Fingerprints and Phantoms: True Tales of Law Enforcement Encounters with the Paranormal and the Strange

by Paul Rimmasch

In a profession dominated by logic, law, evidence, and science, are there some things you can't explain? Join a veteran crime scene investigator exploring 26 chilling experiences spanning two decades. His true stories will leave you wondering if it is a criminal, or something else, going bump in the night. Meet a young girl who receives a visit from her mother...the day after her mother is murdered. Find out whether spirits follow those investigating their deaths home . . . and then stay. Discover whether it is possible for someone who is not dead to be haunting his own office, and investigate a child's toy telephone acting as a link to the other side. Can you believe in something incredible? This collection of strange and frightening tales is perfect for any campfire experience!

Genres: Paranormal, Nonfiction, Crime

112 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2018

About the author

Paul Rimmasch was born and reared in the Salt Lake Valley. He graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminalistics and a minor in Photography. Paul has spent the last twenty years working as a Crime Scene Investigator for Weber-Metro CSI and is active in Forensic Science education and Law Enforcement training. He lives in Ogden Utah with his wife and three children and is an avid hiker and gardener.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book received from NetGalley

This book is one of my guilty pleasures; I have a thing for "true" ghost stories. This book was a bit different than what I usually read though. I like to find ghost books in an area that I have been to and read up on the folklore. This book, however, looks at many different areas in and around Utah. It is also from the point of view of various law enforcement members who have seen things that just can't be explained while doing their jobs. I enjoyed reading about the different apparitions and unusual occurrences that were discussed; the plus was that I don't think I have heard any of these stories mentioned in other books. It's always nice to hear/read something new in this genre. This book would be a great one to pick up especially now that it has hit October and the "spooky" time of year.

[Rebecca Elson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet's website on 10/22/2018.

It’s hard to reinvent the wheel when it comes to “true tales of the paranormal”. And I’m not here to tell you that “Finger Prints and Phantoms: True Tales of Law Enforcement Encounters with the Paranormal and Strange” by Paul Rimmasch does that. However, I’m happy to tell you all the wonderful that it is.

“Finger Prints and Phantoms” has loads, 26 to be exact, of assorted stories of a paranormal theme. Rimmasch, a crime scene investigator by day, has a real knack for storytelling. It seems like he’d be a good guy to join for a beer. Now although his book doesn’t reinvent the wheel, Rimmasch’s background, and access to the police, does allow him to give the reader a unique perspective on the day to day life and workings of a police officer. And THAT was just as interesting, if not even more, than the stories contained within.

If you enjoy tales of the paranormal, and would like a bit of insight into police life, I would recommend checking out “Finger Prints and Phantoms” by Paul Rimmasch.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and fun to read book about paranormal and crime investigations.
It's well written and I liked the different stories about unusual or paranormal occurrences.
Recommended if you like ghost and paranormal stories.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

As a fan of reading mysteries, paranormal stories, and the occasional true-crime stories, this novel will satisfy your reading craving for a bit of all three. Described as a "collection of law enforcement folklore," Fingerprints and Phantoms is a short, 112 page novel that you can binge read on a snowy day, or a sunny one for that matter. Each chapter is a short true ghostly story that has happened either to Mr. Rimmasch or someone he knows, making you wonder what really goes on after a crime was committed and what goes bump in the night.

Mr. Rimmasch is a crime scene investigator for Weber-Metro CSI, which piqued my interest, as I have an interest in forensics, though my background is more in psychology than biology/chemistry. While Fingerprints and Phantoms did not specify the scientific background of ghosts and hauntings, it does have a scientific-like method to each story, whether it is describing the evidence, examination, or the technology used. What I really love about his style of writing these short ghostly stories is that he provides insight to those who work in law enforcement and crime scenes - I learned quite a bit more than I expected to, and will most likely go and research this week. Mr. Rimmasch also provides a bit about the background of his career, as well as the ones of those whose stories he tells, so that we really have an idea of what happened at that point in time.

Each chapter was riveting and I finished the novel within a few hours. Some stories were sad, others were creepy, but all will keep your interest and hope that there will be another novel coming soon. I highly recommend giving Fingerprints and Phantoms a read, especially if you are in for a bit of a scare!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suspect the marketing strategy of this book might result in disappointment for a lot of potential readers. It seems to me that the title, blurb, and the cover all strive to give the impression of a chilling expose of paranormal happenings. Such is not the case.

Most of the stories here fall firmly into urban myth or folklore territory. Something good to tell around the campfire or with a flashlight held under the chin during an unexpected power outage. The kind of story that is "absolutely, positively true because it happened to my friend's brother's roommate's cousin." Fun in the moment with no real follow up.

