Chasing Graveyard Ghosts: Investigations of Haunted & Hallowed Ground

by Melba Goodwyn

Vampires, voodoo queens, aliens, and clown ghosts―what secrets are buried in forgotten graveyards and hidden along corpse roads? Take a bone-chilling tour of haunted graveyards and unhallowed ground. Paranormal investigator Melba Goodwyn explores the weird phenomena, ghostly legends, and freakish folklore associated with these resting grounds of the vengeful ghosts, malevolent red-eyed orbs, graveyard statues that come to life, even phantom cemeteries.... Along with true stories of her own hair-raising experiences, she offers insights into graveyard ghosts and guardians, spirited statues, bizarre tombstone inscriptions, portals linking other dimensions, and ghost roads along ley lines. Goodwyn also shares practical advice-and necessary precautions-for anyone wishing to investigate haunted graveyards on their own.  

Genres: Paranormal, Ghosts

312 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent ghost and paranormal investigation book. There was a lot of history, lore, and legend surrounding cemetery and graveyard ghosts. Even the famous voodoo priestess Marie Laveau and Louisiana lore was mentioned in a chapter. This was an entertaining read about paranormal phenomena. Thanks!

[Anita Dalton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book for a dollar and, for me, it was a dollar well-enough spent. The author discusses several graveyards in Texas I now would like to visit. I photograph graveyards and while the woo of ghost hunting is interesting to me, I was mainly focused on the graveyard element of this book.

This book, like so many Llewellyn books, suffers from myriad problems. One is that there are no pictures. Why the hell would anyone include a chapter about the Aurora alien grave without including pictures? Why the hell would anyone want to read a chapter about haunted cemetery statuary without seeing a single picture of the statues in question? The answer is, of course, they wouldn't but Llewellyn has increasingly become a purveyor of books whose main characteristic is that they were published on the cheap.

The second is that you could find better information about ghost hunting in a 30 minute podcast. Seriously. This book is barely an overview of cemetery ghost hunting, let alone 250+ pages worth of information (though it does, hilariously, contain an 8 page form one should evidently use when investigating a cemetery).

Because this book gave me a couple of leads for new, interesting cemeteries, I consider it worth the dollar I paid. I don't get the feeling most of you would get the same return on investment

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book by a Texas paranormal investigator, full of legend, lore, and interesting facts for ghost hunters, and those of us who just like to scare ourselves silly by reading about them!

[Ericka Lynch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no clue what this book was about by the end of it. over half the book was just her asking a million questions without making any sense. or talking about people or town she has not personally did and a investigation on. I also found it odd she talks about all these pictures she takes that could prove that she came in contact with a ghost, but she does not put them in the book. I was so excited to read this and it became a great disappointment in the end

[Michelle Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good

[Carol D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. At first I thought it may be just another ghost hunting book, but I found it interesting and educational. It has a lot of history on specific graveyards and it's occupants. I have always been attracted to visiting graveyards, especially those in Great Britain. I too have found some epitaphs that have been humorous and then some where they say how someone died. Like he drowned at sea or fell off a horse. Some of the really old ones in Ireland are during the time of the potato famine. I found this book to be well documented and researched but would have liked to have seen some pictures of what was found.

[Miranda Evanoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that the author did a very good good in conducting her research on the different places and people she discussed. It was neat to learn the meaning of different symbols and cryptic messages that may be present at a grave. I did however kind of wonder when she had a paranormal experience at most of the places she talked about. Not saying it's not possible, but seems far fetched. Overall, a good read for those who are interested in cemeteries, interment, and even urban legend.

[Valeria Bleistein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. Melba Goodwyn has obviously done her homework when it comes to cemetery lore. I enjoyed reading about her paranormal experiences also, which ring true for me. It does nudge me to want to investigate cemeteries, armed with some new knowledge and renewed respect. (But only during daylight hours!)

[Obliterature (The Bibliophile) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. Goodwyn shows her research in a very interesting and entertaining way. Even though I think that I spent way too much for this book (retail is always too much!), I'm glad that I bought and read it.

I liked the epitaph section towards the back, it was like eating the frosting on the iced doughnut last.

Nice references to symbolism.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this is well written, it seems to lose track. The writer often shares interesting facts about graveyards/burials/etc. but seems to ignore hauntings/ghosts. Very few of the haunting/ghost stories are backed up by others or evidence. Interesting....but not focused.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The epitaph chapter had me laughing out loud! It made me want to stop at the cemetery I drive past daily and read the tombstones.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, nothing earth shattering, but entertaining

[Caitlin Tapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book full of insights and fun stories and authors experiences.