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The Myrtles Plantation: The True Story of America's Most Haunted House
The author of Ghostly Encounters describes her experiences as the owner of The Myrtles a former plantation mansion in Louisiana chronicling the chilling history of the old house her encounters with sometimes terrifying sometimes benevolent hauntings and the personal challenges that culminated in one cataclysmic event The former owner of Louisiana s Myrtles Plantation recognized as America s most haunted house reveals the spine tingling story of how she was drawn to the former plantation its bone chilling history and the incredible ghostly occurrences that forever changed her beliefs about the supernatural.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
October 17, 2015
I'm always a bit suspicious of books that claim to be "true stories" of hauntings and ghostly activity that can't even provide a few photographs. Even the books that do include photographs are laughable because the pictures are of such poor quality that you can't actually see anything resembling... well, anything... but at least they try to be convincing. This book even talks about photos that were taken, and yet, none of them are included in the book. Hmmm.
The author was former owner and caretaker of the Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana. Not only did she own and care for the building, she was, allegedly, drawn to it in a way that seems only someone who lived there once in the far, distant past might have been drawn to it. So it's not just a book about ghosts! It's about past lives and shit. This woman has done it all!
A lot of crazy shit happens to her in this book, and they happen to other people too, apparently. Like Hamp. She meets this man early on in her experience at the Myrtles, so we're talking like the early 80s. They become such good friends that he visits her after his death, providing her comfort and support in her darkest moments. Except... by his own admission during her recollections here, he was born in 1967. And she bought the property in 1980. Which means he would be at least 13 years old, maybe a few years older. But this is a grown-ass man, by the way she talks about him, a large, strong man.
Huh?
There are inconsistencies like that, and it's strange that it wouldn't have been caught by herself or her editor, but that's fine. There were moments in her story that would have been nice details in a work of fiction, or to be shown in a horror movie. But she lost me by the end by just how ridiculous things became before she finally left the property.
I've heard about this place before, and probably caught something about it on TV because I often loose periods of my life watching programs about haunted places. But this was the first "real" account of it I've read, and it's such a crack-job of a story that I found myself Lol'ing a few times. It's a shame, really - there were so many added details that made it so unbelievable that it was barely even fun to read any more. It was like that time in The Demon of Brownsville Road: A Pittsburgh Family's Battle with Evil in Their Home where Cranmer allegedly played Passion of the Christ in his home 24/7 in efforts to chase out the demon of his house.
The spirits in this place allegedly have sex with people living there. Uh huh.
Overall it was amusing to read, but again, no photographs, and so unbelievable that it was frustrating. I would have liked there to be more history of the plantation itself. I think there's plenty to be said about the ghostly history of a property, and the mythology of a community, and whatnot. But this book is, apparently, considered such trash that the Myrtles Plantation will not even sell copies of this book in their gift shop. I don't believe they deny ghostly activity, per se, but they do discredit the book and the author. That's pretty harsh.
This might have gotten 2 stars from me if only there were pictures that I could have at least scoffed at.
The author was former owner and caretaker of the Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana. Not only did she own and care for the building, she was, allegedly, drawn to it in a way that seems only someone who lived there once in the far, distant past might have been drawn to it. So it's not just a book about ghosts! It's about past lives and shit. This woman has done it all!
A lot of crazy shit happens to her in this book, and they happen to other people too, apparently. Like Hamp. She meets this man early on in her experience at the Myrtles, so we're talking like the early 80s. They become such good friends that he visits her after his death, providing her comfort and support in her darkest moments. Except... by his own admission during her recollections here, he was born in 1967. And she bought the property in 1980. Which means he would be at least 13 years old, maybe a few years older. But this is a grown-ass man, by the way she talks about him, a large, strong man.
Huh?
There are inconsistencies like that, and it's strange that it wouldn't have been caught by herself or her editor, but that's fine. There were moments in her story that would have been nice details in a work of fiction, or to be shown in a horror movie. But she lost me by the end by just how ridiculous things became before she finally left the property.
I've heard about this place before, and probably caught something about it on TV because I often loose periods of my life watching programs about haunted places. But this was the first "real" account of it I've read, and it's such a crack-job of a story that I found myself Lol'ing a few times. It's a shame, really - there were so many added details that made it so unbelievable that it was barely even fun to read any more. It was like that time in The Demon of Brownsville Road: A Pittsburgh Family's Battle with Evil in Their Home where Cranmer allegedly played Passion of the Christ in his home 24/7 in efforts to chase out the demon of his house.
The spirits in this place allegedly have sex with people living there. Uh huh.
Overall it was amusing to read, but again, no photographs, and so unbelievable that it was frustrating. I would have liked there to be more history of the plantation itself. I think there's plenty to be said about the ghostly history of a property, and the mythology of a community, and whatnot. But this book is, apparently, considered such trash that the Myrtles Plantation will not even sell copies of this book in their gift shop. I don't believe they deny ghostly activity, per se, but they do discredit the book and the author. That's pretty harsh.
This might have gotten 2 stars from me if only there were pictures that I could have at least scoffed at.
January 5, 2009
This book was very disappointing. As a Louisiana resident who has visited The Myrtles on several occasions and stayed the night there three times, I was hoping to find more historical information about the plantation. Despite claims that she did extensive research on The Myrtles, very little of this information is mentioned in her book. In fact, Kermeen is decidedly vague about any verifiable historical facts. She gives more historical background on a few other locations in St. Francisville, which is very little.
Kermeen makes good use of her theatrical background in creating this hodgepodge tale that is equal parts Amityville Horror, Gone With The Wind, and Louisiana folklore (or, in this case, fakelore) - all double-dipped in Cheese Whiz. She begins by implying that she was mysteriously "chosen" as the next caretaker of The Myrtles and hinting at a voodoo curse to conveniently explain why the house was seemingly so active while she was there. She may have been able to get away with that if she hadn't carried the tale a bit too far by hinting that she just might be a reincarnation of one of the previous residents of The Myrtles, by claiming to have been visited by the spirit of every friend that had died while she was in residence and then later claiming that the paranormal activity followed her after she left The Myrtles. After chapter 37, the story becomes utterly far-fetched as she stretches this farce to include one of her employees (a young teenage girl) having sex with a ghost and guests being raped by this ghost.
