Haunted Lighthouses: Phantom Keepers, Ghostly Shipwrecks, and Sinister Calls from the Deep

by Ray Jones

Lighthouses and ghosts are two popular passions. Melded together by master storyteller and lighthouse expert Ray Jones, these tales of spirited lights are guaranteed to grab the attention of all readers. As an added bonus, practical information is given for those who wish to visit the featured lighthouses for themselves . . . if they dare.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal, Horror, History

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Amanda]

Ok, I'm a skeptic and I don't believe in ghosts, but still found this book utterly delightful with the short stories of the ghosts that supposedly haunted these lighthouses. I especially got excited when I read about the 2 1/2 lighthouses that I have actually been too. (You can't actually get to Tillamook Rock, but I've been to the lookout so 1/2 :).) The only "bad" thing? I've had the Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald stuck in my head all week!

[Sofia]

Need to go back to my haunted lighthouse in Maine so bad

[Katie]

This was fine. I wanted something a bit more spooky than I got, considering most chapters were at least 80% about the lighthouse itself, with a little ghost stuff tacked on at the end. I also found it aggravating that sometimes in the middle of all the more factual information (when it was built, how tall it was, etc.) there would be information that seems like it must be based on local legend (once a keeper lived there who was murdered by his wife (with no other identifying details or dates or names)) but without stating that the information came from local legend. But sometimes it did. It was pretty inconsistent.

[Carol Cassada]

Lighthouses are considered one of the most haunted places in the world. From the east to the west, these historic monuments have stories dripping with tragedy.

The author has compiled a selection of lighthouses and their chilly haunting tales. Most of the tales have to do with sadness, but there are some sweet moments when you read about dedicated lighthouse keepers who still keep watch.

Some of the lighthouse stories I already knew, but there were a few that were new to me.

Aside from a few grammar errors, this was an intriguing read.

[William Barney]

“Haunted Lighthouses” was an easy to read and very short book. With that said, I wish the editor would’ve added photos of the haunted lighthouses that were featured in the book. Adding a photo, even if it was black and white, would’ve made the reader truly imagine these lighthouses were haunted and add credibility to the ghost stories. This book had that missing and although many of the stories were interesting especially the South, Great Lakes and West sections of the book, not having pictures in the book sort of defeated the purpose of the book 🥺

[Scott DuJardin]

This isn't supposed to be horror - it's classified as a guide book.
Pretty much what I expected - a nice guide to 28 lighthouses said to be haunted. A little history on each, and on the event(s) that may have led to their haunting. I agree with an earlier reviewer that the book would have been greatly improved with photos of the lighthouses, and a map for each section showing where they are. But as a lighthouse enthusiast, I enjoyed the read.

[Lee Edwards]

Excellent collection of haunting tales connected to 28 lighthouses in four regions of the US, with additional tales provided in the first appendix. I liked the appendices also providing terminology and where these lighthouses are located to go see them for yourselves.
My only reason for giving this four stars as opposed to five was the lack of any photographs in the book.

[ANNETTE L.]

I love ghost stories. This was not the scare your pants off type of ghostly hauntings. I really loved the way the author uses the history of the lighthouses to explain the hauntings that go with them. It is a fascinating read.

[Melissa]

It was interesting although I didn't find it particularly frightening. It could have been better. The author didn't seem to think that the stories were true...at least it seemed that way. I'm surprised there aren't any haunted lighthouses in Illinois, either.

[Leslie Jackson]

I love lighthouses and don’t really believe in ghosts but do think lighthouses are very mysterious. I loved all the facts about how each lighthouse came into existence. And reading about the keepers and surrounding events. Very interesting. Makes me long to search out more lighthouses.

[Marco Sanchez (Dragondarkness30)]

Finished

[Judy]

Okay book, a lot of history of lighthouses. Some of the ghost stories are believable but not my usual type of book!

[Kris Benitez]

The book was easy to read in small bites. I enjoyed the history and the stories, but I did wish for more stories. Very enjoyable as a beach house read!

[Nancy]

If you like lighthouses and their history, this is your book for sure. Read on…

[Becky Bringewatt]

There was a lot of history in this book, and I enjoyed that even more that the spooky events. I liked the organizational structure of the book, and the research was well-done.

[Kathy]

Being a lover of lighthouses & the ocean, I truly enjoyed this book! I loved reading about the hauntings & history of some of the most haunted lighthouses in the.country, especially the ones i have visited. The author added his sense of humor and made for a very interesting & informative read.

[Kayla Worrall]

Honestly did not finish the book, as if was not all that engaging save for a few of the stories at the beginning. I ended at page 41 in part one before I called it quits.

I may give this book a shot again in the future, but as for now I will drop it.

[Robert]

Most of the stories from different locations seemed very similar. It didn't keep my attention well.