A Guide to Haunted West Virginia

by Walter Gavenda, Michael T. Shoemaker

Book by Gavenda, Walter, Shoemaker, Michael

272 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2002

Reviews

[M. Sprouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been many books written about West Virginia haunts and supernatural events, the authors Gavenda and Shoemaker, tout this as a guidebook to West Virginia ghosts. I liked the guidebook idea and that their effort has produced a book well above the norm for West Virginia paranormal books. There are several ghosts and stories that I have not seen in other WV ghost books or folktales. The writing is often humorous, engaging and a sometimes skeptical. Overall a more than satisfying style.

On the negative side, from the authors own volition, the book was written by visiting writers who are paranormal investigators who wrote the book over only a few seasons driving around West Virginia on weekends. Even though several of this type of book are authored by researchers who have spent decades collecting and researching ghost stories from around the state, these two writers did fine. I just have to think, how good could this have been if they had taken more time?

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first saw this book for sale at the alluring, historic Glen Ferris Inn, which is on the back cover of the book itself. I eventually purchased the book after seeing it again at the Chimney Corner Store, which is about five miles upstream on the New River from the inn. The writing includes an exceptional balance of the captivating personal adventures undertaken by the coauthors in researching the stories and wonderfully-obscure, entrancing legends and folklore from every region of the state. The massive amount of time, effort, and research put into this book is made evident through its extensive storytelling, imagery, and oral accounts. I have read through this book countless times, and I would highly recommend it to any reader, even one who does not believe in the paranormal.

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you don’t believe in ghost this is still a good book. Because you can get just a bunch of ghost stories that are from a state that you wouldn’t visit otherwise

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and interesting book. I knew of and have visited a fair amount of these sites but learned of others that I would like to check out someday.

[Dolly]

interesting quotes:

"First, I discovered just how big West Virginia is." (p. 3)

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