Even though she alleges to have done broad research on the plantation and to have had a burning desire to "find out everything she could" about the house, what she reports in the book is hearsay - stories told by a couple of locals - one of whom claimed to have gotten his information from the ghosts of The Myrtles themselves. On top of that, she is suspiciously unclear on the details of these stories. What she does say in the book is inaccurate. West Feliciana Parish courthouse and newspaper records have proven this. She says in this book that she found out, while she was living at The Myrtles, that the story of Sarah Mathilda and her two daughters being poisoned was not true, but in her previous book - written after she left The Myrtles - she tells the story of the poisonings, stating that Sarah Mathilda and her two daughters were poisoned by a beautiful mulatto slave and they all died that night. So, she actually contradicts herself. Why the discrepancy??? Sarah Mathilda was not murdered. She died from yellow fever (according to historical record) in 1823. Her children, a son and a daughter - not both daughters, died about a year after she did. They certainly did not die from the result of poison. Another example is the story of William Winter. Winter was indeed murdered on the front porch by an unknown assailant but after being shot, he immediately fell down and died. On January 26, 1871, while going over a Sunday School lesson with his young son in the men's parlor, Winter heard a man ride up on horseback and call out to him. It seemed the man was wanting to talk with the attorney over some matter. When Winter went out to see who this was, he was shot. The people inside the house rushed out to find him dead on the gallery. This was reported in the Point Coupee Newspaper. His bloody trip through the house never took place --- information that was easily found in historical records. (This, by the way, is the only verifiable murder to take place in the house.) In this book (on page 72) she states that her friend "Hamp" "had done a lot of research on the Myrtles at the regular venues--the library, LSU, and talking to people--but that he also got a lot of his information from 'them.'" Later in the book, on page 170, she says that "Hamp" told her (about the ghostly footsteps on stairs) "John L. told me once that it was William Winter. He said William was shot outside on the north gallery. There are still bullet holes in the plaster, and bloodstains on the wall and on the gallery that won't go away, no matter how hard you scrub. After he was shot he tried to make it into the house and up the stairs to Sarah. He died on the seventeenth step, in her arms." If he had done the research that Kermeen claims - and if she had done the research that she claims - they both would have known that this was not true. There are so many inconsistencies within this book (especially compared with the story she wrote in her first book) that it just becomes absolutely absurd. I'm beginning to wonder if this friend "Hamp" (who would have been 13 years old when she bought The Myrtles according to the birth year she gives in the book) was possibly a figment of her imagination as so much of her story of The Myrtles seems to be.
Even her "facts" that are not related to the house are inaccurate. She states that when she bought The Myrtles, one of her employees told her "Everyone goes to the same school now, but theys ain't really integrated. The black kids have their own classes with black teachers, and the white kids have their own classes with white teachers. They haves a black lunch, and a white lunch." - I was in high school in Louisiana at the time Kermeen bought The Myrtles and this is an absolute falsehood. Black and white kids went to the same classes, were taught by both black and white teachers, and they all ate lunch together - and had been doing so since before I started school. One has to ask oneself - in 1980, would federal officials have even allowed this to occur as Kermeen says? The answer is - unquestionably not!!
It appears that Ms. Kermeen was profoundly influenced by The Amityville Horror as she recycled several events recounted in that book, but puts her own spin on them. Coincidentally, The Amityville Horror was later exposed as a hoax.
I enjoyed reading of her reactions to cockroaches, grits, and crawfish. The rest is as embarrassing to me as The Amityville Horror is to the residents of Amityville, New York.
I finished this book only because I was hoping to find some redeeming quality, but I was sadly disappointed. If you're looking for some substantial information on The Myrtles, you'd be much better off with The Legends, Lore, and Lies of The Myrtles Plantation by Troy Taylor which is found on the internet.
Ms. Kermeen has made a mockery of the history and legends of The Myrtles and I sincerely hope that no one who reads this book will take it seriously. I do not discount paranormal activity at The Myrtles, but this narrative is clearly fiction. I am thoroughly sorry that I ever read this book. As has been said before - it's a waste of money and it insults your intelligence.
I would also like to mention that the current owner and employees of the Myrtles do not endorse this book. When asked about it, they will tell you quickly that it is not true (the ones that I talked to used much stronger language). This book is not even sold in the gift shop on the premises.
___________________________________
"This book, like the Amityville Horror, was sensationalized to sell and, apparently, readers were not disappointed.
Although The Myrtles is advertised as the most haunted house in the US in which at least 10 people were murdered, records indicate only one person was murdered inside the house.
Chloe, the mistreated slave mistress who wears a green turban to conceal her missing ear, is the invention of people who owned the house in the early 1970s. In GHOSTS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI, published in 1948, the ghost in the green turban is described as that of a French governess who had lost an ear to frostbite while working in Canada, and family records confirm such a governess was employed at The Myrtles.
Although oleander is a deadly poisonous plant occasionally utilized by murderers, no such poisonings took place at The Myrtles. This, too, was an invention of the people who changed the green-turbaned governess into Chloe, the slave.
This is not to say The Myrtles isn't haunted. The French governess may still haunt the house along with a few other spirits. But I would think the most active spirit would be that of Judge Woodruff who is angry about his good name being maligned by modern-day sensation seekers.
Regardless of all the hoopla about The Myrtles, it is not even the most haunted house in Louisiana, let alone in the US. Destrehan Plantation has several real, not manufactured, spirits and is more likely the most haunted house in Louisiana."
Kermeen makes good use of her theatrical background in creating this hodgepodge tale that is equal parts Amityville Horror, Gone With The Wind, and Louisiana folklore (or, in this case, fakelore) - all double-dipped in Cheese Whiz. She begins by implying that she was mysteriously "chosen" as the next caretaker of The Myrtles and hinting at a voodoo curse to conveniently explain why the house was seemingly so active while she was there. She may have been able to get away with that if she hadn't carried the tale a bit too far by hinting that she just might be a reincarnation of one of the previous residents of The Myrtles, by claiming to have been visited by the spirit of every friend that had died while she was in residence and then later claiming that the paranormal activity followed her after she left The Myrtles. After chapter 37, the story becomes utterly far-fetched as she stretches this farce to include one of her employees (a young teenage girl) having sex with a ghost and guests being raped by this ghost.
Even though she alleges to have done broad research on the plantation and to have had a burning desire to "find out everything she could" about the house, what she reports in the book is hearsay - stories told by a couple of locals - one of whom claimed to have gotten his information from the ghosts of The Myrtles themselves. On top of that, she is suspiciously unclear on the details of these stories. What she does say in the book is inaccurate. West Feliciana Parish courthouse and newspaper records have proven this. She says in this book that she found out, while she was living at The Myrtles, that the story of Sarah Mathilda and her two daughters being poisoned was not true, but in her previous book - written after she left The Myrtles - she tells the story of the poisonings, stating that Sarah Mathilda and her two daughters were poisoned by a beautiful mulatto slave and they all died that night. So, she actually contradicts herself. Why the discrepancy??? Sarah Mathilda was not murdered. She died from yellow fever (according to historical record) in 1823. Her children, a son and a daughter - not both daughters, died about a year after she did. They certainly did not die from the result of poison. Another example is the story of William Winter. Winter was indeed murdered on the front porch by an unknown assailant but after being shot, he immediately fell down and died. On January 26, 1871, while going over a Sunday School lesson with his young son in the men's parlor, Winter heard a man ride up on horseback and call out to him. It seemed the man was wanting to talk with the attorney over some matter. When Winter went out to see who this was, he was shot. The people inside the house rushed out to find him dead on the gallery. This was reported in the Point Coupee Newspaper. His bloody trip through the house never took place --- information that was easily found in historical records. (This, by the way, is the only verifiable murder to take place in the house.) In this book (on page 72) she states that her friend "Hamp" "had done a lot of research on the Myrtles at the regular venues--the library, LSU, and talking to people--but that he also got a lot of his information from 'them.'" Later in the book, on page 170, she says that "Hamp" told her (about the ghostly footsteps on stairs) "John L. told me once that it was William Winter. He said William was shot outside on the north gallery. There are still bullet holes in the plaster, and bloodstains on the wall and on the gallery that won't go away, no matter how hard you scrub. After he was shot he tried to make it into the house and up the stairs to Sarah. He died on the seventeenth step, in her arms." If he had done the research that Kermeen claims - and if she had done the research that she claims - they both would have known that this was not true. There are so many inconsistencies within this book (especially compared with the story she wrote in her first book) that it just becomes absolutely absurd. I'm beginning to wonder if this friend "Hamp" (who would have been 13 years old when she bought The Myrtles according to the birth year she gives in the book) was possibly a figment of her imagination as so much of her story of The Myrtles seems to be.
Even her "facts" that are not related to the house are inaccurate. She states that when she bought The Myrtles, one of her employees told her "Everyone goes to the same school now, but theys ain't really integrated. The black kids have their own classes with black teachers, and the white kids have their own classes with white teachers. They haves a black lunch, and a white lunch." - I was in high school in Louisiana at the time Kermeen bought The Myrtles and this is an absolute falsehood. Black and white kids went to the same classes, were taught by both black and white teachers, and they all ate lunch together - and had been doing so since before I started school. One has to ask oneself - in 1980, would federal officials have even allowed this to occur as Kermeen says? The answer is - unquestionably not!!
It appears that Ms. Kermeen was profoundly influenced by The Amityville Horror as she recycled several events recounted in that book, but puts her own spin on them. Coincidentally, The Amityville Horror was later exposed as a hoax.
I enjoyed reading of her reactions to cockroaches, grits, and crawfish. The rest is as embarrassing to me as The Amityville Horror is to the residents of Amityville, New York.
I finished this book only because I was hoping to find some redeeming quality, but I was sadly disappointed. If you're looking for some substantial information on The Myrtles, you'd be much better off with The Legends, Lore, and Lies of The Myrtles Plantation by Troy Taylor which is found on the internet.
Ms. Kermeen has made a mockery of the history and legends of The Myrtles and I sincerely hope that no one who reads this book will take it seriously. I do not discount paranormal activity at The Myrtles, but this narrative is clearly fiction. I am thoroughly sorry that I ever read this book. As has been said before - it's a waste of money and it insults your intelligence.
I would also like to mention that the current owner and employees of the Myrtles do not endorse this book. When asked about it, they will tell you quickly that it is not true (the ones that I talked to used much stronger language). This book is not even sold in the gift shop on the premises.
___________________________________
"This book, like the Amityville Horror, was sensationalized to sell and, apparently, readers were not disappointed.
Although The Myrtles is advertised as the most haunted house in the US in which at least 10 people were murdered, records indicate only one person was murdered inside the house.
Chloe, the mistreated slave mistress who wears a green turban to conceal her missing ear, is the invention of people who owned the house in the early 1970s. In GHOSTS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI, published in 1948, the ghost in the green turban is described as that of a French governess who had lost an ear to frostbite while working in Canada, and family records confirm such a governess was employed at The Myrtles.
Although oleander is a deadly poisonous plant occasionally utilized by murderers, no such poisonings took place at The Myrtles. This, too, was an invention of the people who changed the green-turbaned governess into Chloe, the slave.
This is not to say The Myrtles isn't haunted. The French governess may still haunt the house along with a few other spirits. But I would think the most active spirit would be that of Judge Woodruff who is angry about his good name being maligned by modern-day sensation seekers.
Regardless of all the hoopla about The Myrtles, it is not even the most haunted house in Louisiana, let alone in the US. Destrehan Plantation has several real, not manufactured, spirits and is more likely the most haunted house in Louisiana."
December 23, 2023
What a complete and utter load of crap.
I wanted to re-read The Feast of All Saints by Anne Rice, but it's not available for Kindle (booo) and ended up down a gothicy ghosty Louisiana book path and came across this one.
I've heard some of the ghost stories about this plantation and I do love a good ghost story. I want to believe in ghosts. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't.
But. The author of this book is full of shit, honestly. I will believe, or try to believe, stories about bumps in the night, strange tingly feelings in certain places and even some visual stuff but a ghost RAPING someone? Oh COME ON.
I could go on but I really don't feel this book deserves any more of my time, but I will add my very, very favorite part of the book to this review.
At one point she agrees to host the town's black prom at the plantation and is feeling some heat from the local racists. In discussing the situation with her usually non-racist friend, she is shocked to find he does not approve of the situation either and says:
Terrible book - terrible, terrible, the end.
I wanted to re-read The Feast of All Saints by Anne Rice, but it's not available for Kindle (booo) and ended up down a gothicy ghosty Louisiana book path and came across this one.
I've heard some of the ghost stories about this plantation and I do love a good ghost story. I want to believe in ghosts. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't.
But. The author of this book is full of shit, honestly. I will believe, or try to believe, stories about bumps in the night, strange tingly feelings in certain places and even some visual stuff but a ghost RAPING someone? Oh COME ON.
I could go on but I really don't feel this book deserves any more of my time, but I will add my very, very favorite part of the book to this review.
At one point she agrees to host the town's black prom at the plantation and is feeling some heat from the local racists. In discussing the situation with her usually non-racist friend, she is shocked to find he does not approve of the situation either and says:
I had believed him to be an enlightened and spiritual person; he was a vegetarian, after all...HA HA WHAT?
Terrible book - terrible, terrible, the end.
June 15, 2009
I was fully prepared not to like this book. I attempted to read another "true story" of living in a haunted home. I couldn't finish the other book, it was filled with too much spiritual mumb-jumbo. But enough about that book!
The Myrtles Plantation read like a novel, which, for me, is the saving grace of non-fiction. I felt Frances' excitement at finding and buying the plantation. I was overjoyed with her when she opened The Myrtles up as an inn. And I felt her pain, fear and sorrow as the house took from her.
I'm not necessarily saying that I am a believer. Until the last year or so, I would say for certain that I didn't believe in ghosts, only demons. However, I've felt the possibility open up to me recently. But Kermeen does tell a good story. If half of what she saw really happened, I would worry about staying in the Myrtles!
The Myrtles Plantation read like a novel, which, for me, is the saving grace of non-fiction. I felt Frances' excitement at finding and buying the plantation. I was overjoyed with her when she opened The Myrtles up as an inn. And I felt her pain, fear and sorrow as the house took from her.
I'm not necessarily saying that I am a believer. Until the last year or so, I would say for certain that I didn't believe in ghosts, only demons. However, I've felt the possibility open up to me recently. But Kermeen does tell a good story. If half of what she saw really happened, I would worry about staying in the Myrtles!
November 22, 2014
Here's a secret that's not even a (*real *historical*) secret: There was no Chloe. No slave ever registered by the owner of this old plantation was named Chloe or Cleo. Ever. There was, however, and according to historical scholars, a French governess at The Myrtles who indeed wore a turban as she was indeed missing an / a ear - she had come to Louisiana from Quebec and,in the northern cold, had suffered frostbite and lost at least one of these appendages.
So...no ear sliced off, no clandestine affair, no slave named Chloe hanged by other slaves as punishment. The ghost of a slave named Chloe doesn't exist because (ta-da!) there was never, ever, a slave named Chloe.
Oh, and the family - two children and their mother poisoned and killed? Try yellow fever but, yes, they did die in the house.
Be wary of tales spun out in hushed voices and told with lovely accents that almost *smell* like magnolias. Tales like that sell lots of house tours and over-nights. And while The Myrtles may well be haunted (it does have an extensive, rich history, and many, many people - including a friend of mine who is not given to flights of fancy yet nonetheless has a fascinating, inexplicable photo of what appears to be an entity, taken on the grounds of the place - have had experiences) Kermeen's account is so over-the-top, though,that it's impossible to believe. In fact, about halfway through this chronicle, the author shares that while in a store she 'picked up a copy of The Amityville Horror and thumbed through it.' Thumbed through it? More like purchased it, memorized it, and was either the victim of a whole lot of power of suggestion OR just really wanted to crank out a piece of fan fiction.
Oh, and don't tell your readers you're scared to death on a daily basis then turn around and list all the things you do that appear to be the antithesis of fear - things like holding séances, hosting Halloween mystery tours, having people dress up like long-dead residents of the house.... You lose credibility quickly. If anyone was truly that frightened there would be no way in hell they'd organize and participate in a séance in the place - especially if they were (according to Kermeen) expressly told *not* to by psychics and such.
Yeesh.
There is much material, written and televised, on The Myrtles, of its history and suspected haunting, and they are truly fascinating to read /watch. This account, however, was far from a good representation of the house and its *accurate* history. 2 Bummed Stars.
So...no ear sliced off, no clandestine affair, no slave named Chloe hanged by other slaves as punishment. The ghost of a slave named Chloe doesn't exist because (ta-da!) there was never, ever, a slave named Chloe.
Oh, and the family - two children and their mother poisoned and killed? Try yellow fever but, yes, they did die in the house.
Be wary of tales spun out in hushed voices and told with lovely accents that almost *smell* like magnolias. Tales like that sell lots of house tours and over-nights. And while The Myrtles may well be haunted (it does have an extensive, rich history, and many, many people - including a friend of mine who is not given to flights of fancy yet nonetheless has a fascinating, inexplicable photo of what appears to be an entity, taken on the grounds of the place - have had experiences) Kermeen's account is so over-the-top, though,that it's impossible to believe. In fact, about halfway through this chronicle, the author shares that while in a store she 'picked up a copy of The Amityville Horror and thumbed through it.' Thumbed through it? More like purchased it, memorized it, and was either the victim of a whole lot of power of suggestion OR just really wanted to crank out a piece of fan fiction.
Oh, and don't tell your readers you're scared to death on a daily basis then turn around and list all the things you do that appear to be the antithesis of fear - things like holding séances, hosting Halloween mystery tours, having people dress up like long-dead residents of the house.... You lose credibility quickly. If anyone was truly that frightened there would be no way in hell they'd organize and participate in a séance in the place - especially if they were (according to Kermeen) expressly told *not* to by psychics and such.
Yeesh.
There is much material, written and televised, on The Myrtles, of its history and suspected haunting, and they are truly fascinating to read /watch. This account, however, was far from a good representation of the house and its *accurate* history. 2 Bummed Stars.
