13 Tennessee Ghosts and Jeffrey

Thirteen Ghosts #5

by Kathryn Tucker Windham

Accounts of ghostly and spiritual happenings that are part of Tennessee's history.

Genres: Fiction, Ghost Stories, Paranormal

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2015

About the author

Kathryn Tucker Windham was an American storyteller, author, photographer, and journalist.

Windham got her first writing job at the age of 12, reviewing movies for her cousin's small town newspaper, The Thomasville Times. She earned a B.A. degree from Huntingdon College in 1939. Soon after graduating she became a reporter for the Alabama Journal. Starting in 1944 she worked for The Birmingham News. In 1946 she married Amasa Benjamin Windham with whom she had three children. In 1956 she went to work at the Selma Times-Journal where she won several Associated Press awards for her writing and photography. A collection of her photographs is on display at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. She died on June 12, 2011. The 2004 documentary film, Kathryn: The Story of a Teller, directed by Norton Dill, chronicles Windham's life and varied careers.

Reviews

[Dennis Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a long time I have avoided this series of books because I just didn't understand the Jeffrey part of the titles. I still don't really understand Jeffrey but I can now see why this series is so popular.

Kathryn Windham is an excellent storyteller and I very much enjoyed most of the stories in this book. This book contains accounts from all over the Volunteer State so if you happen to be a native of Tennessee you will probably be familiar with at least a few of these ghosts. Being a long time fan of ghost books, many of the stories that the author relates in this book are indeed very familiar to me but considering the original date of publication this is probably one of the earliest books to relate these tales.

Many of the stories included contain chilling accounts of eerie experiences that the author collected from the people who actually experienced an encounter with the ghost in question. One of these witnesses is actually related to me in a distant sort of way and this eyewitness documentation is always a great plus for a book of this nature. On the other hand, the author couldn't resist including a few old legends that can't be documented and have very little to do with ghosts in the first place. She also couldn't seem to resist using one chapter that she had already published in another book which is an irritating form of double-dipping that causes the reader to pay for the same story twice.

Still, most of the stories were quite interesting and I very much enjoyed the author's storytelling skill. If the author had replaced a couple of the old legends with some stories of modern haunts this would have been a superb ghost book. Even with some disappointing stories this is a very good book and I may just have to be on the lookout for the other books in the Jeffrey series.

[Paige Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirteen Tennessee Ghosts and Jeffrey by Kathryn Tucker Windham appears to be a wonderfully atmospheric collection that blends Southern storytelling, regional folklore, and paranormal mystery into a deeply entertaining reading experience.

One of the book’s most compelling strengths is its connection to Tennessee’s cultural and historical landscape. Ghost stories often serve as reflections of local memory and tradition, and the collection appears to preserve the spirit, legends, and oral storytelling traditions of the American South in a vivid and engaging way.

The storytelling style also seems especially appealing. Kathryn Tucker Windham was widely admired for her warm narrative voice and ability to balance eerie subject matter with charm, wit, and humanity, giving the stories an inviting quality rather than relying solely on horror or shock.

Another especially compelling aspect is the inclusion of “Jeffrey,” the playful spirit figure associated with many of Windham’s ghost collections. His presence appears to add personality and continuity to the stories while reinforcing the whimsical side of Southern supernatural folklore.

The blend of mystery, history, and regional identity also gives the collection broad appeal beyond traditional paranormal fiction. Readers interested in folklore, storytelling traditions, and Southern culture are likely to find the work especially engaging.

For readers interested in ghost stories, Southern Gothic literature, folklore, and paranormal history, Thirteen Tennessee Ghosts and Jeffrey promises to offer a memorable, atmospheric, and highly entertaining reading experience.

[Shaleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed these books very much as a kid although as I reread them as an adult I’m not sure how. The stories are very scattered, there’s so much unnecessary information that it drags page to page, & the wit isn’t very witty. I don’t remember the attempts at wit when I was younger which means I probably didn’t understand then & it makes less sense now. I’m glad I read it again but that’s about it.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book and all the Jeffrey books are. Very high level with the stories but an excellent overview of local tales.

[Jeffrey Philips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories.

[Sherry (sethurner) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book after I heard Kathryn Tucker Windham tell ghost stories in Jonesborough, Tennessee. She is famous for telling stories about her family ghost, Jeffrey, but this collection of spooky stories isn't so much about Jeffrey as is is other chilling tales of Southern folklore. Teacher, parents and storytellers will enjoy her version of Martin and the snakes, as well as the famous Bell Witch. I liked the retelling of the end of Meriwether Lewis's life, and the mystery that surrounds it.

[Amber Arthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am trying to track down a copy of this book, but it is out of print.

Windham's typical writing style of humor meets charm is evident in this book.

This book includes a story of the famed "Bell Witch", a little girl who haunts a school in TN, and "Stains on the Masoleum", and more.

Would love to purchase this book, even an old library copy or badly worn out, used version.

I am collecting the series to pass along to my children someday...

[Lilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 words: The Bell Witch. Scared the dickens out of me when I was younger.