Seeking Spirits: The Lost Cases of The Atlantic Paranormal Society

by Jason Hawes, Grant Wilson, Michael Jan Friedman

TV's popular Ghost Hunters reveal all-new, never-before-told stories from their spooky early investigations!

For the first time ever, Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, founders of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (T. A.P.S.), share their most memorable and spine-tingling early cases -- none of which has ever appeared on television. Beginning with the previously untold experiences that sparked their passion for ghost hunting, Jason and Grant's bone-chilling investigations

• A Connecticut woman who seems to exist in two places at once
• A little girl whose invisible playmate retaliates against her father's punishments
• A man overcome by an evil entity as Jason and Grant survey his home
• A distraught woman who dreams of paranormal events before she experiences them...and much more!

Jason and Grant didn't always have the fancy scientific equipment and experienced team that fans now watch on their smash-hit television show. As they share their hair-raising first experiences, they offer essential tips for budding paranormal investigators -- including how to use an electromagnetic field (EMF) meter and an infrared camera, determine if a supernatural phenomenon is good or evil, and deal with spirits. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, these fascinating and frightening true stories will keep you up at night!

Genres: Paranormal, Nonfiction, Ghosts, Horror, Ghost Stories, Supernatural, Short Stories

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2009

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

'For the first time ever, Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, founders of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (T.A.P.S.), share their most memorable and spine-tingling early cases -- none of which has ever appeared on television. Beginning with the previously untold experiences that sparked their passion for ghost hunting, Jason and Grant's bone-chilling investigations uncover:

• A Connecticut woman who seems to exist in two places at once
• A little girl whose invisible playmate retaliates against her father's punishments
• A man overcome by an evil entity as Jason and Grant survey his home
• A distraught woman who dreams of paranormal events before she experiences them...and much more!

Jason and Grant didn't always have the fancy scientific equipment and experienced team that fans now watch on their smash-hit television show. As they share their hair-raising first experiences, they offer essential tips for budding paranormal investigators -- including how to use an electromagnetic field (EMF) meter and an infrared camera, determine if a supernatural phenomenon is good or evil, and deal with spirits. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, these fascinating and frightening true stories will keep you up at night!'
______________________________

Seeking Spirits by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, founders of T.A.P.S., with Michael Jan Friedman is a form of case journal, detailing some of their most incredible investigations before they were ever on television, as well as serving as a brief how-to for the inspiring paranormal investigators.

I loved watching this show back when it was on Syfy and now I still occasionally watch the new incarnations of the show that are on now. I love all things with a parnormal or spooky vibe, so I was happy to see they had produced some books too. I picked up a copy of Seeking Spirits a few years ago at a discount book shop and it took me forever to work through my TBR pile enough to pick it up to read. But I'm glad I finally got to it because I really enjoyed it. Each chapter is fairly short and begins by sharing Jason, Grant, and the team's personal experiences and encounters during an investigation and ends by giving a quick, helpful tip or how-to in the various avenues of paranormal investigating.

In the format of a show, we don't really get to learn terribly much about the investigators and founders of T.A.P.S. so I realy loved that aspect of the book. For example we get to learn how some investigtors that we met in show came to join the team, whether they were an investigator in the field that reached out in one context of another or if they were a client that had contacted them at some point to investigate their home only to later join the team. Also I really love the philosophy that they use to approach an investigation, they are looking for evidence that they cannot logically disprove and seek to debunk evidence that stems from things like a faulty door latch or reflected headlights. A lot of investigators you see on TV will fly into hysterics at the sound of a shoe squeaking on the floor and my eyes roll and in disgust ad infinitum. So I really appreciate that they approach from the angle of 'can this be disproven?' instead of 'well, obviously there's demons all over this place.'

If you liked the show I think you'll really enjoy it too, or if you are simply interested in paranormal investigation then I think you'll find it interesting. I have ordered another book by them and will hopefully be starting it soon.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Seeking Spirits" is from Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. they share the experiences they have from the episodes of Ghost Hunters. Each take turns writing about the cases they had with possible haunted homes. Kind of fun to read about what they discovered in each case. Some ended up having activities going on in their home. They call their group the "The Atlantic Paranormal Society" or "TAPS" for short.

[Catherine Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only book I have found that was written by Jason and Grant. I have been huge fans of theirs since I was a teenager and still to this day. I also have a few other groups and people I love in this field. The book was so much fun to read. Also very informative. I just wish they would put all those tv episodes on DVD so I can watch them over and over again. Hopefully I can find their other books.

[Shanty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved the Ghost Hunters since the first season the show began. I always hoped that I could meet them and finally I did. My close friend and I got to meet Jason and Grant at Barnes and Nobles in Warwick, RI. They were doing a book signing and they're honestly some of the nicest people I've ever met.

I'm sure they hear over and over again how much people love their show but they were still grateful and almost taken aback when we told them. They were even interested in the fact that we became friends because of their show! I liked their books before but I truly loved them after meeting them. They're personalities make me believe in them even more so now.