October 11, 2025
Going into this, you expect a chilling dive into one of America’s most haunted houses — mysterious figures, eerie encounters, that classic New Orleans haunted vibe. But this book takes a complete 180.
I honestly feel bad for Frances Kermeen, because she’s clearly been through a lot. What starts as an exploration of The Myrtles quickly turns into a deeply personal memoir — one filled with divorce, infidelity, assault, and a fair amount of emotional turbulence. There are ghost stories sprinkled throughout, but they take a backseat to the author’s own struggles. It’s more about her journey than the hauntings themselves, and at times, it feels like a case of “main character syndrome.”
That said, there are definitely moments that are eerie — especially the strange connection she describes with the home’s previous owner. You can tell she believes in what she’s experienced, which gives certain sections an unsettling authenticity. Still, some of the claims feel a little far-fetched, and that’s coming from someone who wants to believe in this kind of thing.
Overall, if you’re looking for a deep-dive into the ghost lore of The Myrtles, this isn’t it. But if you’re interested in a haunted house story told through the lens of someone’s chaotic and emotional personal journey, you might find this one intriguing — just don’t expect a traditional Halloween read.
I honestly feel bad for Frances Kermeen, because she’s clearly been through a lot. What starts as an exploration of The Myrtles quickly turns into a deeply personal memoir — one filled with divorce, infidelity, assault, and a fair amount of emotional turbulence. There are ghost stories sprinkled throughout, but they take a backseat to the author’s own struggles. It’s more about her journey than the hauntings themselves, and at times, it feels like a case of “main character syndrome.”
That said, there are definitely moments that are eerie — especially the strange connection she describes with the home’s previous owner. You can tell she believes in what she’s experienced, which gives certain sections an unsettling authenticity. Still, some of the claims feel a little far-fetched, and that’s coming from someone who wants to believe in this kind of thing.
Overall, if you’re looking for a deep-dive into the ghost lore of The Myrtles, this isn’t it. But if you’re interested in a haunted house story told through the lens of someone’s chaotic and emotional personal journey, you might find this one intriguing — just don’t expect a traditional Halloween read.
January 21, 2011
I really liked this book. The following is a review that I read that made me decide to read this book, it is copied and pasted as follows:
Being just a little skeptical of The Myrtles I mainly picked up this book because I very much enjoyed this author's previous book filled with ghost accounts from across the country. Now that I have read this book which is written with such sincere conviction and forthright honesty I am convinced that The Myrtles is indeed a very haunted place.
Frances Kermeen and her husband Jim bought The Myrtles in 1980 with the intent of being innkeepers and they appear to have been very successful in that enterprise. So successful in fact that they had several guests that just wouldn't leave. As she relates the story of her often frightening experiences at The Myrtles Ms. Kermeen come across as one of the most sincere authors that I have come across when reading this type of book. She holds nothing back and gives the reader the whole story no matter how hard it must have been for her to write about. Interestingly it is this author who finds out that some of the legends surrounding the plantation are incorrect and through much hard work she pieces together what really happened which actually may have pacified some of the spirits.
What happened to the author and her family and friends at The Myrtles is so fascinating that I basically read this book in one sitting. Just like a great novelist, Ms. Kermeen manages to make the reader really begin to care about the people in the story and one begins to worry about what may happen to them next and it becomes very hard to put this book down. The only negative to be found in this book is the author's sometimes-condescending attitude toward Southern traditions regarding marriage and manners. That type of attitude is why we Southerners are so leery of people who move in from other parts of the country but this small foible takes very little away from the book as a whole. This author's first book was quite good but I have never seen any author's writing skill improve so much between first and second books. I am sure that the personal feeling that she poured into this book will make it a classic for years to come.
If you wonder what it is like to live with ghosts or if you just like a good ghost story then this is a book you will definitely want to read. The story of The Myrtles will make you laugh, cry and duck your head under the bed covers. I hope that Ms. Kermeen will continue her research into the supernatural and will give us many, many more books like this one. This is very close to being the perfect ghost story book.
Being just a little skeptical of The Myrtles I mainly picked up this book because I very much enjoyed this author's previous book filled with ghost accounts from across the country. Now that I have read this book which is written with such sincere conviction and forthright honesty I am convinced that The Myrtles is indeed a very haunted place.
Frances Kermeen and her husband Jim bought The Myrtles in 1980 with the intent of being innkeepers and they appear to have been very successful in that enterprise. So successful in fact that they had several guests that just wouldn't leave. As she relates the story of her often frightening experiences at The Myrtles Ms. Kermeen come across as one of the most sincere authors that I have come across when reading this type of book. She holds nothing back and gives the reader the whole story no matter how hard it must have been for her to write about. Interestingly it is this author who finds out that some of the legends surrounding the plantation are incorrect and through much hard work she pieces together what really happened which actually may have pacified some of the spirits.
What happened to the author and her family and friends at The Myrtles is so fascinating that I basically read this book in one sitting. Just like a great novelist, Ms. Kermeen manages to make the reader really begin to care about the people in the story and one begins to worry about what may happen to them next and it becomes very hard to put this book down. The only negative to be found in this book is the author's sometimes-condescending attitude toward Southern traditions regarding marriage and manners. That type of attitude is why we Southerners are so leery of people who move in from other parts of the country but this small foible takes very little away from the book as a whole. This author's first book was quite good but I have never seen any author's writing skill improve so much between first and second books. I am sure that the personal feeling that she poured into this book will make it a classic for years to come.
If you wonder what it is like to live with ghosts or if you just like a good ghost story then this is a book you will definitely want to read. The story of The Myrtles will make you laugh, cry and duck your head under the bed covers. I hope that Ms. Kermeen will continue her research into the supernatural and will give us many, many more books like this one. This is very close to being the perfect ghost story book.
April 20, 2022
Oh geez, how do you write a review about a book you read almost 10 years ago and don't remember all the details but still know you loved every minute of it? I'm not sure but I do know that I think of this book pretty often still. It was one of the first, if not the first paranormal story that I ever read and it is what got me into the kind of books I enjoy the most these days. I'm going to have to reread it soon, I miss it haha. Just pick it up and let me know what your thoughts are on it. I have yet to find another reader that I talk to, that has read this book.
