Lost Aboard: Tales of the Spirits on Star of India

by Theresa Halvorsen, S. Faxon

Star of India is the oldest active sailing vessel in the world at over 155 years old. But she's also one of the most haunted, a beacon to lost souls.

Join Faxon and Halvorsen as they share not only the history of this iron-hulled ship but the frightening spirit experiences from staff and volunteers. In this creative non-fiction piece you'll hear the stories of several ghosts including, Johnny the stowaway, now an active prankster, and the first captain, still pacing the deck, his bootsteps loud on dark nights.

In this ghost hunting adventure, prepare to dive into the lives of those lost aboard.

Genres: Horror

102 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2021

About the author

Theresa Halvorsen has never met a profanity she hasn’t enjoyed. She’s generally overly-caffeinated and at times, wine-soaked. The author of multiple spec-fiction works, including Warehouse Dreams and River City Widows, in addition to various short stories and non-fiction articles, Theresa wonders what sleep is. Because she didn’t have enough to do, she also started No Bad Books Press with S. Faxon, and edits for other spec-fiction writers. When she’s not writing, editing, publishing or podcasting with the Semi-Sages of the Pages, she’s commuting through San Diego traffic to her healthcare position. In whatever free time is left (ha!), Theresa enjoys board games, geeky conventions, and reading. Her life goal is to give "Oh-My-Gosh-This-Book-Is-So-Good!" happiness to her readers. She lives in Temecula with her amazing husband, occasionally her college-age twins, and the pets they’d promised to care for. Find her at www.theresaHauthor.com and on Twitter and Facebook.

Reviews

[Tamara Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

First - I loved the cover of this book. It caught my attention. If you enjoy 'real-life" reporting of ghost and spirit sightings and interactions this is a book for you. As a first-time visitor or a long-term San Diego, CA resident, you will enjoy learning more about the magnificent sailing ship, The Star of India, and the ghosts who call her home. Enjoy!

[Suzanne C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Halvorsen has done it again with a second book that sucks you into the action with little need for tiring exposition. She has a strong versatile voice that creates realistic characters, an intriguing plot line, descriptions that are just enough to allow visualization, and quiet comments on contemporary issues without being preachy or sanctimonious. All this wrapped up in a “I can’t put this book down” style of writing that hooks you and makes you yearn for more.
I should add – I’m not normally a fan of paranormal novels. I generally prefer science fiction and mysteries, but I was so impressed with Ms Halvorsen’s first book, “Warehouse Dreams” that I thought I would give this a try. I am very glad I did. She has a way of creating a world that is believable, complete, and fascinating that holds your attention from first word to last.
My only question is – when will she publish another? I can not wait!

[Tamara Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Halvorson's new book. It was a delightful, slightly spooky, paranormal romp. The characters are believable and lots of fun. Let's just say if I ever feel a red rage mist rising, I'll look around VERY carefully. If you like haunted house stories, this one is for you.

[Liz [reads books] · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a different genre from what I usually read. It was well written and drew me in from the very beginning. Such an interesting premise! 5 stars

[K.C. Grifant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of local ghost stories. Very creepy!

[Jeff Pollak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Aboard Review: Ghosts Ahoy!

Ever have an encounter with a ghost? No? Well, if you want to have one, make your way to the Star of India at the Maritime Museum in San Diego. More than one of them awaits you.

Lost Aboard, by S. Faxon and Theresa Halvorsen, will provide you with an introduction in advance of your visit. There’s some backstory about the ship, the lives and personalities of the ghosts before and after they lost theirs, and the varying reactions of those who encounter these spirits. Even if you don’t read this book in preparation for coming face-to-ghost with a member of the spirit world, you’ll find the book, which is a quick, short read, fascinating and well worth your time and money.

[Frances Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

River City Widows

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam: 🔥
POV: 1st Person (Tasia)
M/F
Stand Alone? Yes.

I would say this is more of a paranormal mystery and much less of a romance. Though it does have a romantic side story, that is not the focus of the book.

That being said…. Holy Haunted House! This book took me for a ride! It was an intriguing book with a great story that starts right away without a bunch of back story drama.

It grabs your attention from chapter one and doesn’t let it go until the very last word is read. The mystery of the ghost is fascinating and heart breaking and in the end totally shocking.

I really enjoyed the journey and think anyone who takes a chance on it and loves a good ghost story will absolutely love it too!

[Cornelia Feye · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lost Aboard" is a delightful combination of fictionalized ghost stories from the fabled Star of India, peppered with historical context of the ship's past carrying spices from India or passengers to New Zealand. It gives the reader an intimate insight what life was like on a three-mast sailing ship in previous centuries. The author S. Faxon worked on the Star of India as a docent and educator, which gives the stories added authenticity.

[Jenny Darlington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sucked in from the beginning and probably shouldn’t have read it at night, while home alone. The noises my house makes will make me think of this book for some time. I enjoyed the story and have a better appreciation for parapsychology.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. It's been years since I read a book involving the supernatural. This book gave me the chills a good thriller is suppose to.

[Caity · Rating 1 out of 5]

So many typos (including in the acknowledgements). So many character details that are duplicated in various chapters. I couldn’t tell you what the main character looks like- zero hints (but I can tell you that the stepdaughter has strawberry blonde hair as it’s unnecessarily mentioned several times). A hastily arranged yet wildly obvious ending.

[Justine Gower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Badly needs editing. The bones of a good ghost story are here. I think one of the most interesting parts is the epilogue, which acknowledges the post traumatic stress people who experience a haunting may later have to deal with.

[Gia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a genre I usually read, but wanted to try something spooky for the season. I thought because this was short, it would be a quick read. But, honestly, I thought it dragged on. I felt like half the book went by before the characters acknowledged there was a ghost. While the spooky factor was there, I just wasn't a big fan of the writing.

[Bailey Wilkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, this was a fairly good book. There are some slight storyline inconsistencies, but overall it was an engaging read. I would’ve liked to see the author use singular “they” in referring to Oak, and maybe refrained from the unnecessary comment of needing to “identify our genders” as it was never expanded on in terms of character development from our MC, and just left a sour taste in my mouth. Zero reason for that section to have such transphobic undertones. The review genuinely lost a star for that. It completely ripped me out of the storyline.

[Catherine Pomeroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maritime history and campy ghost tales makes for a fun romp that definitely piqued my interest in visiting this ship in San Diego harbor someday. The stories alternate between present day and past characters, tied together through their experiences on the Star of India. The diagram drawing of the ship was very helpful in following the stories, and the artwork on the front cover is exquisite. The occasional factual notes from the authors about their research was nicely done as well.

[Jen Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a visitor to the Star of India and personally standing on the boat at one point of time, I could relate to the discriminations of the layout of the ship. This was a very interesting and good read on learning about the paranormal activity aboard it. I didn't feel like a ghost story but more as an educational historical story of learning what happened once upon a time. Highly recommend it!

[Laura Ruetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely engaging read

I loved reading about the experiences people have had on the ship as well as the history and the people who sailed on it.