About halfway through the book the author changes it up a bit by giving more set-up to each story, framing them around the experiences he's had as a longtime member of a CSI team. These fact vs. fictional perceptions really save the book from being just a tedious retread of run-of-the-mill ghost stories. It's those sections that really come alive and make it interesting.

This is an okay book. If you want some old school ghost stories told in a milder way it might be right up your alley.

There is no foul language. With the exception of some brief crime scene descriptions there is nothing particularly graphic. Suitable for all but the most sensitive reader.

***Thanks to the author, the publisher, and to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this title.

[Heather Daughrity · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I expected going in to this book: real ways that unexplained phenomena had helped solve crimes. What I got: what amounts to a series of strange (but true!) short sketches of supposedly supernatural incidents, reported by members of law enforcement...and others.

I wanted nonfiction, some gritty true crime mixed with the paranormal. And I was kind of miffed when that wasn't what I got.

But I kept reading, and as I grudgingly let go of my expectations and lightened up a bit, I figured 'oh well' and just enjoyed the book for what it is.

You'll find no actual cases here, no procedurals, no real evidence submitted. And if you're looking to be scared this is probably not the place for you. Although I will admit there were a few bits that gave me goosebumps, those bits were few and far between. Lack of goosebumps aside, the little stories were generally interesting and often even humorous.

Stories of mysterious mists in graveyards, phantom voices, and yes, suspects who turn into dogs fill the hundred or so pages of this little collection. In the end I got a kick out of many of the tales, though I still really want that book about crimes actually being solved with the aid of the supernatural.

So either some LEO needs to get busy writing it, or some ghosts need to get busy helping.

[Paul Franco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in a folksy downhome style, this is a collection of stories purported to be encounters with ghosts and such, although many lack any. Much of the first chapter has nothing more than “feelings” backing up the title. I’d hoped it would get better in that respect, but in the first third or so the most we get is a haunted hotel elevator.
The best chapter was the one about the shape-shifting dogs of South El Lay. It also seems to be the only unexplained phenomenon that didn’t happen in Utah.
One story involving a Halloween-laden murder might have been creepy due to the surroundings, but also had no paranormal trappings to it. So why is it in here? Similarly there’s a story about a woman who died for no apparent reason—at the time; autopsy findings are not mentioned—on a sidewalk after a shopping trip that cost the most famous three-digit number around. That superstition is the most ghostly thing in the story. It feels like cheating; it annoys me.
It isn’t till the end that the author mentions this is more of a book on folklore than actual paranormal. I will agree that his intention was not to prove ghosts exist, but after reading the title and subtitle, it seems disingenuous.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

I really like what Rimmasch was attempting to do with this book. Unfortunately, the issue is more about execution than anything else. It's not that his approach is too scientific or anything like that. It's more that, for a book that is ostensibly meant to be like sitting around a campfire telling stories, there are a lot of tangents. I have some sympathy for it - I have a terrible tendency when I'm telling a story to tell too much backstory or give too many details that aren't necessarily crucial to the story itself. And that is essentially the impression I got here. It wasn't quite fluid, and had the effect of feeling like a number of facts strung together with some odd (and sometimes quite funny) occurrences, both paranormal and perfectly normal. The overall feeling was disjointed. As a book that looks into the culture and experiences in law enforcement, it's a fantastic peep into that world. As a book of stories, it falls a bit short. That said, I still recommend it. It has plenty enough of interest in it to keep you reading - just curb your expectations (even when he explicitly states them) that it will feel like comfortable story-telling.

[Brave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested and received this book for free from Netgalley.

This book calls itself "more a collection of folklore" and alludes to these stories being more like campfire stories than actual "scary" or "explain-away-with-logic" stories. It does fall somewhere in the middle, or at least it did for me. Because I can kind of be a giant chicken, ymmv.

That said, I found this compulsively readable and really enjoyable. The author's voice comes through in the stories really clearly, but I think this works in the book's favour. It's like being told stories by a very friendly acquaintance or stranger. The fact that this takes the viewpoint of and shares story from those involved in law enforcement adds a certain level of interest as well, or at least it did for me, someone who watches Criminal Minds entirely too much.

I consider this a solid (and quick) 4-star read, and would be interested to read more book like this in future. (Even just more stories from those in law enforcement, without the ghosty bits.)

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. It's a bit of a slow read, but it's still good. I like the supernatural, and I like cop work, so this book seemed perfect for me.

