Eerie Florida: Chilling Tales from the Panhandle to the Keys

by Mark Muncy Kari Schultz

The author of Freaky Florida shares a unique guide to the state’s strangest attractions—from Florida Bigfoot to lost cemeteries, UFO sightings and more. Most people know Florida as the land of endless sunny beaches, Disney World, and NASA shuttle launches. But the state is also home to many hidden mysteries, eerie legends, and tales of bizarre creatures. In Eerie Florida, author Mark Muncy and photographer Kari Schultz provide a unique guide to these truly unique sites across the Sunshine State. The Everglades is home to the elusive Skunk Ape—also known as Florida Bigfoot—a strange bipedal creature recognized by its odor. An uncanny doll reputed to have a life of its own greets visitors in a Florida Keys museum. An ancient monster is reported to roam the rivers in the northeast corners of the state, and in South Florida, a man built Coral Castle—also known as America's Stonehenge—via mysterious means. Join Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz as they uncover the history behind the state's creepiest stories and unusual locations.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Paranormal, Ghosts

162 pages, Hardcover

Published September 4, 2017

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun history lesson but didn’t feel that the research was thorough or the material comprehensive. Couldn’t figure out if the author was going for history or spooky stories. Got through, but after living in FL for 4 years, I know there are SO many more eerie things, this book just scratched the surface.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun story to read to learn about the different stories floating around my home state. Some of the stories lost my interest, and I have already forgotten them. Others had me laughing about the tales and thinking to myself 'I could see this happening around there ( or here). Some tales you automatically think ' Ya that's not true or that could have never happened'. I like that the author included pictures of the places he has been along with pictures provided by the museum. Plus, it's always good to learn more about where you come from. I would read another book like this if the author was to write one.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really fun quick read. Each story was very different and I greatly appreciated that. Some were more history heavy, others more paranormal and others more local folklore. Some were a grand mix of the three. Obvs I liked more than others. It was a great taste of Florida's quirky legends and tales and history.

[Emmanuel Nevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy how this book takes the history aspect of all the stories and gives you the possible reasons why yhe story exists as well as sightings and reports.

[Michelle Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this because I liked another book on the same topic. I didn't enjoy it as much because of the lack of story embellishment, which helps put you in a story. This book tries to keep to non-fiction, with more facts than embellishment.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little read, but I wish it was formatted a little nicer. It could've used more editing, but I did enjoy reading it and would absolutely recommended it!!!

[Celeste Hansel]

paper

[Robert Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed books of this type. Eerie Florida is far and away the best I have ever read. Muncy and Schultz don't blindly accept every strange story as fact (the way most people who write this kind of book do). They show a heathy level of skepticism, often giving mundane explanations for the supposedly "paranormal" occurrences. At the same time they are willing to consider the possibility of some of the things they talk about having "paranormal" causes, or, in the case of some cryptic creatures, the possibility, however slight, of them existing. While covering the stories of the strange they give a great deal of excellent Florida history. Perhaps the best thing about Eerie Florida is that Muncy and Schultz, unlike most people who write books such as this, have a sense of humor, making even the most questionable things in the book easy to read, if not any more believable.

[Ginny Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book is overall okay, I was really disappointed that most of the stories centered around the greater Tampa-St Petersburg area, where the authors live. They did just cursory glances to the rest of state, COMPLETELY omitting southwest Florida and much of eastern south Florida. They should have just written the book about their hometown area and left out the rest of the state, renaming it, also.

[KD · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised when I read this because the stories are more like little history stories than ghost stories. Each chapter is a different short story about an event in Florida, and then they will talk about a few ghost sightings. I still liked it though. It was a tiny glimpse of Florida history and folk stories.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good concept, but a poor execution. It’s more of a history lesson than eerie or spooky stories. The research wasn’t very thorough and most of the stories are in the Tampa/St Pete area except maybe 3 or 4 just so he could claim he covered the whole state.

[Tina Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems that almost every county here in Florida has a chilling tale to tell.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the 2nd book better.

[Laura 🦦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst the writing style wasn’t always mine, I enjoyed the collection of stories and it gave me a weird little longing for a place I visited only once

[Irene Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the combination of history and scary storytelling. Learned a lot!

[Muriel Kilmartin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little book. Fun little tales about the dark side of the sunshine state.

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief quick book, some of the stories could have been longer.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting read. I can think of a few additional stories for a part 2 book.

[Gabo · Rating 4 out of 5]

its a nice quick read. As a florida resident i knew many of the storiea but still learned some new ones. Already add some new locations to visit on our next staycation.

[Danny Guynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Florida history so add spooky tales and I’m totally in. I was able to meet the authors and they are wonderful people.

[Jessica Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful series. love all the books. Kari is awesome.

[Mario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun!

As a lifelong Floridian I greatly enjoyed this tour of Florida’s weird and bizarre stories and places. I look forward to more in time. Thank you!

[Brandi Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read! Very interesting info on all the places I love to visit in Florida. Now I know a lot more!

[No One Is Here · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series! 😊