Haunted Ground: Ghost Stories from the Rock

by Dale Jarvis

Ghost stories are found in every corner of Newfoundland and Labrador, and no one knows them better than storyteller and folklorist Dale Jarvis. In this collection of ghostly tales, Jarvis introduces you to old legends, including spectral Viking longships, encounters with ghostly ferrymen, and strange voices on the trapline, while exploring classic elements of local folklore such as tokens and premonitions, bad weather lights, and the Old Hag herself. In addition to historical tales, you will also come face to face with some of the province’s eeriest urban legends, from the mysterious Red Eyes of Glovertown, to the chilling west coast Webber, to the Phantom Drummer of Conception Bay North.

With leaping witches, dancing devils, phantom locomotives, and even a ghostly kitten or two, there is no mistaking that you are exploring truly haunted ground. Welcome to Newfoundland and Labrador—a place so steeped in history and tradition that some inhabitants never, ever, want to leave.

Genres: Nonfiction

226 pages, Paperback

Published September 20, 2017

About the author

Dale Gilbert Jarvis is a folklorist, researcher, writer and storyteller living and working in St. John’s. He holds a B.Sc. (honours) in anthropology from Trent University and an MA in folklore from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He is the Executive Director of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. By night, Dale is the proprietor of the St. John’s Haunted Hike ghost tour and raconteur of local tales. Author of several books on Newfoundland and Labrador ghost stories and folklore, he is a tireless promoter of local culture.

Reviews

[Karen Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. If you like ghost stories, this is a great book for your collection. Loved it.

[Caley Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and highly entertaining collection of otherworldly tales and legends from all over the province. I was personally delighted to see that the Webber was included and read all of the variations of its origin story.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Dale Jarvis and have read all of his other books, so naturally, I was super excited to get this latest read as a Christmas gift.

I really enjoyed the stories in this book and read through it in less than a week. To me, it was a great collection of stories from places in Newfoundland I have spent a lot of time, which was nice to read about. The only thing that made this book not one of my favorites of Jarvis is that it was missing the spooky factor in a lot of the tales which is something I have come to really like about his book.

However, I think the book did its job in broadcasting the rich personal stories all across the province which was what I think it was intended for.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good. I didn't find this book as fascinating as the ones I've previously read by Dale Jarvis. I found this book relied heavily on the folklore and analyzing the stories (and I could be wrong) while I found the others I've read have been centered on the stories. I enjoyed the moments in this book where personal stories were given from different communities around Newfoundland - and I especially enjoy hearing those from central, my old stomping ground. It's always exciting to read stories about these places that you've visited over and over again and never really knowing the legends behind them.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the mix of history, folklore, and just wonderful storytelling in Haunted Ground. But then, Dale is an amazing storyteller and these stories of hauntings from around Newfoundland really draw you in and make you want to read more (even if the wind is howling and the lights are flickering and what was that sound!?). His storytelling drew me in, and at the same time made me think of my own experiences with ghosts and fairies and the like.
As always, I look forward to more from Dale!

[Erika Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read! I am never disapointed in reading Dale's stories! My favorite story is "The cat who isn't there", although horrible that kittens were drowned :(. I also love good hag stories! My fiance and I got "hagged" on the same night once, we both woke from falling and had bruises each other for reaching out for each other. It was a good giggle the next morning! I completely recommend all of his books!!

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book about ghosts and other paranormal occurrences from Newfoundland. I particularly liked the chapter about sightings in and around the Mount Carmel cemetery in St John’s as my brother lives in a house that backs onto the graveyard (and he says it is creepy). The author also took the time to share and compare similar stories about reoccurring ghosts although some of the witnesses were not speaking from first hand experience.

[Ted Cartier · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book provides excellent data it is not an enjoyable read. It is full of interesting facts but reads more like a text book and is very dry and becomes boring quickly. if your interest is in true haunted stories, there are many far better books to read.

[Noelle Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Dale Jarvis! An absolute must read if you enjoy folklore and ghost stories!

[Harold Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's title pretty much says it ...

[Henry Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

the best story in this book was the last one. I too have experienced this on several occasions.

[Nexus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this it was very interesting indeed

[Christina Squires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! What I like to call a 'bathroom reader', a serial of quick stories. Very much enjoyed hearing about the history of this province and the ghosts that follow in its path

[Maya Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Taylor Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books was perfect great to hear about stories from around our home here in Newfoundland


Read while at work on Tanker Mia Desgagnes ⚓️