July 7, 2018
3.5 stars... I’ve long since been fascinated by everything to do with the Myrtles... I’m honestly not sure how much of this book I believe though it was definitely a fun read. Makes me want to spend the night!
July 15, 2018
Very scary!!!!
July 19, 2018
A fun and thrilling read whether you believe in ghosts and apparitions or not. I enjoyed this book very much! It was a quick and easy read and kept me entertained.
May 12, 2012
The Myrtles Plantation is an actual plantation located in Louisiana that has had a documented history of being haunted almost since it was built in the late 1700s. Frances and her husband Jim bought the plantation while on vacation in the 1980s. Since the first time they set foot on the premise, Frances knew that there was something wrong with the house. Yet, they still went through with the purchase and eventually opened the house to the public as a bed and breakfast. From the first night, Frances saw and felt ghosts in the house. Some had an ambiguous presence and others were more malevolent and eventually caused damage to Frances' loved ones. The ghosts ranged from slaves to children to locally prominent men. Frances spent many nights running from the ghosts and seeking residence in other people's houses in order to get out of the clutches of the spirits. Still, she refused to sell the house. Her best friend, Charles, moved into the house to help her restore and run the property. After a couple of years, Charles became a belligerent alcoholic who went from being a good willed and high spirited man to a depressed and pessimistic burden. Similarly, Frances' once faithful husband began to waver in his affections after living in the house for a period of time. Lastly, was Frances' "adopted" daughter Joanie who Frances took in and cared for like her own. Under the Myrtles' roof, Joanie became disobedient and betrayed Frances in ways that she never thought possible. Overall, the house took prisoner all of its residents and left their lives changed forever.
In the beginning, Frances wove an incredibly enthralling tale. The ghostly appearances gave me the precise chills that I was looking for. For nights on end, I had to sleep with my TV on for fear that the ghosts would come through the Kindle and plague me where I sleep. Once I got through half of the book, it seemed that Frances began to run out of steam. The story changed from the ghostly encounters at the Myrtles to Frances' trite memoir. I was extremely sadden by this change because Frances' own story was not nearly as exciting a that of the Myrtles. In addition, her entire tone changed and became blaming and sorrowful. She was judgmental of each character that she presented and described in great detail all of their flaws. Yet, she never turned the introspection on herself. Numerous times she told the same story about how she made her own money to pay for the place and yet was never accepted into the clique in town. This was not the only story in which she complained about situations in which she placed herself.
www.iamliteraryaddicted.blogspot.com
In the beginning, Frances wove an incredibly enthralling tale. The ghostly appearances gave me the precise chills that I was looking for. For nights on end, I had to sleep with my TV on for fear that the ghosts would come through the Kindle and plague me where I sleep. Once I got through half of the book, it seemed that Frances began to run out of steam. The story changed from the ghostly encounters at the Myrtles to Frances' trite memoir. I was extremely sadden by this change because Frances' own story was not nearly as exciting a that of the Myrtles. In addition, her entire tone changed and became blaming and sorrowful. She was judgmental of each character that she presented and described in great detail all of their flaws. Yet, she never turned the introspection on herself. Numerous times she told the same story about how she made her own money to pay for the place and yet was never accepted into the clique in town. This was not the only story in which she complained about situations in which she placed herself.
www.iamliteraryaddicted.blogspot.com
February 4, 2013
I flew through this book yesterday and found it to be quite a story!
Are the things that Kermeen described true, did they really happen? I can find no explanation for her to put a story such as this out there for the public to criticize if it wasn't true. Could she have done it for the money? Yes of course, but it seems like she had enough money to begin with. Why anyone would subject themselves to public scrutiny just for monetary gain? I know it happens all the time, but in this case....I'm just not sure.
That being said, though I enjoyed the book, there were parts I found to be questionable. A psychic or spiritual or awakened (?) friend warned them from tempting the spirits by holding seances or using an Ouija board, and then the very next page, they are holding a group seance to channel spirits. That was just weird. And there was never any mention of her bringing in a priest to bless the house or even a psychic or 'voodoo' queen to calm down the spirits even though she was quick to point out the correlation between her and the previous owner's visit to Haiti right before purchasing the property, and the 'curse' that was placed on her during this visit. After the beginning of the book, I don't remember her mentioning this 'curse' again.
I have to conclude that some of the explanations given in this book, especially at the end with the philandering husband, were just too unbelievable. Yes, I think that some of the things written about really happened, but I think at the same time they were embellished.
Footnote: While trying to find other information on The Myrtles Plantation, I have found that the accounts on the history of the 'ghosts' are questionable. It seems that some of the explanations have been embellished year after year when in reality, they never happened at all. However, most information does allow that this old plantation does in fact have ghostly activity.
Are the things that Kermeen described true, did they really happen? I can find no explanation for her to put a story such as this out there for the public to criticize if it wasn't true. Could she have done it for the money? Yes of course, but it seems like she had enough money to begin with. Why anyone would subject themselves to public scrutiny just for monetary gain? I know it happens all the time, but in this case....I'm just not sure.
That being said, though I enjoyed the book, there were parts I found to be questionable. A psychic or spiritual or awakened (?) friend warned them from tempting the spirits by holding seances or using an Ouija board, and then the very next page, they are holding a group seance to channel spirits. That was just weird. And there was never any mention of her bringing in a priest to bless the house or even a psychic or 'voodoo' queen to calm down the spirits even though she was quick to point out the correlation between her and the previous owner's visit to Haiti right before purchasing the property, and the 'curse' that was placed on her during this visit. After the beginning of the book, I don't remember her mentioning this 'curse' again.
I have to conclude that some of the explanations given in this book, especially at the end with the philandering husband, were just too unbelievable. Yes, I think that some of the things written about really happened, but I think at the same time they were embellished.
Footnote: While trying to find other information on The Myrtles Plantation, I have found that the accounts on the history of the 'ghosts' are questionable. It seems that some of the explanations have been embellished year after year when in reality, they never happened at all. However, most information does allow that this old plantation does in fact have ghostly activity.
January 19, 2010
This is a must-read for any fan of ghost stories. Kermeen kept me enthralled, amazed, spooked, and wondering for the entire length of the book. It's been years since any book or movie kept me awake at night, jumping at shadows, but Kermeen succeeded.
