Member Reviews
Gencarella, a professor of folklore studies and an avid hiker, expertly weaves together tales of screeching ghosts, cursed treasures, and other strange phenomena that haunt the landscapes of Massachusetts. From the infamous Salem Witch Trials to the mysterious "Dover Demon," each story is well researched and retold, immersing readers in the rich tapestry of the state's haunted history.
Alongside each spine-tingling tale, Gencarella provides detailed route and trailhead information, empowering readers to embark on their own adventures and discover the sites where these legends originated. Whether you're a seasoned hiker seeking new trails or a history buff with a penchant for the paranormal, this book has something to offer.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
A great book for historians, true crime/paranormal interested people, and hikers. Highly recommended to anyone who lives in Massachusetts or is interesting in the topic.
I’m not a hiker, but this wildly entertaining and informative book has made me want to go hike the trails it mentions. The facts are mixed with some top notch storytelling. It would make a unique gift for any hiker.
An excellent read whether you are from Massachusetts or not. It was very interesting to read of all of the sites in the local area that I had not heard of before. And....a plus. My teenage daughter loved the book so much, she's using it as a reference for a fictional story she has to write for her class.
Oh my goodness! I want to actually visit Massachusetts now! After reading these great tails and learning about some spooky trails, I want to get out and find an adventure!
Stephen Gencarella did a great job with this one, and with one search on Goodreads, I found even more by this author that I am wanting to read. If you love a good scary tale and want to learn more about the lore and myths in Massachusetts, this is your book!
A nifty book for the hiker in the family. Wonderful stories interwoven with walks and hikes so you can relive the stories. A little heavy on research but it gives you a vivid sense of atmosphere and the prevailing thoughts of the day.
Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Massachusetts by Stephen Gencarella. Another book in the spooky trails collection. If you enjoy history or hiking and are in MA I strongly recommend this book. Great stories about real places with links to trails that are near by to hike.
History buffs and hiking aficionado's take note, author Stephen Gencarella has once again put together a fascinating and well-written collection with his newest book, Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Massachusetts. Using a mix of historical data and deft storytelling, Gencarella takes readers on a tour of Massachusetts led by tall tales and spine chilling accounts of what may or may not have happened in its long history. With stories ranging from the Salem Witch Trials to the "Dover Demon", legends old and new are told from varying perspectives and with a great deal of research and knowledge in a captivating and engaging way. With clear directions on how to travel to the various locations, this is an excellent resource and well worth the read.
I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. #netgalley
I've always been fascinated with Massachusetts and ghosts so this is perfect for me.
I received an advance copy of, Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Massachusetts, by Stephen Gencarella. This is a perfect book for Halloween. I liked reading up on the Salem witch trials, among a lot of other tales.
Being from Connecticut I do spend quite a bit of time in Massachusetts as well, including Salem. I've been very interested in finding some more spooky and creepy areas in which to explore and found quite a few! Lots of them close enough to Salem that I could make part of a weekend getaway. Quite a few will make a great day trip as well. Even though I know most places here in CT, fingers crossed a Spooky CT one is published soon as well!! Thank you so much for letting me explore this wonderful book ahead of time!!
Massachusetts has lots of creepy history, the Salem witch Trials, Lizzie Borden, Danvers Institution……The state is rife with spooky stories based on real events. Readers can read these stories, and if they dare, hike the trails associated with them and laid out in this guidebook. Whether you’re a ghost story enthusiast or a hiker looking for something unusual, you’ll find something to love in this book