Bones in the Basement: Surviving the S.K. Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion - Edwin Gonzalez & Lillian Otero's Story

by Joni Mayhan

From the author of the Amazon best-seller The Soul Collector comes a real life story of terror and intrigue. When Edwin Gonzalez and Lillian Otero purchased the historic S.K. Pierce Victorian Mansion in Gardner, Massachusetts, in 2009, they scoffed at the ghostly legends surrounding the house. They didn't believe in ghosts. The house soon proved them wrong. By the fall of 2011, they were forced from their house, narrowly escaping with their lives. Includes interviews from paranormal Carl Johnson, Andrew Lake, Michael Robishaw, Lucky Belcamino, Marc Arvilla, and more. Forward written by Thomas D'Agastino. Contains photos, as well as audio and video links of evidence captured at the Haunted Victorian Mansion.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horror, Ghosts

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2014

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just relays information u can look up on the Internet or see on TV . I would have given it 3 stars if there was a web site where u could find all the links in the book at. If u don't buy it on digital you are out of luck I could not find by typing in the link codes . The good part about the book is it supposedly goes to repairS for the mansion witch in itself really beautiful . So if u want to read it for that reason get it on I pad or kindle cause it's not fun to read 59 million link addresses type them in (witch takes 10 min each) just to find nothing , for the people who buy a actual copy witch was like 12 or 15 dollars they should have a book web site where all the links in the book are listed in order so u can go on ur phone or iPad or tablet or what ever and see and hear and watch them in order as they pop up in the book it would have made it so much more fun to read or they could have put one of those square things u can use an app to read on the back or cover it first page of the book. Ok I know first world problems but it just doesn't make sense to buy and actual copy and no where in the description of the book does it recommend to buy in digital . I was disappointed as a book lover the only thing that makes a book better is when u can interact with them sooooo cool. But anyway I hope they get the restoration done cause like I said its a cool old Victorian witch I love and it would be really neat if they could restore it to its former glory maybe the ghosts would back off. Supposedly there's like 3 portals and all the ghost hunting in and out of there has made it worse and there is like a demon in the basement and 13 ghosts in the house. I do believe in paranormal things but to what extent I can't decide, but if there were already ghosts and now there's more and portals for more to come through I would not live there either. Oh and by the way there was only one bone in the basement it only took like 2 pages up about it and apparently it was animal so the tittle totally misleading I was thinking they found a grave or something crazy, and it was some animal pelvic bone .

[Latasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just a little frustrating to me. Everybody told them the house was haunted and after numerous experiences, they still didn't want to admit it. i was raised hearing ghost stories from my family members, so the question of ghost existing or not was never a question with me. I try not to let that influence my reading or listening of a story but it did on this one. it's ok to admit you had a paranormal experience, really! the story was ok but frustrating.

i requested this audio book and left this review voluntarily.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great true paranormal read! Very, Very Creepy - has actual links to see the videos and audios of the entities in the house. The book will keep you glued wondering what's going to happen next to this family.

They endured the haunting for a long time - a few years, but still they stuck it out cause they wanted to continue to live in the home of their dreams despite the ghosts and dark entities that roamed the house. But their dream house turns out to be a horror house and I was surprised that they stayed in the house as long as they did.

This is definitely a five star read!

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite rather amateurish writing, this creepy book had my heart racing and I confess to having difficulty falling asleep some nights. I began to imagine that the sounds I was hearing in my dark house were supernatural.

Lots of pictures, lots of links that don't work when typing them in to my computer. Maybe they would work if you are reading an e-book.

I'm looking forward to spending a night in this Victorian mansion when it's ready to receive overnight guests - I'm on the waiting list. I hope!

[Patty Tourigny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Proofreading necessary

As we all know, spell check doesn't catch when auto complete just puts in the wrong word altogether.
That said I enjoyed reading about a local legend. The houses history is fascinating. However some of the stories seem a little exaggerated.
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the SK Peirce house.

[Jessica Cottrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book lol at first I didn't know if I would because it was written in a story format but it actually Allowed me To read it faster. I love a good scary book especially when it's about real life events that people Have had with the paranormal and this was a really good one. There are also links to EV p's that they did in the house and you can look them up on the Internet. I thought that was a really nice idea to put in.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! The house pulled me into the story just from the first chapter. I tried to read the book slowly as I did not want it to end! Edwin and Lillian went through a lot with the short time they lived in this house but I think the spirits still have a lot to tell if only they could get a way to tell their side of the story. I actually felt sorry for some of the spirits that seem to be stuck in this house as they can't seem to move on. If you want a good read about a haunted house, you need to give this one a try. I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in a distracted way

The story kept the ride from the West coast to the East and back at bay. I liked that Mayhan included little details about the haunting victims and painted a few details about their lives as well as those who shared a role in the story. What i found distracting was the sudden infusion of hyperlinks to EVP and videos toward the end and a little hyper dramatized probably for PC reasons. Hey style is good but could benefit from some tightening to make the text more engrossing.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true tale of Gardner's "most-famous" Haunted Victorian Mansion - from the time Edwin and Lillian purchased it to when they packed up their stuff and got the hell out! This book is chuck full of history, facts and even links to audio and other sites. I won't spoil it for the rest of you, but this is definitely a book to behold ... another page turner by Joni!

