Maine Ghosts and Legends: 30 Encounters with the Supernatural

by Tom Verde

Maine has a rich supernatural history and ghost stories from the state are as varied as they are prolific. Freelance writer and reporter Tom Verde first became interested in such eerie occurrences while researching first-hand encounters with ghosts for a series of public radio programs. This book recounts some of the spine-tingling tales he uncovered in his research, -The dagger-wielding shade who terrorized a Portland couple-The murdered Indian who revisited Means's Tavern-Famed diva Lillian Nordica, whose voice still echoes through the Farmington auditorium named in her honor-The hostile spirit who tried to frighten the tenants out of an Orrington house-Even an entire phantom ship, bound eternally for FreeportThese are not fictitious creations of literary imagination. People from all walks of life--including many who were positive they would never believe in ghosts--attest to these encounters.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal, Supernatural, Ghost Stories, Ghosts

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

I started writing professionally in 1983 out on Block Island, RI as a cub reporter (make that the only reporter) for The Block Island Times. I didn't know what I was doing, but I learned fast -- especially about town government and civics -- by covering town meetings, zoning board meetings, school committee meetings, etc. etc. all the while tending bar and working construction on the island year-round. It was the best education a budding journalist could get. From there I migrated to papers on Nantucket and Long Island before I ended up in Maine where I started freelancing for the Boston Globe, Down East magazine, Yankee, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network (and thereby NPR). While in Maine I researched and wrote a book of true ghost stories, published by Down East Books in 1989 (2nd edition 2013). I eventually moved to Boston where I continued to write for the Globe and public radio, working as a permanent fill-in Exec Producer at WBUR. When the Executive Producer of the business show Marketplace -- for whom I regularly filed stories -- started a radio travel show called the Savvy Traveler, I jumped at the chance to become a regular correspondent and traveled throughout Africa, Europe and the Middle East for the show. It was in the Middle East where I developed an interest in the history of Islam and its relations with the West which led me to start writing for AramcoWorld magazine, where I am now a senior contributor. I also developed an interest in the shared histories of the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and attended Hartford Seminary where I earned a Masters Degree in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations in 2009. I went on to teach Christian theology at an independent school in Jordan before returning to the United States where I continued to write about food, history, culture and lifestyle for AramcoWorld, the New York Times, Politico, Religion News Service, and other outlets. My interest in local New England history led me to writing a column for the Westerly Sun newspaper from 2014 to 2015 on unique and historic boats in the region. In 2020 I gathered together a lot of those columns and published them in a book, In A Class All Their Own: Unique and Historic Boats of New England (Globe Pequot Press).

I like to cook (I make my own bread, and have a wood-fired pizza oven in my kitchen)

I love to hike in the woods of southern RI, home to thousands of acres of open space

As Dorothy Parker once said, "I hate writing, but I love having written."

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure where to shelf this. It's nonfiction in the sense that it tells the story of various hauntings in Maine. However, I don't personally believe in ghosts so from that perspective a lot of it is fictional. Maybe I should have a shelf called mythology. I'll put it in "history" for now because many of the tales are of historical "ghosts."

I picked this up when my wife and I were in Maine for vacation. I always like to get a book on local lore whenever I take a trip.

Finished this book while on vacation. I enjoyed it. The stories of hauntings are not unusual and certainly the style of activity described is not unique to Maine. The author captured some of the creepiness of such experiences, though. And it did give a flavor of the Maine environments.

[EchoHouseLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not choose 5 stars for this book because of the writing...it was fine...but because of what I discovered about my own family history through reading it. I am electrified to learn that a 2nd cousin 2x removed is active despite his death in 1952! There were other tidbits as well...including the vampire to consumption link right at the time when at least one ancestor passed from this horrible disease. If you have ties to Maine do read this book!

[Erika Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that if you like ghosts than this is the book for you. It has many details about many different ghost stories and each one of them made me want to have more history about it. While reading this book I felt as if there was a ghost watching me and I got goosebumps while reading it at home in the dark. I think you should really read this book if you like ghosts

[Sophie Cimon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the mix between « historical » ghosts and more recent history. Brought it back from a trip to Maine, makes a good souvenir. More fun reading than scary.

[Kailee Fillion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m rating this book based on what it is at the surface and what it gives. Overall, the book is good for a legends and myths ghost story. It gives you stories on people, haunted objects, and just places in general. None of them were particularly scary, but in fairness the book or author never claimed any of the stories to be. I think it’s a fun little read for one who just likes to learn about some legends in other places across the states. I grew up in Maine and had no idea about some of these legends and if anyone else knows them at all! It’s definitely a solid read for tweens and adults!

[Hannah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is cool. It’s not scary to me but it seems so cool. I like all the legends and ghosts in the book is was super fun reading it.

[Valerie Sherman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some spooky stuff in here, but a lot of it is just Mainers hearing noises. The best stuff was the visual experiences.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

A light, enjoyable read if you like ghost stories and Maine. The writing and editing left quite a bit to be desired, although the author clearly enjoyed his research and subject matter.

[Michel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting stories. A couple gave me goose bumps, a couple were dull enough that I had to skim.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a ghost story book on a par with my beloved Haunted Ohio books. Well written, well researched.

[Megan Cobb · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a lot of typos in this one.

[Helga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing here is too terrifying and certainly nothing that would give anyone nightmares. However, the descriptions are interesting and very matter of fact.