The writing might not be the best but I'm glad they didn't try to go over the top. I felt like I was watching another episode - or even talking to them.

[M. Slinger-Carreer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the show, you'll enjoy this. In my opinion, definitely written for their audience.
Just as they do in the docu-series, they include some cases that turned out to not be haunted and other occasions they were called but not needed at all. A lot of the cases they do included are downright scary. Although they present all this info as they normally do, in a calm, diplomatic manner. However, any one of these stories could be told with more emotion and it would be spooky AF. I was a little surprised by the number of demonic possessions/exorcisms performed that were presented in this book. Even a case were they (spoiler alert, jump to the next sentence) stumbled across a satanic ceremony. (You're safe to start reading again) I'm by no means a super fan but I've watched my fair share of this show and I don't recall them covered very many of these at all. I'll chalk this up to the fact it's probably considered a mostly family friendly show, and demons and satan are not, and they just simply don't include them in the show. But ye be warned. Lots of demons.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved seeing the progression Jason, Grant, and the rest of the team went through! These are shorter vignettes about cases they went on that weren't aired or as exciting as the TV counterparts. Told from both Jason and Grant intermittently, it was nice to see the variance in narrator. And some of the cases were from the early 90's so that was cool to see too! Just as enjoyable as their other book.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been a massive fan of Jason and Grant since I was a little girl, always sneaking Ghost Hunters episodes by pretending to be asleep while my mom watched them. This book made me very nostalgic for the days they still worked together. I loved the stories they shared about cases before Ghost Hunters came to be. I didn’t love how the “Ghost Hunters Manual” at the end of the chapters didn’t always relate to the chapter's content. I would’ve liked the book more without the “Ghost Hunters Manual” bits; although, I respect their intentions behind including them. This is a book I plan to keep on my shelf forever, and I’ll definitely be ordering another copy for my mom!

[Autumn · Rating 2 out of 5]

you can tell this is a book written to hype the show more BUT it was still really fun to read

[Barbi Faye (The Book Fae) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book by the TV show's "Ghost Hunters" Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, and I sure wish some of these cases were televised! Some of my most absolute favorites includes a doppelganger, a Super Soaker of holy water in a blizzard, and mah fayvoryte!!! An elemental, that symmetrically stacks pots and pans and rearranges furniture with lightning speed, tirelessly and completely behind the guys back, and on a daily basis!!! Can you even imagine?? Can you even imagine trying to film it and get evidence for a TV show??? Bruh!! All that other stuff is spiritual and intangible, this is corporeal stuff here...!! Hahaha!
I love how in this day and age any paranormal fan has an intelligent working knowledge of a paranormal investigator, because of this show particularly and others, we know what a gauss is, know what a baseline EMF is and how to conduct a sweep, heck, and can even download thermal imaging software to their phone along with being able to record digital EVP's with same device, if they wanted to. Yet, we all were kids in a theater and we watched Ghostbusters, and as laypeople knew none of this, and then if you claimed you seen or heard something you were still called crazy or imagining it. There was no field yet, as it were. There were no Venkmans. There were no Hawes, no Wilsons.
Yay Hawes! Yay Wilsons!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read their other book, Ghost Hunting: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena from The Atlantic Paranormal Society, and it was cool, because I've watched their show for so long. So when I had a B&N giftcard, I couldn't resist buying this too. And it didn't disappoint. I love reading about this stuff (and sometimes watching it too!), and to read about cases from their early days was great!

[Nancy O · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a semester reading nothing but articles related to library science, this book was a fun palate-cleanser; I love allegedly true ghost stories, and I thoroughly enjoy the TV show Ghost Hunters (because inside I'm really a twelve-year-old boy). This book combines some of Jason and Grant's early cases and tips for conducting your own investigations, should you be so inclined.

[Sissy Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I enjoyed their first book, this one left me a little meh. I enjoyed the stories in the book and reading about the cases. However, it was what came after the stories that I found boring. Almost after each case that wrote about was some explanation of ghost hunting. Now, I am not saying do not put that information in the book, but put it in an appendix at the end (like they did with the first book). I found myself reading the cases and then skipping the technical information to read the next case in most instances. There were a couple I found interesting; however, if you have watched their show (any ghost hunting program), you know most of what was being discussed.

Overall, I give the book three stars. I was leaning toward a four rating but honestly the end of case information just really turned me off. I enjoyed the cases of the book though and I am already in search of their other book. I am just hoping the guys had learned what an appendix was for when writing their next work.

[Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars. Jason and Grant, the founders of T.A.P.S. share with us the ghost investigations that they went on in the early days of their organization before the TV show Ghost Hunters. The chapters are very short with the longest ones being 6-8 pages and that's only a couple of chapters. The first part of each chapter is the ghost investigation, and the other part is something technical in nature. For ex., something about equipment, how to set up, research, EVP's etc. The book covers so many different kinds of investigations including real hauntings, debunked locations, fakers, children sensitives and more. The variety is nice, so it isn't all the same. I liked that these investigations were before the tv show and didn't make it as a part of Ghost Hunters. So, they are stories that we haven't' seen before. This is not a scary book at all and if you like watching ghost hunting shows on tv or you are interested in the paranormal, then you would like this.

[Tammy Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I really liked the stories of their cases at the beginning of their paranormal investigations as well as once they had their show Ghost Hunters on the Syfy channel. There were some funny, light heart stories and some tragic losses as well. Jason & Grant even included informational sections after each story with topics to better understand the process of ghost hunting. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to their other book I have to read(which to my delight, I found I own!). If you are interested in the paranormal, this is a definite must read!

[Gina Trail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great short read. Little stories about investigations the T.A.P.S Team worked on are very descriptive and have just enough influence to gain new viewers for their show which is why I presume it was written. I thoroughly enjoyed them explaining their process and equipment along with the different types of hauntings one could have. Although not all the stories include paranormal activity, and I would give anything to see footage of these events.

[gerald a emert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

Having watched the program years ago, I thought I'd read their book. Not at all disappointed. A lot of information on the "how to" of investigations, as well as personal interactions with other worldly beings. Some parts creepy while others are funny. Very well put together.

[Lynn Schaufelberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As somebody who's very interested in paranormal and ghost stories and watches Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters on television I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I loved how they told stories of past ghost hunting. They took part in and then gave readers who might be doing their own paranormal hunting some tips at the end of the chapter

[Ethan West · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously not as good as the show but still an interesting read. I appreciate the thoroughness and the skepticism of Jay and Grant and the whole Ghost Hunters/TAPS team. I have tried watching other paranormal shows and they all seem like scared little kids going into these locations. It was really interesting hearing the history of how Jay and Grant came to investigate the paranormal.

[Eden DW · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this book focused on a more scientific view of ghosts. It was more than just ghost stories it was also the process of how to record ghosts and not all the stories ended in an actual haunting. It was written simply and was very easy to read however I still recommend it.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another interesting, entertaining, and informative book by the founders of TAPS.

[Eden Levan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this when I was a teenager and never actually read it. Until now! Happy Halloween, y’all!

[Donna Tarver · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were less detailed than I would like, and the extra technical description at the end of each chapter just did not work for me.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just enough paranormal science to satisfy me and plenty of fun. I really like how these ghost hunters are advancing the field

[Jessica Griglak · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Stories of investigations and explanations of phenomenon.

[★Lalita ❤︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and entertaining read.

[Teresa Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Ghost Hunters

I was very sorry that Grant and Jason stopped investigating together.I enjoy Kindred Spirits,and they were originally with Ghost Hunters..Good book,quick read.

[Sian Lile-Pastore · Rating 3 out of 5]

The highlight for me was when they went to investigate a woman's house and rather than it being haunted they diagnosed her with the perimenopause.

[Kellene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed a look at some of the earliest and less sensational TAPS experiences.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories they told were interesting, but half of every chapter was dedicated to explaining how I the reader could become a better ghost hunter and I just didn't care for it.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our house, it used to be that on Wednesday nights there was no debating what would be on television. Since the first episode, I’ve been a huge fan of the television show Ghost Hunters. The show focuses on one of the paranormal investigation groups in this country, The Atlantic Paranormal Society, or TAPS as they have become known. TAPS has gotten a well-deserved reputation for their work in the paranormal field. This is largely because the way they approach investigating paranormal activity is to try to disprove it by finding reasonable explanations for the activity reported and they will only deem a location haunted if they can find no other explanations for the evidence they collect.

I was a bit underwhelmed by the first book written by the founders of TAPS, Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. Ghost Hunting: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena from the Atlantic Paranormal Society was a collection of stories from both before the television show began airing and from cases seen on the show as well.

The second book, Seeking Spirits: The Lost Cases of The Atlantic Paranormal Society, follows a formula similar to the first book, but has improved. Almost all of the cases retold in this book are ones that will be unfamiliar to those who religiously watch the show, like me. That was the one main issue I had with the last book and by eliminating the cases seen on television, it really feels like I’m getting more bang for the buck.

Seeking Spirits: The Lost Cases of The Atlantic Paranormal Society is told mainly from the perspective of Grant Wilson, with input from Jason Hawes. This is the reverse of the last book. This allows Grant to tell the story of the paranormal experience(s) that motivated him to get into paranormal investigation. The story is an intriguing one and defies explanation in many ways. It also leads to the crux of how you will approach this book. If you believe Jason and Grant and find them credible, the stories will seem like true tales of the paranormal. If you’re someone who thinks it’s all a gimmick, I doubt there will be anything here to change your mind.

To read my full review, please go to Seeking Spirits: The Lost Cases of The Atlantic Paranormal Society – Before Ghost Hunters