Spooky Stories from the Swamp: Tales from the Florida Back Country

by Doug Alderson

Florida's famous swamps--from the Everglades to Mosquito Lagoon to Tate's Hell--serve as fitting backdrops for these chilling original stories. Maybe it's because they are often wet, shadowy places of wild beauty where few people dare to penetrate. They are havens for snakes, alligators, black bears, wildcats, and who knows what. People on the run have often hidden in swamps, while others have gotten lost in the watery expanses; the swamp can be a refuge or a nightmare. Mysterious things just happen in swamps. Maybe it's because they are often wet, shadowy places of wild beauty where few people dare to penetrate. They are havens for snakes, alligators, black bears, wildcats, and who knows what. People on the run have often hidden in swamps, while others have gotten lost in the watery expanses; the swamp can be a refuge or a nightmare. Where else can you find a ghost baby, or an angry specter, or a lost soul? How about a ghost who is obsessed with the ghost orchid, or an alluring snake woman? Throw in a skunk ape or two and you've got the ingredients for many entertaining hours sharing these stories around a campfire or reading them to yourself or out loud.

Genres: Folklore, Fiction, Ghost Stories

183 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

Doug Alderson prefers a kayak to a desk, hugs trees and friends, and loves observing alligators, manatees and other wildlife in their natural environment. Most of his 17 published books focus on the dynamic and quirky nature of his home state of Florida. They include America's Alligator, Wild Florida Waters, Waters Less Traveled, New Dawn for the Kissimmee River, Encounters with Florida's Endangered Wildlife and A New Guide to Old Florida Attractions. He has won six first place Royal Palm Literary awards for nonfiction books, three gold medals from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association, and several other state and national writing and photography awards. His latest book, Discovering Florida’s Coast, was the fourth runner up for 2023 book of the year by the Florida Writers Association. Additionally, his articles and photographs have been featured in numerous magazines such as Native Peoples, Sierra and Mother Earth News.

Doug received the inaugural Environmental Service Award by Paddle Florida in 2015 “for conspicuous commitment, unflagging dedication and love of Florida’s natural environment.” For several years, he coordinated Florida’s designated paddling trail system and helped to establish the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. He is currently the Outreach and Advocacy Director for Apalachicola Riverkeeper.

Reviews

[Anne Wi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Spooky Stories from the Swamp was fantastic. I've lived in Florida for 46 years. The only story I was familiar with was the one about the Skunk Ape. I'm friends on social media with the referenced researcher in the story. Names were changed in the story by the author for reasons listed in the book.
I really enjoyed the extra historical stuff that the author told us after each short story. Those were a mixed bag of me having prior knowledge. If you want great short historical haunts this is definitely the book for you.
I was so impressed with it that I'm going to check out other Florida books written by Doug Alderson.

[Dan E. Mongosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of very short folktales about the swamps and wilderness areas of old Florida. The majority of the stories are old tribal superstition tales from various Florida Indians folklore. The author writes most from a first person perspective as he either encountered the story himself or was told the tale from an elder storyteller. The stories themselves aren't very scary, unless you were a grade school kid camping out and sitting around a campfire making up ghost stories.
I did however like that each story was accompanied by an explanation of it's origin and historical setting.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories for kids or adults with a lot of Florida history and ecology throughout.

[Mrs. Scary Ghost · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was looking for actual scary stories. Title should be simply "Stories from the Swamp". The redeeming quality would be that the author gives you a little piece of Florida history per story.

[Kristal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories dealing with local Florida Indians and folklore, there is a huge amount of history packed into this little book. For instance, in 'Cudjoe's Refuge' the ghost of a slave that become lost in a huge swamp area known as Tate's Hell, happens to appear to a young man traveling through the area. Cudjoe wants the man to take him to the Negro Fort. Later in the story, the history of the fort is explained, a unique piece of history that I knew nothing about. Some other favorites: 'Nogoshomi' - supernatural bear-like creatures that travel between worlds, 'Snake Woman' - the eerie lengths one will go to for the sake of love, and 'The Haunted Book' - a story created by the author for his own daughter but struck a very personal note with myself. I will say that my dislike for Andrew Jackson rose considerably after reading this book!!

[Angela Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining

Found it to be a delightful read and good way to spend the afternoon. Highly recommended for those who love folklore