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Spirits Behind Bars : The Haunting of Shepton Mallet Prison and the Skirrid Inn
For hundreds of years, weary travelers have gathered at the fireside of the Skirrid Inn, one of the oldest pubs in Wales. For generations, landlords at the inn left a cup of ale outside overnight as an offering to ward off dark spirits. Upstairs, judges once held court, and it is claimed that more than 180 convicted criminals were hanged on the Skirrid's main staircase, where an executioner's noose still dangles as a grisly reminder.
Crossing the border into England brings up to Shepton Mallet, a prison with an equally dark history. Built in 1625, HMP Shepton Mallet was used by the US military during World War II to incarcerate their most hardened felons. Eighteen American soldiers were hanged in the execution chamber. Small wonder it is reputed to be Britain's most haunted prison, replete with stories of restless spirits and a phantom lady in white.
Join author Richard Estep, investigator MJ Dickson, and a team of fellow paranormal researchers as they go behind bars (in more ways than one) to uncover the mysteries of these infamous haunted locations for themselves.
Crossing the border into England brings up to Shepton Mallet, a prison with an equally dark history. Built in 1625, HMP Shepton Mallet was used by the US military during World War II to incarcerate their most hardened felons. Eighteen American soldiers were hanged in the execution chamber. Small wonder it is reputed to be Britain's most haunted prison, replete with stories of restless spirits and a phantom lady in white.
Join author Richard Estep, investigator MJ Dickson, and a team of fellow paranormal researchers as they go behind bars (in more ways than one) to uncover the mysteries of these infamous haunted locations for themselves.
- GenresHorror
Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2022
24 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Richard Estep
72 books198 followersI'm a 48-year-old child who has no plans to ever actually grow up.
I make my living as a paramedic, clinical educator, for a busy hospital system and work as a street medic in a 911 system.
In my free time, I serve as the director of the Boulder County Paranormal Research Society, and investigate claims of haunted properties, people, and objects on both sides of the Atlantic. I love to read, particularly SF/Fantasy, history and historical fiction, the paranormal, and basically anything that piques my interest. I appear on the TV shows Haunted Hospitals, Paranormal 911, Paranormal Night Shift, Haunted Case Files, and several others.
I am an avid video gamer, table-top gamer, and love to build Lego. My wife and I are the proud humans of five adopted rescue cats and one smelly but adorable dog.
I make my living as a paramedic, clinical educator, for a busy hospital system and work as a street medic in a 911 system.
In my free time, I serve as the director of the Boulder County Paranormal Research Society, and investigate claims of haunted properties, people, and objects on both sides of the Atlantic. I love to read, particularly SF/Fantasy, history and historical fiction, the paranormal, and basically anything that piques my interest. I appear on the TV shows Haunted Hospitals, Paranormal 911, Paranormal Night Shift, Haunted Case Files, and several others.
I am an avid video gamer, table-top gamer, and love to build Lego. My wife and I are the proud humans of five adopted rescue cats and one smelly but adorable dog.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 14, 2024
One of the guys involved in the research is a paramedic which actually can be useful in such an investigation. The group is staying at a place in order to check out a nearby prison. It's Badmin Jail where around 180 people were hung over the years. There's the guy known as the hanging judge who was a cruel bully and didn't end up nicely.
The group stays at an inn during the day and then goes to the prison at night. They have various pieces of equipment but run into a problem with batteries draining. Oddly enough, this is the exact same thing that happens on Skinwalker Ranch where the batteries in their equipment sometimes just drain for no good reason.
The possibility is that something, either paranormal or along the lines of UFOs, uses that energy for some reason, but the exact reason is not known.
They do use an ouija board and take precautions although I'm one of the people who believes that you should never use an ouija board no matter how many precautions you use.
Those executed include two woman accused of being witches, one of which was burned at the stake. The prison also included children. The history of the prison is given including what it was used for by different groups over the years.
This included U.S. and British servicemen who were executed for their crimes.
Techniques used include the 'human pendulum' and the 'Estes method.' Spirit boxes are also used.
The book covers what they heard and experienced at the prison. One good point the book makes is not to accept just everything you see or hear as actually being paranormal in nature. Look first for a reasonable explanation.
To me it sounds like an absolutely fascinating place to go at night. The book presents a fairly well-balanced approach in the investigation.
The group stays at an inn during the day and then goes to the prison at night. They have various pieces of equipment but run into a problem with batteries draining. Oddly enough, this is the exact same thing that happens on Skinwalker Ranch where the batteries in their equipment sometimes just drain for no good reason.
The possibility is that something, either paranormal or along the lines of UFOs, uses that energy for some reason, but the exact reason is not known.
They do use an ouija board and take precautions although I'm one of the people who believes that you should never use an ouija board no matter how many precautions you use.
Those executed include two woman accused of being witches, one of which was burned at the stake. The prison also included children. The history of the prison is given including what it was used for by different groups over the years.
This included U.S. and British servicemen who were executed for their crimes.
Techniques used include the 'human pendulum' and the 'Estes method.' Spirit boxes are also used.
The book covers what they heard and experienced at the prison. One good point the book makes is not to accept just everything you see or hear as actually being paranormal in nature. Look first for a reasonable explanation.
To me it sounds like an absolutely fascinating place to go at night. The book presents a fairly well-balanced approach in the investigation.
October 18, 2022
Mr. Estep does it again with 2 phenomena investigations.
Its so wonderful to read his books and imagine myself right there investigating right along with him. He definitely knows how to bring the investigation to you. He makes it seem like you're a part of it, seeing what he seed, hearing what he hears and feeling what he feels with his words. His investigations are top notch as is his writing. He's definitely my favorite paranormal investigator and hauntings author. I can't wait for another investigation!! I wish he could do one with either Ghost Hunters or Ghost Brothers!! I think Zak of Ghost Adventures would be too much on the dramatic side for him. These were 2 phenomenal investigations wrapped up in one great book!!!
Its so wonderful to read his books and imagine myself right there investigating right along with him. He definitely knows how to bring the investigation to you. He makes it seem like you're a part of it, seeing what he seed, hearing what he hears and feeling what he feels with his words. His investigations are top notch as is his writing. He's definitely my favorite paranormal investigator and hauntings author. I can't wait for another investigation!! I wish he could do one with either Ghost Hunters or Ghost Brothers!! I think Zak of Ghost Adventures would be too much on the dramatic side for him. These were 2 phenomenal investigations wrapped up in one great book!!!
October 19, 2022
Another great book!
Another great book! Richard never fails to give me a good read. I would like to suggest if possible if he could include pictures of locations so that we could the places and things he describes. But, even without photos I will still buy his books.
Another great book! Richard never fails to give me a good read. I would like to suggest if possible if he could include pictures of locations so that we could the places and things he describes. But, even without photos I will still buy his books.
October 21, 2022
Spirits
Another amazing book by Richard. I have read all of his paranormal books 3-4 times each. Never get tired of them. Waiting for the next one.
Another amazing book by Richard. I have read all of his paranormal books 3-4 times each. Never get tired of them. Waiting for the next one.
October 31, 2022
Spirits behind bars
Awesome book! I am never disappointed when I read his books. I am always waiting for the next one to come out. Now I'm waiting again til the next one.
Awesome book! I am never disappointed when I read his books. I am always waiting for the next one to come out. Now I'm waiting again til the next one.
August 29, 2023
Interesting stories. I enjoyed reading through this book!
July 17, 2024
I've seen Richard on the programmes that he mentions in this book. But I didn't know he's an author I'll certainly be going looking for more of his books very interesting
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews