US shipping Secure card payment Occult and esoteric books

The Haunting of Cape Cod and the Islands Sillery, Barbara

Sillery, Barbara
Reader rating
4.5
(1 reviews) 24 sold
Availability to be confirmed

This edition can be ordered. No arrival date is confirmed.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Uncover the spectral secrets hidden within Cape Cod's misty shores and historic islands.

Barbara Sillery invites readers on an enthralling journey through the haunted landscapes of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard. This guide meticulously explores over twenty historical locations, revealing the supernatural residents who linger amidst their New England seafaring heritage. Sillery masterfully intertwines chilling spectral encounters with deep historical research, shedding light on the lives that shaped these spectral presences. Each account offers intriguing "lagniappe" – fascinating historical footnotes – challenging readers to ponder the line between folklore and genuine apparition. It's an exploration of regional history through a ghostly lens, whether you're a believer or a curious skeptic.

Key themes
New England Spectral Traditions History's Lingering Shadows Probing Paranormal Realities
Historical context

This work sits firmly within the tradition of New England regional ghost lore and spiritualism, blending local maritime history with supernatural investigation.

Difficulty
●● Moderate
Fans will love it
Laurie Maryanoff · Catherine Crowe · H.P. Lovecraft's non-fiction essays
🕊️ Spiritualism
🏛 Pelican Publishing Company 📅 2014 📖 288 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781455619931
Fun fact
Sillery’s "The Haunting of Cape Cod and the Islands" is a wonderfully researched dive into regional folklore, offering substance beyond mere spooky tales. It excels at weaving compelling history into its ghostly narratives, satisfying both paranormal enthusiasts and local history buffs. Readers expecting pure horror or sensationalized accounts might find its academic rigor a bit restrained. This book stands as a solid entry in the field of localized historical hauntings, valuing context and curiosity over cheap thrills.

📝 Description: The Haunting of Cape Cod and the Islands Sillery, Barbara

"From a discarded armoire to a distorted folktale, if it's old I'm hooked. The lure of an untold story has drawn me into abandoned cemeteries, derelict slave cabins, and down into the hull of a sinking Lafitte skiff. A fascination with the past continues to impact my life."-Barbara Sillery The fog-shrouded islands of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard are filled with distinctly New England apparitions steeped in the staunch sea-faring traditions of their earthly home. As author Barbara Sillery states, "they are there whether you believe or not." Dip into this ghostly guide for a tour of more than twenty historical sites along with stories of their supernatural inhabitants. In each instance, skepticism abounds and the question remains-is there really a ghost? Each chapter provides lagniappe-a bit of extra information as a gift-in the form of fascinating facts related to the ghostly residents. Sillery provides historical details that might explain why Seth haunts his former church in Nantucket. She delves into the actual history of the missing mansion of Falmouth and the Beebes family, offering an illuminating narrative of truly eccentric residents. From the Highfield Theater to the Sandwich Glass Museum, from the Crocker Tavern House to the Simmons Homestead Inn in Hyannis Port, from the Edward Gorey House to the Penniman House, the author provides an entertaining tour of the best-known haunts of the area.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Sillery offers a meticulous exploration of over twenty locations, effectively intertwining chilling encounters with rigorous historical research. The book succeeds in challenging the reader to ponder the line between folklore and actual spiritual presence. However, it may not suit readers seeking purely fictional horror narratives or those uninterested in the specific history of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Those looking for academic theological debate might find the 'lagniappe' footnotes charming but insufficient. It is best enjoyed by those willing to engage with regional heritage alongside supernatural claims.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers with a deep appreciation for New England’s maritime past and its lingering spiritual echoes will find this book indispensable. It serves as both a historical guide and a supernatural tour, perfect for those who enjoy tracing the lives of seafarers through their spectral remnants. The inclusion of historical footnotes offers intellectual depth, appealing to skeptics and believers alike who wish to understand the context behind the hauntings. If you are fascinated by the intersection of folklore and genuine apparition in coastal communities, this enthralling journey provides a unique lens through which to view Cape Cod’s misty shores.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★
If you're drawn to local lore, historical mysteries, or the chilling allure of spectral encounters, this book is for you. Dive into the unique history of Cape Cod and its islands through the lens of their most persistent, unseen residents. Perfect for armchair travelers and paranormal investigators…

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Sillery offers a meticulous exploration of over twenty locations, effectively intertwining chilling encounters with rigorous historical research. The book succeeds in challenging the reader to ponder the line between folklore and actual spiritual presence. However, it may not suit readers seeking purely fictional horror narratives or those uninterested in the specific history of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Those looking for academic theological debate might find the 'lagniappe' footnotes charming but insufficient. It is best enjoyed by those willing to engage with regional heritage alongside supernatural claims.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Far from it. While supernatural encounters are central, Sillery meticulously weaves in rich historical details and cultural insights, making it as much a journey into New England's past as it is an exploration of its spectral inhabitants.
While the subject matter is ghostly, the book prioritizes historical context and intriguing local lore over jump scares. It's more about thoughtful exploration of unexplained phenomena and regional history than traditional horror.

📖 Who should read this

If you're drawn to local lore, historical mysteries, or the chilling allure of spectral encounters, this book is for you. Dive into the unique history of Cape Cod and its islands through the lens of their most persistent, unseen residents. Perfect for armchair travelers and paranormal investigators alike.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

New England Spectral Traditions

The book delves into the unique apparitions inhabiting Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, illustrating how their ghostly presences are deeply entwined with the region's rich maritime history and distinct culture. It presents a tapestry of local legends and personal encounters, showcasing the specific character of New England's spectral inhabitants.

History's Lingering Shadows

Sillery meticulously researches the past lives and events connected to each haunting, providing a robust historical framework for understanding why certain spirits might remain. From tragic seafaring tales to eccentric local figures, the book unearths the human stories that underpin these supernatural occurrences, offering context for their continued ethereal presence.

Probing Paranormal Realities

Throughout her investigations, Sillery maintains a balanced perspective, acknowledging skepticism while presenting compelling evidence and personal accounts. She encourages readers to question and explore the possibility of the supernatural, framing the question "is there really a ghost?" as a central inquiry rather than a settled fact, blending belief with critical thought.

💬 Quotes from the book

“they are there whether you believe or not.”

“From a discarded armoire to a distorted folktale, if it's old I'm hooked.”

📜 Historical context

This work sits comfortably within the tradition of regional ghost literature, akin to classic American folklore collections that explore local legends and unexplained phenomena. It combines elements of travelogue with historical investigation, reflecting a modern trend in paranormal studies that seeks to ground spectral narratives in documented events and geographical specificity, providing a deeper understanding of place through its unseen inhabitants.

📚 Glossary

Lagniappe
Apparition
Skiff

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How do local legends and historical events shape our perception of place, and how might they contribute to beliefs about hauntings?
  2. Consider a place you know well: what historical events or compelling stories could give rise to a local haunting legend there?
  3. Do you think the strong maritime tradition of New England makes its ghosts particularly distinct or persistent? Why or why not?

You might also like

See more →
Cover unavailableCharleston GhostsMartin, Margaret Rhett; , Simson, Alfred Charleston Ghosts
Martin, Margaret Rhett; , Simson, Alfred
Charleston Ghosts
$20.00
91