Customer Reviews

When the Ghost Screams: True Stories of Victims Who Haunt

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The title is misleading. I was expecting stories that would frighten me with the truth of real, tragic hauntings. This is a bunch of fluff that is 5th grade reading level. I didn't like Coast to Coast Ghosts for the same reason; I don't know why I thought this would be any different.

I can't believe she would write such a bland book and give it such a dynamic title. You really cannot judge a book by its cover. Skip this one.

Leslie Rule's first book of ghostly tales was an excellent work especially for a first time author of ghost tales. Her second book was surprisingly even better than the first with a marked improvement in both content and style. As I have stated in previous reviews of her books it is obvious that Leslie has inherited the superb writing abilities of her mother Ann Rule. In this her latest book she even moves close to the territory that her true crime-writing mother covers so well by looking into hauntings caused by murder. An investigation that I would say is long overdue.

Unfortunately this latest book from Ms. Rule is not quite up to her previous works. Don't get me wrong though because the crisp writing style and the convictions she holds about her subject still make this a ghostly gem. The problems come when she seems to fill in several chapters with rapid fire and very short accounts that seem to be gleaned mostly from second hand sources. I suppose that it is possible that the stories into which she puts the most time are so good that it makes these short takes seem worse than they are in comparison but the short two or three paragraph stories really detracted from the book as a whole. Besides being an excellent writer this author is also a very good photographer and there are several pictures that add greatly to the positive feel of the book. On the other hand as one nears the end of the book there are so many pictures that one is left with the feeling that some of the less illustrative ones were simply used to fill space with a deadline approaching.

On a far more positive note one will find some of the best-written ghost stories in print within the pages of this book. The stories that are dealt with in the proper depth are as good as any accounts of the paranormal that I have ever read. The history behind the haunting is explored with just the right amount of detail and there are numerous accounts from people who experienced the phenomena first hand. All of those who are interviewed about their experience are willing to be named, which is a plus although I do not place the same importance on the lack of anonymity that this author does. It is hard after all to blame someone who does not want to be known as the person who sees dead people or worse yet to have ghost tours wandering through one's yard. Another plus for this book is that in general it deals with haunts that will not be familiar to every ghost enthusiast around. So many authors in the genre use the same old stories again and again but this author has shown a willingness to hunt for new material and she deserves to be applauded for this effort.

Overall this is certainly a book that belongs on the shelf of everyone who loves a good true ghost story. This one might not be quite up to her previous offerings but I haven't come across many books that are.

This book literally had me enthralled from the foreword, by Ann Rule, the author's mother, until the VERY LAST page. The true stories of hauntings are so real, so intimate, that you almost feel as if you are also becoming a witness to the victim's plight. In this way, the book not only becomes a masterful literary piece, but a cathartic tribute to those poor souls who left this world with unfinished business.

I have read the previous books written by Leslie Rule, and I consider them "keepers" as far as ghost lore is concerned, and I do intend to keep this one. However I was disappointed with some of the shorter stories are that are well known, and almost considered urban legends. Also the stories behind well know haunted restaurants and inns. At some points it was being written like a haunted travel guide. The best parts are when the author investigated and found deeds of violence long buried in old newspaper archives, and presented these murder victims as the most likely candidates for haunting a particular site. These are the less known but much more interesting hauntings that I enjoyed reading about.

As a fellow ghost book writer (Haunted Delaware), I've always been a Leslie Rule admirer, and I make sure to buy her books as soon as they come out. Her stories are well-researched and told in her lovely voice. This scary but delightful collection of stories doesn't disappoint, and will interest true crime readers as well as haunted house lovers.

I'd have to say my favorite story is the creepy anecdote about the Empire State Building's suicide victims caught on film.

Every one of Leslie Rule's books is a treasure for the ghost, or history, enthusiast. This book is no exception. A tireless and thorough researcher, Leslie gets the facts and gets them right. She knows her field and it shows. Anyone looking for true ghost experiences, and both well known and obscure hauntings, will strike pay dirt with her latest offering. As much fun as this book was to read, I also enjoyed the photos. For aside from being an entertaining writer, Leslie is a gifted photographer. Her photography sets her books apart. No run of the mill shots here. No run of the mill stories here either. As a fellow writer of the ghostly genre, I salute Leslie Rule for raising the bar.

If you are looking for further readings on ghosts, this is an excellent book. I've read many such accounts, and most--perhaps all--of her accounts were new to me. Excellent black and white photos accompany many of the accounts, which helps add interest and clarify what she is saying. As a former college teacher, I especially enjoyed her stories about universities, such as Northwestern and Miami University.

Spooky good fun - no gore. Leslie writes well and keeps the reader interested - just like her mom.

Most books that deal with tales of the supernatural suffer from a similar affliction; that being poor writing. This is the first book of Rule's that I've read, and I'm not exactly "blown away" by her writing, but it does stand out from the pack. Other reviewers have mentioned that her mother was/ is a true-crime writer. Could that have something to do with her daughter's first chapter being all about crimes and their possible connection to haunts?

I enjoy reading ghost stories, particularly ones that claim to be true. I believe more than a few... but solid writing definatley sways my judgement because cheesy writing... ugh... I'll get off the writing subject.

ANYWAY, when I pick up a book of ghost stories I don't anticipate anything real deep; I read them for a light raed on a good night or a rainy day. I think you readers out there know what I'm talking about.

This book was well spent one cold fall afternoon in Pittsburgh. And because I was in Pittsburgh, it was raining. The atmosphere was right, and the stories good. The overall affect was pleasing. I recommend "When the Ghost Screams."

Leslie Rule writes with much intensity and has a way of drawing you the reader into her world and the world of her subjects. I personally loved this book and the way in which it was written. I feel confident that Leslie Rule does her homework in an A+ fashion. She seems to put all of herself and her ghostly experiences into her books and it shows well. I would highly recommend this book as a fine read. On a side note, she is quite a fantastic photographer as well.