It doesn't really matter whether you believe that these experiences really happened or whether Kermeen is one of those hippy types who talks to fairies in her backyard or whether she's just plain lying. This is a book full of classic hauntings. Stephen King could have based "The Shining" on the stories of the Myrtles, or vice versa.
Whatever, I had a great time. I haven't finished a book this fast since the last volume of Harry Potter. I couldn't put it down. I can't believe it as a true story, but part of me wants to. Even Kermeen's sometimes sub-standard writing didn't mar the fun—indeed, the flaws somehow added a real-life-person-who-can-be-believed flair.
I have no idea if any of the experiences retold in this book can be collaborated by witnesses. I have no idea if the names are made up. Ultimately—as with faith—it's up to the reader to decide whether or not s/he sees this as a work of truth, fiction, or perspective. According to other sources I've read, the ghosts of the plantation are merely legends given to strange events. In which case, the testimony of Frances Kermeen shows startling insight into the power of words and ideas to shape perceptions of reality.
It doesn't really matter whether you believe that these experiences really happened or whether Kermeen is one of those hippy types who talks to fairies in her backyard or whether she's just plain lying. This is a book full of classic hauntings. Stephen King could have based "The Shining" on the stories of the Myrtles, or vice versa.
Whatever, I had a great time. I haven't finished a book this fast since the last volume of Harry Potter. I couldn't put it down. I can't believe it as a true story, but part of me wants to. Even Kermeen's sometimes sub-standard writing didn't mar the fun—indeed, the flaws somehow added a real-life-person-who-can-be-believed flair.
I have no idea if any of the experiences retold in this book can be collaborated by witnesses. I have no idea if the names are made up. Ultimately—as with faith—it's up to the reader to decide whether or not s/he sees this as a work of truth, fiction, or perspective. According to other sources I've read, the ghosts of the plantation are merely legends given to strange events. In which case, the testimony of Frances Kermeen shows startling insight into the power of words and ideas to shape perceptions of reality.
February 15, 2012
This is an account of the authors experience at the plantation / bed and breakfast that spans the ten years that her and her husband owned it. She tells of the events that seemed to draw her to the plantation to the effects that it had on her friends and family. The experiences range from the merely strange to the terrifyingly sinister.
The author does not really try to convert readers to believe in the supernatural; instead she states in the beginning of the book that these are her experiences and that the reader should take them as such. All in all this is an interesting book about one woman’s experience with the supernatural in one of the more recognized haunted places.
I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in books about ghosts and those that like read about individual stories rather than books that cover many different hauntings. m.a.c
The author does not really try to convert readers to believe in the supernatural; instead she states in the beginning of the book that these are her experiences and that the reader should take them as such. All in all this is an interesting book about one woman’s experience with the supernatural in one of the more recognized haunted places.
I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in books about ghosts and those that like read about individual stories rather than books that cover many different hauntings. m.a.c
September 13, 2022
Not only one of the worst books I've ever read, but actively has potential to do harm to unsuspecting readers. So, content warning: graphic depiction of rape, extremely racist depictions of Black people, homophobic and transphobic depictions of LGBTQIA individuals, ableism, substance abuse, adultery, suicide ... and probably more that I've already blocked from my memory.
Sure, there's some cool ghost activity, but it's mostly through the lens of someone who runs away from any encounter rather than try to understand it or explain the historical significance to readers. The author/narrator comes off as classist, arrogant, and generally very unlikable and annoying.
I suggest getting your Southern paranormal content elsewhere.
Sure, there's some cool ghost activity, but it's mostly through the lens of someone who runs away from any encounter rather than try to understand it or explain the historical significance to readers. The author/narrator comes off as classist, arrogant, and generally very unlikable and annoying.
I suggest getting your Southern paranormal content elsewhere.
August 15, 2008
Although this is a non-fiction book it reads like a novel. It begins with VooDoo and runs the gamut through love story, historical story and into the ghostly. Very well written, Frances Kermeen takes you with her through the years and all the events that happened around her. Her style is down-home and she makes you feel at home in her life.
The happenings surrounding the Myrtles begins innocently enough but progresses to harmful and dangerous events. If you like a good ghost story you will love this book. A rare find is this combination of fiction-like story and horror-like paranormal story.
The happenings surrounding the Myrtles begins innocently enough but progresses to harmful and dangerous events. If you like a good ghost story you will love this book. A rare find is this combination of fiction-like story and horror-like paranormal story.
December 24, 2009
This is one of the best ghost stories I have read in a while!
It had always been one of Frances' dreams to own and run an inn. While on vacation with her boyfriend she finds out that the myrtles is on the market! There's only one thing that would stop Frances from owning the plantation of her dreams, she needs to be married.
This book is much more than a ghost story! The betrayals this woman faced were horrible. Not only was she dealing with horrifying things on the supernatural level but she was also dealing with horrifying things on a more practical level.
I don't recomend reading this and sleeping in a lonely house because it will definantly have you shuddering under the blankets!
It had always been one of Frances' dreams to own and run an inn. While on vacation with her boyfriend she finds out that the myrtles is on the market! There's only one thing that would stop Frances from owning the plantation of her dreams, she needs to be married.
This book is much more than a ghost story! The betrayals this woman faced were horrible. Not only was she dealing with horrifying things on the supernatural level but she was also dealing with horrifying things on a more practical level.
I don't recomend reading this and sleeping in a lonely house because it will definantly have you shuddering under the blankets!
January 23, 2016
Ohh gosh. So many things about this book. If you want a true ghost story- this isn't it. In fact I feel like the 'ghost' aspect was a cover for what was really happening in the home. Am I saying it's not haunted? I don't know that either way. I found the reincarnation aspect of this book to be frustrating and once I got to the end I figure it's more of a hindsight explanation for the painful truth of her situation.
Oddly enough I think if this was simply a book about the authors life - fictionalized or otherwise- it wouldn't garner such scorn from readers. Maybe she should have left the ghosts out of it and just wrote a story.
Oddly enough I think if this was simply a book about the authors life - fictionalized or otherwise- it wouldn't garner such scorn from readers. Maybe she should have left the ghosts out of it and just wrote a story.
November 13, 2015
What a truly disappointing book and I am being kind.
