Customer Reviews

Haunted Inns of New England

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Being from a town in New England with a large number of the featured haunted inns, I was excited to read this book. I was even married at one and my grandmother worked at another in the 1930s. I did learn a few things about the history of the inns, which was great. Unfortunately, the writing was... off. I laughed out loud at several bits (one innkeeper had a "never-ending seven year dispute" with a zoning board) and cringed at others, especially the parts that seemed to kowtow to every inns' staff. It read like a school project rather than an actual professional finished glossy product. The book really could have done with an editing overhaul to make the stories more easily appreciated.

If you enjoy New England history and like a good bone-chilling fright in the dark, you will enjoy this book. Mark invites you along on his journey of open-minded discovery, and his detailed descriptions of the locations will make you feel as though you are walking through the front door along with him.

The stories highlight the history and hauntings of many New England Inns, most not widely known and off the beaten path (although the well-worn Lizzie Borden surfaces yet again; perhaps interesting to those not from New England). The first-hand interviews are with contemporary people at real locations, and in almost all cases the Inn's name, town, and telephone number are included. Many photographs are included as well.

I picked this up while staying at the Daniel Webster Inn, not knowing what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised. I believe you will find this an easy, delightful read. Mark's prose is a bit sugary, but to his credit the stories are told totally without embellishment, allowing the readers to judge the validity of the stories for themselves.

Be sure to read this one on a dark, stormy night, curled up in front of a roaring fire!

Haunted Inns of New England is a fun book to read while you are lying in bed. Don't forget to keep a pen and note paper on your night table, just in case you want to visit one of these inns and need to write down their name. New England is a great place to visit. Not too big, not too crowded and not too expensive. It has many different types of attractions and Haunted Inns are just one of them. Don't forget the haunted pubs (sorry that's another book!) Come and visit. The ghosts are waiting for you.