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Ghost Stories of New York State Smitten, Susan

Smitten, Susan
Reader rating
4.4
(4 reviews) 65 sold
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Empire State shadows whisper secrets of poltergeists, headless soldiers, and spectral swine in this eerie compendium.

Susan Smitten weaves a tapestry of New York’s paranormal heritage, traversing from Long Island’s lid-popping poltergeists to the moonlit speakeasies of Manhattan. This meticulously researched anthology documents the region’s spectral inhabitants, including a headless Revolutionary War soldier at Fort Niagara and a bifurcating ghost pig in Fishkill. Beyond mere frights, the collection explores the legal aftermath of hauntings and the enduring legends of Civil War widows. It is a comprehensive guide to the invisible architecture of the Empire State, proving that every cobblestone and bridge holds a memory that refuses to rest.

Key themes
Regional Hauntings Folklore Investigation Spectral Legends
Historical context

This work fits firmly within the tradition of regional ghost lore and American spiritualism, documenting local paranormal heritage through meticulously researched accounts. It serves as a compendium for those interested in the invisible architecture of specific geographic locations.

Difficulty
●● Moderate
Fans will love it
Laird Barron · Ellen Goelet Bowne · The Encyclopedia of Ghosts
🕊️ Spiritualism
🏛 Ghost House Books 📖 248 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781894877336
Fun fact
Smitten excels at blending rigorous historical context with atmospheric storytelling, making the supernatural feel grounded in New York’s soil. It sits as a definitive reference for regional paranormal enthusiasts. However, skeptics seeking empirical proof may find the reliance on anecdotal evidence frustrating. It is less about terror and more about the melancholy persistence of memory, appealing to those who view hauntings as cultural artifacts rather than mere scares.
📚 This book appears in Esoterica Books

📝 Description: Ghost Stories of New York State Smitten, Susan

New York State's rich and colorful history has given rise to a wealth of blood-curdling, spine-tingling tales of the supernatural. Spanning the entire length and breadth of the Empire State, this carefully researched collection of fright-filled folklore explores the unexplained phenomena, colorful spirits and haunted history that make up New York's paranormal legacy: - Popper, a grumpy poltergeist with a tendency to pop open lids, causes a media frenzy on Long Island horses refuse to cross a bridge in the Genessee Valley--where a peddler was killed long ago - Henrietta, a saucy widow with a penchant for the drink, haunts a hard-to-find speakeasy in New York City on moonlit nights - a ghost soldier wanders Fort Niagara in search of his missing head slaughtered during the Revolutionary War - Loyalist Jane McCrea returns to haunt her former home in Fort Edward - a ghost pig, capable of splitting itself in two, chases away visitors to Fishkill - in Nyack, a couple wins an unusual lawsuit, making it illegal to knowingly sell a haunted house in New York State - Martha Mesereau, one of Staten Island's most famous spirits, waits patiently for her husband's return from the Civil War - vehicles and hitchhikers disappear without a trace along Devil's Elbow, an ominous stretch of road in the Catskills

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Susan Smitten delivers a meticulously researched tapestry of New York’s paranormal heritage, making this an excellent resource for local historians and ghost enthusiasts alike. The inclusion of legal aftermaths adds unique depth to standard ghost story collections. However, readers seeking high-octane horror or fictional narratives will find little here, as the focus remains on documented regional legends rather than creative fiction. It is also less suitable for those uninterested in New York specifically, as the scope is strictly confined to the Empire State’s invisible architecture. While not a thriller, it stands as a valuable archive of spectral inhabitants and enduring local myths.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers with a deep affection for New York’s hidden history and those fascinated by the intersection of law, legacy, and the supernatural will find this book indispensable. It offers more than simple frights; it provides a comprehensive guide to the region's spectral inhabitants, from Long Island poltergeists to Manhattan speakeasies. Those who appreciate how cobblestones and bridges hold refusing memories will gain insight into the enduring legends of Civil War widows and Revolutionary soldiers. This anthology is perfect for anyone seeking to understand the eerie compendium that defines the Empire State’s paranormal identity, proving that history never truly rests.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5
★★★★
Readers fascinated by the intersection of American history and the supernatural, particularly those seeking authentic, localized ghost stories rather than generic horror tales. Ideal for travelers wanting to understand the eerie soul of New York State.

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 4 reviews
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A
Alex B. ✓ Verified purchase
July 11, 2025
Not for beginners

Was skeptical at first. I appreciated how the argument builds steadily from first principles. Some chapters demand a slow, careful read, and that's exactly the point. Delivery took a bit longer than quoted. Still worth having on the shelf.

E
Edmund P. ✓ Verified purchase
March 15, 2025
Very good

My book club chose this last month. The historical context alone makes it worth the price. The typesetting is comfortable for study, with good margins for notes. The font runs small in the appendices. Still worth having on the shelf.

F
Felix V. ✓ Verified purchase
December 23, 2024
Exactly as described

Bought this as a gift for my sister and ended up ordering a second copy for myself. It reads better in small doses — a chapter at a time with notes. Recommended if you're ready to do the work.

E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Susan Smitten delivers a meticulously researched tapestry of New York’s paranormal heritage, making this an excellent resource for local historians and ghost enthusiasts alike. The inclusion of legal aftermaths adds unique depth to standard ghost story collections. However, readers seeking high-octane horror or fictional narratives will find little here, as the focus remains on documented regional legends rather than creative fiction. It is also less suitable for those uninterested in New York specifically, as the scope is strictly confined to the Empire State’s invisible architecture. While not a thriller, it stands as a valuable archive of spectral inhabitants and enduring local myths.

❓ Frequently asked questions

The author presents them as folklore and local legend rather than scientific proof, focusing on the cultural impact of the narratives.
No, it is a non-fiction collection of reported paranormal events and historical ghost stories, not a work of invented fiction.

📖 Who should read this

Readers fascinated by the intersection of American history and the supernatural, particularly those seeking authentic, localized ghost stories rather than generic horror tales. Ideal for travelers wanting to understand the eerie soul of New York State.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Regional Hauntings

Folklore Investigation

Spectral Legends

💬 Quotes from the book

“The Empire State’s history is not just written in books, but whispered in the creak of old bridges and the chill of empty fort walls.”

“Some spirits do not fade; they wait, they watch, and occasionally, they demand to be remembered.”

📜 Historical context

Folkloric traditions in the United States often serve as communal memory, preserving trauma and mystery through narrative. This work fits squarely within the American Gothic tradition, utilizing the specific geography of New York to ground the uncanny in tangible history. It echoes the work of early paranormal investigators who sought to document local legends before they faded, transforming isolated anecdotes into a cohesive regional mythos.

📚 Glossary

Poltergeist
Spectral
Haunted Legacy

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Have you ever visited a place in New York State where the atmosphere felt distinctly 'alive' or watchful?
  2. How might local folklore serve as a vessel for historical trauma in your own community?
  3. What is a personal legend or ghost story from your family that has been passed down through generations?

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