atlas and A Haunted Road Atlas: Next Stop by @xtineschiefer and @theemschulz of @atwwdpodcast are some of the best books for learning about all things spooky and true crime related. With links to episodes of their podcast when related the books give a great detail to a famous Haunted or crime in different cities around the United States, as well as fun facts and other cool or weird places to visit mentioned at the end of each city, it is perfect for planning a Haunted Road trip. While your at it also give their podcast a listen. #@atwwdpodcast #hauntedroadatlas #booklover #booksofinstagram

[Bailee Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of the ATWWD podcast and loved their first book as a kind of bite-sized version of the show. The second volume took us to new locations and included more of Em and Christine's banter (by far the BEST part of their podcast). It also felt like this volume leaned more into the "Other Weird or WTF Places to Check Out" for each location, in case you wanted to explore other fun locations in the area. I can't wait to eventually go on a road trip and add some of Em and Christine's suggestions to my itinerary.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was hit with a nostalgia wave for the podcast I used to listen religiously to in undergrad, and happened to run into this book on the shelves of our local library! I think I like the podcast formatting better-- it helps the stories not be as bummer, but therein lies my issues with true crime media to begin with. I really love the ghost stories, and ended up skipping a couple of the TC entries because I can only take so much depraved humanity. Still! Was a not-so-cozy but definitely fitting way to spend a cold, rainy day.

[Cara Wittich · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of the podcast and a dedicated listener, I was really excited when A Haunted Road Atlas 2: Next Stop came out. I’m glad they decided to follow up with a second book, and I really appreciate that it sticks to the same format as the first—it feels familiar and easy to jump into. It’s like a very extended podcast episode in book form, which I love. The stories aren’t too scary or overloaded with details, which actually makes it perfect for a wider audience. Overall, it’s a fun, spooky, and lighthearted read that captures the vibe of the podcast without going overboard.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

They did it again! Making true crime and paranormal stories palatable are what Em and Christine do best! The games at the end of the book are such a fun bonus. I would love to visit a lot of these places, but I can tell you that the haunted place in Savannah where the child ghost bites your ankles - fucking NOPE. 😂

[Ash Mustard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing haunted road atlas book!

Thank you Em and Christine for the haunts and thrills of this book! Some of the stories in this book I have heard because of their amazing podcast and some I'm like omg what in the world!

[Charlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book love having Em and Christine’s personalities showcased throughout.

*Spoiler-Sorta*

My only complaint is that in the Tampa, FL chapter (as someone from Tampa Florida). Christine writes about a case that occurred in Miami, FL.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't like this one as much as the first one, it was still a great read. Another one of the few books I read during spooky season that I really liked. Definitely read both of the books by this duo.

[Micaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

a 5/5 as usual from Em and Christine!

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this continuation of the Haunted Road Atlas! It was just as fun as the first one and I'm very happy to have gotten it as a birthday present.

[Jodi Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good information!

[Sarah Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listen to the podcast so of course I loved the book. Even better than the first and the illustrations bring me the most joy.

[Melissa Corney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a fan of their podcast and LOVED their first book. This second one is just as amazing! Perfect for fans of the paranormal, true crime, and short stories that can stand alone in each chapter.

[JANA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Em and Christine. I'm a huge fan of the podcast and their books. Hoping for an overseas version one day.

[Kendra Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Live, love, lemon

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting travel book....one true crime story and one haunted location for each state.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

em and christine if you see this, may I suggest “a haunted road atlas: eurotrip” to complete the trilogy

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as fun to read as the first book! In the first book, I enjoyed the paranormal more. In this one, I enjoyed the true crime more. Both were still great! The reading could be a little more smooth. The little quips are cute and could be funny, but did make it difficult for a fast read.

[Christie Connelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 lemons

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read!

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite audiobook genres is ones written and narrated by my fave podcasters. It feels like a long episode with my besties❤️

[Alicia Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

I loved the way the book flowed. Informative and I like the true crime and paranormal mix. Very good, highly recommend!