Ghosts of the Queen Mary

by Brian Clune, Christopher Fleming (Foreword)

Learn the stories behind this luxurious—and haunted—ocean liner . . . includes photos!   For thirty-one years, the RMS Queen Mary sailed the North Atlantic. It helped defeat Hitler and was the ship of choice for the world’s rich and famous. Now in retirement in the Port of Long Beach, the “Stateliest Ship Afloat” plays host to tourists, travelers—and more than six hundred spirits that roam her halls and passageways.   These choice decks remain the floating home of a few regulars, including the oft-glimpsed White Lady, as well as Little Jackie, John Henry and, of course, Grumpy. Join paranormal investigators Brian Clune and Bob Davis as they take you to the hot spots of activity from port to starboard and relate tales from the dockside about the spirits that haunt the grandest liner ever built.  

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

145 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2014

Reviews

[Niko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had read this before staying on the RMS Queen Mary but it was still great to learn more

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice read that had a good balance between the history and the actual tales of ghosts and hauntings and it was the perfect end for my October reads.

[Lee Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impressive read on the Queen Mary from construction, through service during WWII and as a luxury liner, leading to the spirits who have refused to leave the ship after all these years.
I have been to the Queen Mary twice in my life. The first time was to merely take in the history, and walk the decks of this beautiful liner. The second time was to spend more time actually seeing the ship with the Ghost Tour, and viewing areas of the ship you can’t see on your own.
After reading this book, I so want to return again, and spend more than one day wandering the ship. I want to spend a few nights in the hotel, and explore the full paranormal experiences offered with this amazing and historic ship.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stories but the book is very repetitive. It is divided into sections and ghost sightings and stories are told first as an introduction to each ghost and then repeated in the area where they can be found.

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a really good balance between historical information and ghost stories.

[Isebella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating little read for anyone who's a fan of the Queen Mary.

The first half is some basic history and knowledge about the Queen Mary and the services she provided throughout her years and her time during WWII.

The second half is more of the paranormal aspects and the ghost encounters. There are brief descriptions of some of the more well known ghosts, the haunted hot spots and some ghost stories from passengers and paranormal researchers.

If you're looking for a book with nothing, but ghost stories and indepth knowledge of the paranormal tales about the Queen Mary, then this book is not for you. If you are curious about all those things, then I'd suggest reading the Foreword and skip to chapter 6 and read from there. Anything else is history of the Queen Mary herself.

This was an enjoyable book overall and I'd definitely recommend to anyone who wants some basic history lessons tied with some spooky ghost tales.

[Deedee Dudley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative!

I highly recommend that you read this book, especially if you are planning A visit to the Queen Mary! It was great to know where all the ‘Hot Spots ‘ were and the stories behind them before we explored the ship.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After taking the ghost tour on the Queen Mary, it was fun to read this book. Although, I kind of wish I would have read it before we went.

[Peter Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because I happened to find a video online about a guy visiting what this book refers to as "hot spots" on the RMS Queen Mary. So yes, the ghost stories brought me to the book, but I was also fascinated (maybe even more so) by the ship's history! I never knew that she served in WWII, and I grew up near where she's docked and visited her several times. Perhaps I DID know this, but had forgotten. I certainly don't remember knowing that she was officially a Disney Queen for about four years, though I had heard about Disney's proposed theme park in Long Beach.

