Fuquay-Varina Ghosts, Legends & Lore

by Liz Z Pardue, Kelly Prestipino

129 pages, Paperback

Published July 23, 2024

Reviews

[Aidan Prewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book with the perfect blend of ghosts and true historical crime, this is the book for you. It’s packed full of spooky tales from the most haunted small town in the American South. What’s most impressive about this fantastic read is that it is presented in beautifully-written prose, delivered with flair, thoughtfulness and deep insight. It’s a wonderful glimpse into small-town America, into our human fears and our spiritual wonderings, and into the darkness and the light of the human condition.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short but fascinating collection of eerie local ghost stories, true crime tales, and urban legends. It's a perfect quick read for anyone who loves local lore and a good chill.

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuquay-Varina Ghosts, Legends & Lore Volume 1 by Liz Pardue & Kelly Prestipino captures the haunted heart of my own backyard, making it an especially chilling read. Living just four miles from the historic mineral springs, I couldn’t resist the allure of these eerie tales that breathe life (or perhaps death) into our quaint town’s hidden past.
The authors weave together stories that are as intriguing as they are unsettling, uncovering layers of local folklore and supernatural encounters. Their writing pulls you into the dark corners and forgotten places, where whispers of the past still echo. The collection brings to light chilling accounts of haunted houses, restless spirits, and shapeshifters lurking in the shadows—stories that feel closer than ever when you walk down the same streets where they supposedly took place.
Among the spine-tingling tales, The Beast of Fuquay and Shapeshifter left me with a shudder, hinting at ancient forces still prowling the night. The unsettling account of Free at Last struck a nerve with a haunting tale of the past, while The Miller’s Wife tells me that witches might have been in my town!! And then there’s Full House, a tale that makes you think if there are spirit’s closing doors everywhere.
Reading these stories, knowing the streets and landmarks they reference, made the experiences feel incredibly real. There’s an authenticity to the paranormal accounts that made me glance over my shoulder more than once, as if something could be lurking just out of sight. Fuquay-Varina’s history comes alive in the most bone-chilling way through this collection, reminding us that the past is never truly gone—it lingers in whispers and shadows.
Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, Fuquay-Varina Ghosts, Legends & Lore Volume 1 delivers a delightfully creepy glimpse into the haunted heart of the town I call home. If you live in or around this area, go pick up a copy and go on the ghost tours in town. I cannot wait for Volume 2 to unlock more of my fears of my hometown.

[Wendy · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I appreciated some of the stories. A lot of these feel more like fairytales or small anecdotes rather than ghost stories. I feel like a lot were too short and didn’t actually contain much substance. The book is advertised as being about fuquay-varina yet only some of the stories actually take place there. The organization seems kind of all over the place. I was really interested especially after seeing a lot of Liz’s videos. But I won’t be back for volume two.

[Pamela Perkins-Emmert · Rating 5 out of 5]

In addition to the ghosts, this was a fun way to learn a ton of Fuquay history. I am so excited to drive around and check out all the creepy historic parts of town.