BOOK REVIEW:

‘Baltimore’s Harbor Haunts: True Ghost Stories’ by Melissa Rowell & Amy Lynwander (2005 Schiffer)

Review by Scott Lefebvre [Scott_Lefebvre@hotmail.com]

     The first feature one notices is the cover illustration.   Although it’s not awe-inspiring, it is different than most of the covers of the regional paranormal books I’ve been reading lately.   The illustration is different than what readers have come to expect and this makes it striking and inspired me to select it from the stack of new books I received for review.

     By way of comparison, usually the covers of these books have a layout featuring a photo taken by the author or a friend or acquaintance of the author, who sometimes serves the photographer role to accompany the role of the author as paranormal researcher.   If not that, then there’s a digitally jazzed up image somewhat evocative of the theme of the book.

     As attractive as the cover is, the contents of the book are even more interesting.   The co-authors are co-owners of “The Original Fell’s Point GhostWalk”, an award winning haunted walking tour of the neighborhood.   The authors have used their expertise to put together an enjoyable readable collection of the residual hauntings of Baltimore harbor.

     The authors present a variety of paranormal manifestations: “impressions”, “spirits”, “ghosts” & “time warps”.   In addition to presenting a variety of different manifestations, the locations encompass almost every conceivable location.   Restaurants, bars, taverns, private residences, boarding houses, brothels, graveyards, motels, antique stores and lighthouses are all given equal attention.   Also such famous personages as Edgar Allan Poe and Billie Holiday make guest appearances as paranormal manifestations.

     The stories are concise, sometimes almost abrupt, but the brevity does nothing to subtract from the quality of the stories.   It is with ease and no small amount of pleasure that I recommend this book, not only to residents of the Baltimore harbor area which the book’s chosen topic, but enthusiasts of paranormal books in general.

     This book is available from Schiffer Books at www.SchifferBooks.com

About the reviewer:

     Scott Lefebvre has probably read everything you've read.

     Mostly because when he was grounded for his outlandish behavior as a hyperactive school child, the only place he was allowed to go was the public library.

     His literary tastes were forged by the works of Helen Hoke, Alvin Schwartz and Stephen Gammell, Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Stephen King, Clive Barker, Edgar Allan Poe, and H. P. Lovecraft.

     His reviews have been published by a variety of in print and online media.

     His first book, 'Spooky Creepy Long Island', a collection of paranormal stories about Long Island, New York, is available from Schiffer Books. [ www.SchifferBooks.com ]