Not all the stories are supernatural. Some are just every day happenings that seem supernatural at first (if that makes sense). Some are just normal tales. Not all stories come from the authors point of view. A lot of the stories come from colleagues of the author. They are all interesting stories though. Some had me laughing, and some had me scratching my head wondering if that could really happen since they were spooky stories.

I would recommend this book, but I'd say it's better for as a book to read while sitting on the toilet or waiting on a train/cab/friend/etc. The stories are all short and easy to read.

(Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this for free in exchange for an honest review).

[Valerie - Cats Luv Coffee Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frightening? Not really. Strange? ...possibly.

I think the blurb is horribly misleading. I wish that the forward would have been the blurb for Fingerprints and Phantoms instead of what the publisher put on the back. I think it does a better job of summarizing and expressing the feel of the book.

The forward from the editor reads: “The author’s light hearted insights into and experience in the world of crime scene investigation make this read doubly fascinating. He is a sort of James Herriot for the CSI world.” It also states that the reports “make few claims” and “sometimes they poke fun at themselves.”

Read the rest of the review Cats Luv Coffee

[Kelly Clingman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a believe in science. I’m also a believer of ghosts. I also have a background in theater where theater ghost stories are plentiful. Being a Theater major, Forensic Investigator and Evidence Technician, I enjoyed the stories in this book. Rimmasch writes from a law enforcement point of view but his stories are accessible to almost anyone. Some are light and a little humorous, some a little creepy, and some truly a little scary. The stories grow in fear factor and definitely pique my curiosity. This book doesn’t try to convince one that these stories are true. Instead they are written as one would tell a story around a campfire. And many of the stories just might sound eeeily similar to something you yourself experienced or heard a story similar to the one you are reading.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps not the best collection of spooky stories - some amount to little more than somebody had a strange feeling in a spooky place - but the writing was good anyhow. He weaves together factual information regarding the job, some humorous stories, and some spookier ones. It's a light read, and quick. Don't expect hard evidence, even though it's from an evidence-devoted career field. This book is about the fact that unexplained things happen to everyone - the rational and logical among us included.

[Vnunez-Ms_luv2read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book about cops and the supernatural. The book was slow in some spots, but it was an interesting read. The stories are from various people which is nice as it gives perspectives from more than one person. If supernatural and cops is something you like to read about, you should enjoy this book. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting collection of paranormal and unusual occurrences, witnessed by people with ties to the law enforcement community. It is a typical book of this type, but all of the accounts are subtle and believable. There are none of the outlandish experiences so many paranormal investigators rely on these days, which definitely adds to the credibility of the accounts.

[Isis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the title, I thought the ghost stories contained within would be far creepier than they were. It was a fun read, but not quite what I expected.

[Pamela Deitsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author signed copy when he was at our book club

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and fast, spine-tingling read. The author does a great job of retelling the stories and not bogging them down with his opinion.

[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fingerprints and Phantoms by Paul Rimmasch is a fascinating look behind the scenes of criminal investigations, and the weirdness that may ensue. There are stories here of the clearly paranormal, stories of mistaken identity, and stories of the just plain weird and unusual. Each chapter is its own story, relayed in true storyteller fashion. While Rimmasch recounts the paranormal or quasi-paranormal aspects, he also shares more technical aspects of the job, which I enjoyed just as much. I love talking to officers about the unusual things they've encountered.

I adored Rimmasch's witty, engaging style. This was a fun read, less technical, and more simple sharing of the fascinating and inexplicable things that these techs and officers came across. This is a perspective I haven't found in all the many books our family has on folklore and the paranormal. 'Who Ya Gonna Call’ was priceless. It was very clever of the officers to handle the situation by humouring the lady and 'busting’ the ghosts. Also, the fact he was handed a baby owl while picking up a snack.

I appreciate Rimmasch’s candor in discussing the gallows humour inherent in this work. I started my studies in forensics, and can definitely appreciate such humour. Hospital workers and EMTs have similar (been there, too). You can't face trauma day after day without that humour. You'd go insane, and burn out quick. But it isn't something commonly discussed because the average joe might freak out at the perceived inappropriateness. I love that he pokes gentle fun at the absurd timelines of CSI shows, as well as their other unrealistic aspects. It's true. The work is not that excitingly action packed, nor are the cases solved in a day, as they so often seem to be on these shows. Don't get me wrong! I love CSI, and similar shows, but I'm well aware of the truth behind the flash.

If you enjoy folklore type books of the strange and unusual, Fingerprints and Phantoms is well worth checking out!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Schiffer Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.