Usually with the "True Hauntings" genre it is scarier than fiction as it is real (allegedly). BUT this just reads like a cross between a very clichéd Mills and Boon romance novel and a Tourist book for the Myrtles and the surrounding area. As a result when the paranormal (I am not convinced by the author) occur they are dull and insipid.
There is also an alleged rape by a caterer and a ghost? It is so poorly written that you don't know which is which and by this stage I wanted the author to self combust.
To my friends who have marked it to read - please don't!
Usually with the "True Hauntings" genre it is scarier than fiction as it is real (allegedly). BUT this just reads like a cross between a very clichéd Mills and Boon romance novel and a Tourist book for the Myrtles and the surrounding area. As a result when the paranormal (I am not convinced by the author) occur they are dull and insipid.
There is also an alleged rape by a caterer and a ghost? It is so poorly written that you don't know which is which and by this stage I wanted the author to self combust.
To my friends who have marked it to read - please don't!
January 9, 2012
By far, one of the best books I have ever read. Although this is a true account by Frances Kermeen of her stay at the Myrtles Plantation, it reads like a fantastic fiction novel. Which leads me to feel a deep swell of pity for her given some of the situations that becomes the norm for her.
This book is great as the title suggests that it's going to be intense and thick with terror, however this is not the case. It does give you a scare every now and then, but nothing too harsh as to keep you up for days.
Bravo, Frances, bravo.
This book is great as the title suggests that it's going to be intense and thick with terror, however this is not the case. It does give you a scare every now and then, but nothing too harsh as to keep you up for days.
Bravo, Frances, bravo.
March 17, 2014
The story talks about the many ghosts and the experiences that the author had while living in the Myrtles. What I cannot figure out is why she stayed if she was as scared as she talks about in the book. She is constantly running away from the ghosts and her house, even before she bought it. She was warned several times that the house had evil in it, yet she is surprised when her friends and family turn morose and unstable.
The story is well written, but pretty lame as it doesn't answer most of the questions of why the house is so haunted.
The story is well written, but pretty lame as it doesn't answer most of the questions of why the house is so haunted.
October 20, 2015
Being a "fan" of all things paranormal, I had already read or heard much about the seriously haunted Myrtles. This book, though, was written by a previous owner of the house, so there were many fascinating revelations. It was also most interesting to read about her experiences in the decade (1970-1980) which she owned the place and how it totally took over her life, both a good and a bad thing. Her writing style is excellent and makes it easy to experience events right along with her. An extremely interesting view of living in a haunted house!
January 26, 2010
This book is a favorite of mine. It is based on a lady who lived for 10 years in america's most haunted bed and breakfast. It takes you through 10 years of history and hauntings. I was so mesmirized by this book I took an 8 hour trip to the bed and breakfast in St. Francesville Louisianna and actually spent the night in the house. If I didn't believe in ghost, I do now. Not only did I hear so much activity, I have pictures. It is a great scary read. Loved it.
dnf
September 4, 2017I dislike anything about the Myrtles Plantation because they state legends as fact. I read this one hoping it would tell the real history which was just as tragic as the made up stories. This book was not worth the read and featured more outlandished stories.
April 9, 2021
The book was ok but I detected a low key racist undertone. I know she pointed out the blatant racism in the area, but the author made it seem like every black person she talked to spoke broken English. Also, her role in the black prom situation still doesn't sit right with me...
May 7, 2009
Absolute nonsense presented as fact, badly written and full of inconsistencies. A waste of 20p
July 11, 2010
Sure makes you think twice about ghost being a part of our world I do believe.
January 2, 2012
It was an interesting read, but so much of it is obvious bullshit - it is best just read as a ghost story.
July 22, 2018
Another creepy AF tale of a real haunted house that has sent shivers down my spine.
The thing I really loved about this book was that it wasn’t only Frances Kermeen’s story of her time at The Myrtles Plantation, but also a rich and beautifully told history of the south and what it’s like to live there. It so easily could’ve been a tawdry, trashy affair, however, it is really quite beautifully written and thrillingly told.
It almost reads like a novel, I had to keep reminding myself that it was a true story, a classic case of truth being stranger than fiction.
Considering Frances Kermeen isn’t a professional writer, this is such an easily read book, it seems like it was written by a pro at the peak of their powers. It seems as though everyone these days is a writer, they have something happen to them so they decide to write a book about it, or they get the inkling to write fiction because they think they’ve got a story to tell, so often these kind of people write bad books that are forgotten almost immediately. Not Frances though, her book is awesome and I will remember it for a long time to come.
I’m shaving off half a point because throughout the book there are people introduced that seem to get forgotten about, perhaps it’s because they didn’t bring anything to the story that needed to be told, but at the end I was thinking “ok what happened to that person?”. Also, it would’ve been great to have some pictures included, the way this book has been published is exactly like those non-fiction books that have glossy pictures in the middle, however, with this there was zilch.
Great book, highly recommended for fans of shows like A Haunting or Paranormal Witness. 4.5 stars.
The thing I really loved about this book was that it wasn’t only Frances Kermeen’s story of her time at The Myrtles Plantation, but also a rich and beautifully told history of the south and what it’s like to live there. It so easily could’ve been a tawdry, trashy affair, however, it is really quite beautifully written and thrillingly told.
It almost reads like a novel, I had to keep reminding myself that it was a true story, a classic case of truth being stranger than fiction.
Considering Frances Kermeen isn’t a professional writer, this is such an easily read book, it seems like it was written by a pro at the peak of their powers. It seems as though everyone these days is a writer, they have something happen to them so they decide to write a book about it, or they get the inkling to write fiction because they think they’ve got a story to tell, so often these kind of people write bad books that are forgotten almost immediately. Not Frances though, her book is awesome and I will remember it for a long time to come.
I’m shaving off half a point because throughout the book there are people introduced that seem to get forgotten about, perhaps it’s because they didn’t bring anything to the story that needed to be told, but at the end I was thinking “ok what happened to that person?”. Also, it would’ve been great to have some pictures included, the way this book has been published is exactly like those non-fiction books that have glossy pictures in the middle, however, with this there was zilch.
Great book, highly recommended for fans of shows like A Haunting or Paranormal Witness. 4.5 stars.
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