Echoes of a Haunting: A House in the Country

by Clara M. Miller

In the first place, the house doesnt even look haunted. With these words, a different world opens up to readers as it did some twenty nine years ago for an unsuspecting family from Buffalo, New York. Echoes of a Haunting traces the steps of this normal family whose life turned upside down when they moved to a disturbed or haunted house in Southern New York State in 1970. It is told in diary form in order to bring a semblance of order to the events. At first, the family tended to discount the happenings and come up with some rather creative explanations. Soon, however, the explanations began more and more to assume the form of rationalizations. Before long, they were forced to admit that there was no natural cause for what was occurring daily both in the house and in the surrounding area. Reluctantly, the members of the family began to reach out to others. In some cases, they encountered scorn and even a strange, unwarranted, hostility as though the whole panoply of phenomena were their fault. It was a very bad atmosphere in which to raise a family. Once the story became public, help was offered by psychics and clergy. In some cases this help even brought a temporary relief but the trouble never disappeared for long. Strange accidents, one almost fatal, happened on a regular basis. Figures were seen, both human and otherwise. In one case a house was seen where no house had existed for many, many years. Disturbing personality changes emerged, even resulting in a transformation of eye color from brown to blue. The toll taken on the emotional and physical health of the family soon became too much to endure and they were forced to abandon the house in 1974. Hopefully, this book will cause skeptics to think again to avoid a similar shock to the senses. The family had a rude awakening. Its never easy finding out that you cant always trust your senses, that nothing is really impossible and that there is a breaking point for everyone. Whether the reader is a died-in-the-wool skeptic, a searcher, a believer or somewhere in between, I hope everyone reads these pages with an open mind. It is all true!
Echoes of a Haunting has recently been chosen as a textbook for a Masters Degree Program in Parapsychology at Texas Christian University. The Professor teaching the course, Dr. Timothy Barth, has stated that its the best documented case of a haunting he has ever read.
The house is currently being investigated by Paranormal researchers who have taken startling photos of "energy orbs" and strange colored lights in the area. Hopefully, these photos will be available soon on the Authors website.

Genres: Horror, Nonfiction

183 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1999

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, Very Creepy! Another one of those "leave the lights" on book. I was pretty well glued to every page - this true haunting book is really scary. Leave the lights on and settle in to be spooked!

[Annie Castaneda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book! It was to the point but yet informative and creepy! I wish I could have read more happenings that went on but it was good nonetheless. This reads like a diary and I didn't mind one bit.

[Mack · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is fine. If you like paranormal/creepy stories, this might be worth picking up. I read it after seeing Stephanie Harlowe’s video on the Hinsdale House, and honestly, I liked that more.

[naoual]

This felt more like a memoir and I liked it!

[Danielle Reese · Rating 3 out of 5]

ooooOOOoooo booga booga booga

[michelle cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe

This is one of the first "true" haunted stories I actually believe. I think the writer's skepticism and humor made it more believable.

[Lynn E · Rating 1 out of 5]

*may contain spoilers by accident*

One word. Ugh.
For those who said this is a good book, I’d hate to see what a bad book is to you.
As a journalist and writer, there are some basic things you follow when writing a story. That is a very clear story, which this really doesn’t have. I’m barely a quarter of the way through, and I cannot keep track of anything because the storyline jumps so badly, its like a 4 yr old is telling the story. There is zero continuity, far too much building up of a feeling that we can’t get, because it’s one dimensionally written.
I have lived in haunted houses, had multiple paranormal experiences, and I can tell you I would outline my story with a background, family history, then get to the story. I would not start with a story, jump back to the beginning, then jump ahead to the end, then back again. This not only loses your reader, it makes them wonder what you were drinking when writing this book. It’s very obvious that there was no clear idea—just experiences that were likely jotted in a journal, and that’s what I’m reading. There is far too much narrative and zero action, things are poorly described (a crawl space but an attic? Which is it?) Poor grammar which should have been corrected by an editor, lacking punctuation, the list goes on.

At this rate, everything that has occurred in the story is explained by science. I have yet to hear of anything that merits paranormal experience. Does that mean the person did not experience them? No, not at all, but the way it’s told, it sure doesn’t. That’s because the writer is imposing their personal feelings into the story rather than relaying the information and painting a picture. Writing is about show and tell. This is tell only, and badly.

I’ve seen information written about this house online, in paranormal studies. Oddly enough, alleged evidence went missing/is reported to have never had any. Hmmmm. That’s not suspicious. Obviously there was bad energy on the land. That’s obvious. I had to find that out from a YouTube video! The author never sections her book about her family life first, the history of the house then their experiences! We start with them looking at the house, then go back to where she is today and where her kids are at, then back to when she got married...omg. I’m honestly surprised an publishing company printed this!

I may change my review when I am done, but right now I am beyond frustrated with the fact this story reads like a bowl of alphagetti—yes, gobble-de-goop.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely 200 pages and now I’m obsessed with this house, but not necessarily the writing…I feel like, compared to other haunted stories and houses, this story is so well documented with historical facts and documents that it makes every account even more feasible.

We’re actually heading to this house to stay overnight tomorrow night and because of this book, and the heavily witnessed events that took place- I’m nervous 😟

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick read about a family that unsuspectingly buys a house in the country that is rife with spirits. Supposedly a true story, a quick google search pulls dozens of stories and videos to back it all up. This is not written by a skilled author but rather its a narrative explaining what she experienced. Entertaining and quick read.

[Marilyn Sewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read! Clara is a brilliant story teller and I really enjoyed the way she recalled her experiences, especially as it is written through the eyes of a wife and mother. I like the way she reflected on how their time in the house affected her family and their feelings and thought processes through the whole thing.

[Samantha Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. I love first hand accounts from people. Hoping to tour this house sometime when visiting my dad who lives about 45 minutes away from the house.

[Madhuri Vairapandi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not scary and very boring.

[Racquel Vathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read for sure

Very interesting read. Going to watch all the videos on YouTube now. And read the other books involving this house

[Gena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not saying I'm giving it four stars because I completely believe all of it. I enjoyed her writing and the overall depiction of events, including descriptions of people involved, the scenery, and the diary format. I would read anything else the author writes because I like her writing style and personality. Good read, wished it were longer. Creepy stuff.

[Bridget Holbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good

It was written differently than other true haunting stories i've read but i did enjoy this book. This family had some really scary things happen to them while living in this house. This haunting book is unique and quite interesting.

[David W]

i do recomed this book for anyone that belives in ghosts or the supernautal that wants to read about a true haunting of a family thats been chased out of there home . this is a great read worth the time

[mousecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite book in the true haunting genre (not that I believe in it, it’s a fun setting). It’s different with original, interesting and creepy paranormal experiences. Creative writing with skepticism and humour in a diary format. Wanted to read it in one sitting as I didn’t want to put it down.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better "true" haunted house stories I've read, and I've read many. This one creeped me out pretty good.

[Yulisbeth Quijano · Rating 5 out of 5]

me gusta demasiado