Ghost Stories of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Pinellas County: Tales from a Haunted Peninsula

by Deborah Frethem

Does the restless ghost of a murder victim haunt a Gulfport home? Does a doomed pirate search for his lost treasure at John's Pass? Are sea captains and Civil War soldiers still combing the area, years after their deaths?
With wit and style, the Queen of Haunts, Deborah Frethem, calls upon years of experience as the general manager and guide of Tampa Bay Ghost Tours to present legends of sinister deeds and whispers of the past from Florida's haunted peninsula.

Genres: Ghosts

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2007

Reviews

[Jason Fetters · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a native Florida and a Tampa resident, I found this to be a fascinating read. Pinellas County is right next door and Frethem brings the area new life with actual historical accounts weaved take with myths and supernatural legends. You wouldn't think that the Sunshine State and the tourists areas of the Gulf Coast Beaches, John's Pass, and Downtown St Pete would be scary. I think most people would think an old colonial home in quaint New England would have better haunted houses but considered the ghost pirate ships in the Intracoastal Waterway near John's Pass that recall the ghastly ghost ship in the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner or the haunted beaches with restless spirits roaming for hundreds of miles along the Florida Gulf Coast. A vast stretch that rivals any haunted house not matter how large.
For tourists off the beaten path, try to see if you can see ghosts at one of the many bed and breakfast inns or hotels in Pass-A-Grille, Gulfport, St. Pete, Clearwater, and along Gulf Blvd. I went on the ghost tour of Downtown St Pete one Fall and had a wonderful time. After reading Ghost Stories of St Pete, you will mostly likely want to take the lovely walking tour at night and seek out what may be staring back at you from the window.

[Cheri Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely educational and extremely interesting!

This was a delightful and fun read! I love about an hour or so from these places, so it was great reading about the history and ghostly history of these places. I'm definitely going to suggest to my roommate who has a son living/working there to check some of these places out. I would love to, but traveling is to hard on me. I love this series of history/ghostly history and am looking into ThriftBooks to purchase the books I can't get on Kindle. I really have enjoyed the few I've read so far!!!

[TAMMY WRIGHT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts

Who doesn't enjoy a good ghost story.? I love a good ghost story especially when they are friendly and like to play pranks or move objects around and make us think we may haw misplaced the item or items in question.. I think it would be fun to have a friendly prankster kind of ghost about. 👻

[Brandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was hard to read at times...the stories seem "fractured" in their telling. There are better written ghost books. Also, I wish there were more photos of the places for each story and/or a map so you could see where they were/are located. I have been to this area and it was hard to follow at times.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

These aren't the most thrilling ghost stories and the writing is somewhat ho-hum. Howeer, for residents of Pinellas County, you'll enjoy recognizing many of the sites mentioned and learning some history you probably didn't know about places and people in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, etc.

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the ghosts of st Petersburg Florida, Abd surrounding beaches... id recommend as a fun read for any one who is intrigued by paranormal stories ..whether you live in St Pete, or Vacation here! Could be a fun beach read!

[Robin Westover · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite places. Awesome book on city lore.

[Mary Mulligan]

It talks of a basement in a St. Pete story. Sorry this doesn’t mesh for me.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Stories

This is good book of short stories to pass the time, especially if you plan on visiting Florida. Thatories are fun and delightful.

[Kathleen Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read about place near home.

[mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

its a crazy concept that there are ghost stories about that place to think that its claimed to be true..

[Heathir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book of local legends and lore! Highly recommended