I absolutely loved reading about the ship's history, and how that history tied in with the ghost stories. Sometimes, the author's repeated themselves, even exact phrases, but that didn't really bother me. The only thing that DID bother me was that in the last chapter of the book - where other people were allowed to share their stories - a woman talked about her husband taking four pictures of her on his iPhone and in one of them was a bellhop that they're certain was a ghost. For the love of ghosts, why weren't those pictures IN THE BOOK?! There were plenty of pictures of the beautiful ship, and even some of ghosts, so I guess I can't complain. Still, that was a great story and it's a shame it couldn't be validated by letting the reader see those pics!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories of my visits to the Queen Mary came flooding back as I read this book! I stayed aboard numerous times between 2012 and 2018 while visiting my aunt in Long Beach. Being a history buff, I welcomed the chance to stay in a floating museum! I regret not keeping a diary of each visit; however Brian Clune's book helped me recall many creepy experiences I had on board! I learned so much from reading his summaries of the ship's history. Every trip I experienced a different type of activity which can be explained now that I have read Clune's book!
"Ghosts of the Queen Mary" also helps to promote the uniqueness of the Queen Mary in hopes that she will continue to be cared for and appreciated for her role in our world's history. The Queen Mary's history and contributions to the war efforts must be available for current and future generations to experience. Likewise, her paranormal activity is an important feature for guests and paranormal investigators as we continue to understand that world. The paranormal information opens the window to the sadness that was a large part of her voyages. Life happened on those long voyages resulting in a wide range of human emotions. Thanks to Brian Clune, we have a well written compilation of the Queen's incredible journey through turbulent times.

[Kelsie Christensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was… bad. I remember reading a similar book in elementary school that haunted and consumed me. I wanted to relearn about all of those ghosts that haunt the Queen Mary, and while I did learn a bit from this, it was extremely dry. It was also VERY repetitive and boring. I don’t know how you make ghosts boring… but this book did. It was awful, I do not recommend it. For adults and children alike.

[Janel Naro · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

It was a nice short interesting palette cleanser. Book club pick.

Before this I'd never heard of the Queen Mary. I really enjoyed reading about the history of the ship and it's role in WWII. It felt a bit redundant at times though - described the ghosts and where they're found in one chapter, then again repeated the same information in the "hot spots" chapter when going through each haunted place in the book.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good, little short read of stories of ghosts of the Queen Mary. Filled with stories and information, it gives an overview of the haunted areas of the ship and what has been found there. Enjoyed the history behind the ship and what people have encountered now that the ship is dry-docked. Very informative.

[Britt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The quick historical overview was okay, but the ghost stories were lame with the silliest photos to show evidence of haunts. I read this on my way to stay on the ship so it helped to prepare me, but some of the info was in conflict with the tours. I saw no ghosts but I could see how someone could easily think they did.

[Christine Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

FYI, if you’re looking for the ghost stories jump to the middle of the book. The first couple chapters are the history behind the boat and honestly went more in depth then I cared for. I found the stories and information to be repetitive and lost interest relatively quickly.

[Megan Bond · Rating 2 out of 5]

read as a vacation book while touring Queen Mary. I felt the book was disorganized and repeating same content over and over. I did appreciate the author's candid opinions on the fake activities put on to tourists, compared to his opinions of real paranormal activity.

[Woo family · Rating 5 out of 5]

yee

wow it's so good. . . I found out things I never knew. I suggest getting this book :D .

[Lisa Trank · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm doing research for a book and this was helpful. I especially enjoyed the tie in with the wartime history of the HMS Queen Mary.

[Kristin Backus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read

[Ray Perdue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barely readable

[Janet Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, bought it when we were on there I think. I love a ghost story and the whole ship feels haunted. Wish we could go back... it was the trip of a lifetime.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I loved the personal stories! The tales of the little girl, Jackie, are fascinating. Well worth it. Not sure if I would be able to spend the night....

[Nancy Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grabbed this during our stay on QM. Good history of the ship in addition to the ghost stories.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Staying on her in the near future and thought this would be fun to read. The historical info is great the ghost stuff not so much.

[Cristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am on The Queen Mary right now

This is a good book to give you a heads up and some history. So far I've not seen any ghosts, but I'm prepared now! Great read if you plan to visit.8

[ɐnɥsoɾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. There was some history mixed in with the ghost stories. The Queen Mary is of interest to me greatly, as it is the ship my maternal grandmother came to America on following WWII.