Customer Reviews

Phantoms of Old Louisville: Ghostly Tales from America's Most Haunted Neighborhood

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

David Domine follows up on last year's "Ghosts of Old Louisville" with this year's just-as-delightful "Phantoms of Old Louisville".

Old Louisville has a rich Victorian history, complete with its own haunted past. Domine brings both of these facets together in a wonderful marriage thanks to his detailed descriptions and narrative skill. Skeptics and "ghost hunters" alike can appreciate the ghostly tales Domine has uncovered in his unopinionated style, and decide for themselves how true these accounts seem to be.

In his writing process Domine has obviously worked hard at doing extensive research, conducting interviews, and verifying stories and alleged "facts" of supernatural occurances to make the chapters as in-depth and fleshed-out as they are (for an added touch, the introductory and afterword sections come penned from Halloween night of the previous year).

The stories he presents to readers are greatly interesting, and some induce chills and definite eerieness. The backgrounds of some of the spirits here range from amusing to melancholy, and the types of supernatural activity reported are just as varied. Not only do we learn of the supernatural, though---all along the way Domine knowledgably points out architectural features of various grand Victorian mansions and old public buildings, giving that feeling of actually being taken back to this bygone era for a brief period. He has certainly studied his Louisville history, too, as is evidenced by his sharing of interesting facts from Old Louisville's true heyday.

Sprinkled throughout the book are some black and white photographs of the different locales. They add a little visual flavor to each of the intriguing accounts. Also, in the front of the volume is a map of the general area with a location key for those readers who want to venture to Old Louisville and visit some of these locations for themselves.

For a splendid read---especially with Halloween coming on in autumn---definitely check out Domine's "Phantoms of Old Louisville", and its predecessor, "Ghosts of Old Louisville". They are fascinating examples of Victorian architecture, city history, and, most importantly for such works, tales merging this world with that of the spirits.

Happy reading.

In his latest book, Phantoms of Old Louisville: Ghostly Tales from America's Most Haunted Neighborhood, David Domine does an admirable job following up on the chills and thrills of last year's bestselling Ghosts of Old Louisville: True Stories of Hauntings in America's Largest Victorian Neighborhood. In this sequel, Domine has managed to unearth even more tales of the dearly departed in the grandest Victorian neighborhood in the country, and he presents them to the reader with the same engaging prose and mouth-watering descriptions he employed in his first book. And, as before, he has managed to capture a distinct feel for the neighborhood he loves so much, and he successfully uses it to create a mood piece that transports the reader back to a time when spirits from Beyond looked on as bustled ladies served tea in elegant front parlors, servants gathered for modest meals in the back kitchen and the domestic arts (unlike today) occupied a hallowed spot in American households.

I look forward to his next book and recommend this one to all who enjoy a good ghost story with added architectural tidbits and lots of local flavor.

I recently moved to Old Louisville and knowing nothing about the area, read the first book by David Domine, Ghosts of Old Louisville. I was sorry when the book ended and started immediately on the second book, Phantoms of Old Louisville. I also took the Ghost Tour of Old Louisville, which was hosted by David Domine himself, last Friday night. I am so glad that he did write about these old homes and the area, otherwise I would not have known any history or folklore to accompany me here, on my move from Los Angeles to Old Louisville this last January. He allowed those of us on his tour into his wonderful home, which was magnificent. I could see the actual place where one of the purported hauntings happened and it was decorated and restored beautifully which made it an extra bonus. These books have given me a perspective on this area that I really would not have had if they weren't available. I am so waiting for October and the "haunting" season to begin. Another aside, I still don't know if I really believe in "ghosts", however, when reading these books late at night, I found myself having to put them down, and listening very closely to the sounds of my own Old Louisville home, and sometimes, I couldn't start reading again until the next day.....just too many chills and possibly a wild imagination at work. I found these books to be wonderful reads, never dragging, held my attention, and I now use them for reference when looking at the places and events described.

Phantoms of Old Louisville is the second in David Domine's fascinating collection of authentic ghost stories from the largest Victorian neighborhood in the country. You can read this one first or you can read Ghosts of Old Louisville first, it doesn't matter because each book reads well by itself. This one, like the first, is a great collection of stories dealing with reportedly haunted locations in the area known as Old Louisville. But, don't worry if you're not from Kentucky. These stories are fascinating no matter where you come from. If you love ghost stories, as I do, you will love this book. Each chapter combines equal parts supernatural events with local history and wonderful architecture. The author makes the neighborhood come to life and draws the reader in on a fascinating journey to the past. The level of writing is excellent, and the only thing that surpasses it is the unbelievable degree of storytelling involved. Although it is a work of creative non-fiction, it has a novelist's flare about it. This, like the first, is a book that will keep you up all night till you have finished it early the next morning. I cannot wait for volume III! Thanks to the author for an entertaining and informative read!

Another great book by David Domine. Fascinating stories full of history and just the right amount of ghostly tales.

Rose Pressey
Author of "My Haunted Family"

Very well written and spell-binding! In short, another great book by David Domine. These stories bring to light the ghostly past of America's supposedly most haunted neighborhood. After reading this volume, you might tend to agree. Apart from hair-raising stories of the supernatural and the ghosts and goblins that populate this historic neighborhood, these tales include interesting historical tidbits that backup many of the aspects of these accounts. It seems that are many, many reportedly true encounters of the paranormal in this unique neighborhood, and David Domine has spent a bit of time digging up this haunted past. The author incorporates enticing descriptions of the local architecture that bring the stories to life, and to satisfy your appetite for more, he includes details of the wonderful dinner parties that he hosts. Check out his cookbook Adventures in New Kentucky Cooking with The Bluegrass Peasant for a preview of some of his famous dishes.

His first book in this series is: Ghosts of Old Louisville: True Stories of Hauntings in America's Largest Victorian Neighborhood

Fun read enliving the imagination as Domine walks you through the brisque Victorian streets of Old Louisville and brings their haunts to shrill your mind and haunt your dreams...:-)

This book might appeal to someone who lives in Old Louisville, but it didn't to me. The author is more concerned with the houses themselves and impressing the reader with his vocabulary than he is with relating "ghostly tales." I couldn't even get through the first story before I put the book down I was so bored.
The only reason I gave the book one star is because zero stars is not allowed.

David Domine is an interesting writer - he combines allegedly true ghost stories with his fascination for the architecture and history of the neighborhood, not to mention his love of food. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the first in the series, Ghosts of Old Louisville.

Just like his first book, Ghosts of Old Louisville: True Stories of Hauntings in America's Largest Victorian Neighborhood, Phantoms of Old Louisville explores the haunted past in a neighborhood that is quickly gaining fame as the most haunted neighborhood in the country. The author includes detailed descriptions of the homes and mansions in the area and digs deep into the haunted past that may have provoked the hauntings behind their massive walls and behind their ornately carved doors. He writes in a way that brings the scene to life before you eyes and I especially loved the details of the food eaten at the mansions like the Widmer House, where the author first became acquainted with the haunted past of the neighborood. Food, phantoms, architecture and history - these are my favorite things.