[Anita Fleck · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating read, especially after seeing many of the television recreations. Wanted to keep reading and hope for another follow-up story

I would recommend this book to anyone who craves true stories of the paranormal, but prefers to do their ghost investigating from the comfort of their own home.

[P.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good Non-Fiction paranormal read from Gardner Ma, About the S.K. Pierce Mansion. Picked it up and could not put it down. If you like true ghost stories then i definitely would recommend checking this out...

[Stacey Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

I worked across the street from this "Mansion" and have heard many stories over the years. The first hand accounts from the actual owners really creeped me out. I wasn't too keen on the "Ghost Hunters" portions

[Jewel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was listening to an episode of the podcast "Dark House" about the S.K. Pierce mansion in Massachusetts and the hosts were talking about this book and how it would give so much more information about the house and the haunting there. I felt like the hosts were recommending getting the book and I immediately grabbed it up before I even finished listening to the episode. Well, now I'm pretty sure they just wanted the author to agree to do the podcast as somewhat of an expert and they promised to hawk the book during the podcast in exchange for her interview.

This book is supposed to be the non-fiction story of Edwin and Lillian (former owners of the home) and their experiences in the house. However, it doesn't read like a non-fiction book. The author adds all kinds of fictionalized details to make it read more like a novel and the credibility just flew out the window for me. An example from extremely early, when we're learning from Edwin's perspective about he and his wife driving to look at the for-sale home for the first time:

"He glanced at her sitting in the passenger seat, her long black hair pulled into a high, sleek ponytail. She wore heavy silver earrings that swung back and forth as her head bobbed to the beat of the music. Her happiness was nearly contagious. He couldn't help smiling at her, causing some of his uneasiness to slough away." -p 4

Is this how Edwin accounted the first drive to the home to the author? He described her hairstyle and the earrings she wore that day? He remembered her bobbing her head to the music and passed that on to the author? These kinds of added details for the sake of making it read more like a novel are all through the book. It made me wonder what other things (for example the paranormal stuff) were written up to be a little bit more interesting.

It made me doubt the truth about anything that was written in this book. That and the fact that dreams different people had or someone random mentioning his nieces were psychic and giving information about the haunting were just accepted as proof or facts... No thank you. I'm not even a skeptic. I believe in much of the paranormal. I think the S.K. Pierce mansion is probably haunted. I just don't believe that because of anything that was written in this book.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you want to know what it's like to live in a haunted house? This is the book to read. It is a bit of a novelization. It's factual but reads like fiction, some people might enjoy this feature. I prefer something less embellished. It appears, which will be apparent on reading the book, the owners of the house greatly encouraged the hauntings so I do not feel sorry for them. They were told multiple times to stop with the ghost hunting nonsense and group tours but they did not. It also a good sourcebook to find out about ghost hunting groups. It seems every group in New England had their ectoplasm slathered on this one. The book is lavishing illustrated and has website addresses so you can hear the goings-on if you care to.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book from this Author and very much enjoyed her writing style. Of course the story of this Mansion and all that has gone on in it was also intriguing.

Many pictures of the Mansion were included in the book.

When I first heard it had sold again and was being renovated and going to be a “haunted” attraction, I was willing to sign the form to not hold anyone liable for injuries. It’s no longer going to be an attraction and really, I don’t think I’d want to stay the night either.

Really a very interesting read

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

I read this book because I came across the Haunted Victorian while I was visiting a friend in Gardner and I was drawn to the mansion, like many others.
The book gave great information on the history of the house and hauntings. 3 stars because I found multiple typos and at times the writing seemed forced but I would recommend.

[Dave Wilkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like it took a page from every haunted house story and slapped it all together. Decent story with some interesting history, but felt too much like it was trying to be AmityvilleConjuringSallieHousePoltergeist

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

audible:This was a good story.I enjoyed it.Samuel E Hoke was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

[Krystal Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time reading it and won't be my last :) since I work here it's a good read!

[Audra Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Joni has a great writing style with a great eye for detail. This book gets the whole story and keeps you reading till the end. The facet that there are links for the EVP'S in the book are great. Very in depth and a great read. Thank you Joni.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very creepy ! Not for the easily scared. Very informative also for those interested in true paranormal.

[Terralyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can you say superfluous? I got more than a quarter of the way through the book before anything remotely interesting took place, and I say 'interesting' loosely.

[Andrew Costa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure I can drive by the this old Victorian on my way to work anymore.

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book delivers a powerful punch. But once you’re threw the half way point the book becomes very boring and dull until the end. Overall I would rate 3/5 stars.