Ghost Stories of New York State

Theresa Paltzat is the Smart Search librarian at the Edmonton Public
Library.

New York State and New England are areas steeped in colonial history,
with many old homes and theatres to host the troubled spirits of the
past. Each of the ghost stories in these books includes detailed
background information about the history of the home or haunted locale
in the story and its occupants. These details give the reader an
opportunity to get to know the family or the home being haunted, and
build intrigue.

The 57 legends in Ghost Stories of New York State are organized in five
chapters: “Ghosts in Public” (many people claim to have seen the
ghosts in these stories), “Haunted Hospitality” (stories about
apparitions in hotels and inns), “Roadway Hauntings” (beware of the
ghostly hitchhikers), “Haunted Houses” (eyewitness accounts, some of
friendly ghosts), and “Haunted Schools and Forts” (supernatural
occurrences not only in the old Fort Ticonderoga but also on SUNY’s
Albany campus).

Ghost Stories of New England contains six chapters: “Haunted
Houses,” “Wandering Women,” “Maritime Spirits,” “Haunted
Hospitality,” “Historic Haunts,” and “Education in Fear.”
There is everything in here from the haunting of a McDonald’s
restaurant to a phantom ship.

These engaging tales are wonderful light reading for anyone interested
in the paranormal or local history, and for those who are planning a
trip to the regions.