Green Mountains, Dark Tales

by Joseph A. Citro

In this collection of tales, classic legends, and long-forgotten lore, best-selling compiler and investigator of the supernatural Joseph A. Citro takes us on a tour of every haunted corner of his native state. Combining the skills of a scrupulous researcher and masterful storyteller, Citro expands the terrain covered in his earlier books, venturing farther than ever before into the realms of the mysterious, the paranormal, and the just plain weird.

We tour a home designed by otherworldly architects, pass the night in haunted hotels, visit an antigravity spot, and search for demon-protected treasure.

We take a ride on Vermont's only ghost ship, visit tiny fairyland castles, and see a city in the sky. Then we try to determine who -- or what -- is buried in a mysterious grave in Cambridge.

We meet the last woman to be hanged in Vermont, explore the strange fate of a girl who heard the music of the spheres, and consider the bashful prophetess who saw God but was too shy to tell anyone.

Along the way we encounter villains and visionaries, misfits and monsters, in a state full of egotists, oddballs, and spiritual eccentrics. Skeptics and believers alike will delight in these strange but (maybe) true stories that can be read as regional history, folklore, or simply as entertainment. Guaranteed to amuse, tickle, and terrify!

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Tiaunna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got to meet the author, which was wicked cool, since one of the stories in this book is about my great aunt. Biased rating :)

[Cynthia Sprout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful stories, well-written.

[Carissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just read the section titled "Places". I had started with people, but I was bored after the first entry, so I skipped that section. The book reminds me of Weird New Jersey, except not nearly as entertaining. At one point the author alluded that, because such-and-such experience did not happen to them, maybe everyone else isn't telling the truth. I was finished with the section when I read the story about the whale being found and how it led to the discovery that the area was an underwater region-- ohh, but there might be some other craaaaazy sea monster discovery. What? There isn't anything extraordinary about it, the skeleton and region was scientifically explained, so there is no further suspense about a "mysterious creature". Paleontology, bitches!

[Katrina Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I recently moved to Vermont, I wanted to learn about my new home. I was thrilled to find a book about its ghost stories and strange occurrences and glad to see it was written by a Vermonter...one learns so much from local authors! I wasn't disappointed. Lots of interesting stories and I discovered places I'd like to visit. And maybe meet a ghost or two, too.

[Terrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

More weirdness in the Green Mountains as researched by Joseph Citro. I really enjoy his style of sharing these tales from Vermont's distant past and not too long ago.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine collection of local folklore masterfully woven into a backdrop of Vermont history.

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

More interesting folk-tales and legends from Joseph Citro. He's one of the best at this kind of book. Well-written and entertaining. Highly recommended.