Stars: 2.5 out of 5.

I love me a good scary campfire story or two, so I was really excited to pick up this collection. I have mixed feelings about it now that I finished it though.

On one hand, the author does a pretty good job describing the locations of the Adirondack State Park. The setup for the stories is top notch. The descriptions of the rugged landscapes, forests trails and rivers is rather enchanting. Makes me want to go visit some day.

Unfortunately, the stories themselves are... rather underwhelming. First of all, they are not scary. Even if I was reading them by a campfire in the wilderness, with the sounds of the night forest around me, I don't think I would be particularly scared.

I think the reason for this is that the writing is rather clinical. It lacks feelings, and a sense of foreboding that you absolutely NEED for a campfire story to work. The author writes settings well, but has a lot of issues with describing characters and action. So the stories read amateurish, even clunky sometimes.

On the plus side, this is a very short book, so if you want to read something different on a stormy night by the fire, this is not a bad option.

PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating of 3.5

A collection of stories all based in the Adirondack Park that are perfect for to tell around the campfire. Everyone who's visited the area knows that there's something different about it, and in these stories, we can definitely see why. Featuring both fiction and non-fiction stories, it's the perfect companion to a roaring fire, a blanket and some marshmallows.

I have developed a massive fascination with the Appalachia area. The personal accounts and stories that I've heard and read, the lore, the rules, the creatures, everything. It has a mystical quality surrounding it, in both a good and bad way, so I'm devouring every possible thing I can find that has the area even remotely mentioned. When I was approved for this, I was over the moon about it, and it was an enjoyable read, definitely had me feeling the spookies!

Being a collection of short stories, I'm not going to break down each one, but I'll try and give a cohesive explanation of my thoughts as a whole.

The stories covered a variety of different stories that include a mix of cryptids and ghosts. I found I enjoyed the ghost stories a bit more, and I also enjoyed the ones with the "seeing a weird thing in the trees" vibe. Though the bigfoot ones I found fun as well, straight off the bat I was yelling at the book, telling the person in the story "IT'S A BIGFOOT!" Especially when they decided to, you know, just hang around for the rest of the night, or another night. I did like that there were a couple of stories towards the end where they were more of an informational kinda vibe. It was interesting in one of them as it had a timeline of documented bigfoot sightings, and I enjoyed the story about the two friends who were in a fishing competition with each other, that one put a smile on my face and gave me a giggle.

I will admit, I was hoping for a bit more of an adult feel with the stories, they did feel like they were suitable for probably ages 11+ and I think I would have enjoyed darker stories geared more towards an adult audience, but that didn't detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the collection. I did like that the stories were written in a way that would translate well into a verbal retelling around a campfire. Another thing that I thought was awesome was that in the beginning of the book, it tells you how to set the mood for a night of spooky stories, whether that's around a campfire or sitting at home with a candle. And in the end of the book, it actually tells you how to make your own scary campfire story. I thought that was a brilliant addition and would appeal to people of all ages.

All in all, I thought this was a really cool collection of campfire stories. The were short enough that you didn't get bogged down in too many details, but long enough to give the stories a completed feel. This is a read that would translate well being retold verbally and I'm glad that I picked it up. I feel like I have a little bit more knowledge of the area in a geographical sense too which I loved. It was a fun little spooky read that I enjoyed but didn't quite hit the super spooky feels that I'm always looking for. A fun, creepy read that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and that was quite a quick little palette cleanser for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy for an honest review

I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend and I can’t wait to buy a copy for myself 🙂

Rating 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am normally not into books that contain multiple stories but decided to give this a try.. I absolutely loved it. The stories are short, and creepy.. The setting was perfect for each story and makes you think twice about going camping and hiking.. The Nye Wolf gave me goosebumps.
Perfect to tell the stories around a campfire!

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Globe Pequot and James Appleton for my arc!

If you are a fan of short stories, spooky stories and myths, and the upstate NY area then I highly recommend this book!! I absolutely devoured it in just about one sitting and will be adding a physical copy to my home library!

This book was rea)ly good by James Appleton! It's easy to see yourself sitting around the campfire reading these stories some based on fact and folklore, and still other downright scary. Two of my favorites were The Nye Wolf about a monstrous wolf, and The Lady In the Lake. After you finish reading these tales around the campfire, then you can create your own perhaps based on the myths and folklore of your region. I enjoyed this book, and I'm sure you will too! Check it out.

Perfect set of stories for a campfire outing!

Thanks NetGalley and Globe Pequot, North Country Books for the ARC!

Synopsis –

The Adirondack mountain ranges and its wilderness are a whole world of their own. Rightly named as ‘dismal wilderness’, the thousands of peaks, rivers and lakes here have a stunning beauty but at the same time harbor certain sinister elements. Naturally there are several legends and folklore that have been spun around them. May you be an experienced hiker, skilled mountaineer or just a normal person seeking a bit of outdoor adventure, the ADK park has something to offer you.

Review -

This is a collection of short stories, with each describing an experience which is either based on a real event or some woven around the legends, mysteries and lore surrounding swamps, rivers, bogs, the high peaks and ponds in the ADK. They also include stories about a few mysterious or unexplained ‘beings’ - be it the Big Foot, the Nye wolf and a few monsters. How absolutely terrifying! 😳

The stories held my attention through-out, invoking fear, goose-bumps , making my hair stand on the back of my neck. 😧I found it scary to read them in bed after lights out and could fully visualize them. I even got to enjoy a virtual experience – as though I was sitting around a campfire by a lake in the ADK, roasting s’mores and listening to these, feeling all riled up, looking over my shoulder and afraid before sleeping in the tent!

I’m truly fascinated by the Adirondack wilderness and could really feel how breathtakingly beautiful and serene it could be at one moment (during the day mostly), but turn incredibly awry, dangerous and even fatal at the next (after sunset) – no matter who you are and how well prepared you might be.

The best way to tell a story is to build fiction around facts or true life events and that’s exactly what the author has done here. I loved that, at the end we get a few steps, tips and tricks on how to create our own campfire stories.

Highly recommend if you need some spine-chilling stories to be told around your next campfire or outdoor adventure!

An anthology of horror stories all set in the beautiful and mysterious Adirondack Mountains of New York State. A hint of repetition in some of the stories but all very chilling and definitely something to read around a campfire. Just make sure to hike the trails of the Adirondacks with at least two other people. Especially enjoyed the legends section.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my review.

Collection of spooky stories and folk lore centered in the Adirondacks.

I didn’t quite mesh with the writing style. I wouldn’t say these stories are my type of horror, but definitely unsettling and spooky.

Stories you could read around a campfire at summer camp.

When you're in the mood for some campfire stories, James Appleton is ready to help you out. The Adirondacks are huge, as are their beauty and mystery.

There are secrets in the mountains. If you dare, you can go looking for them. If you don't dare, you can still stumble into them.

You might find yourself looking over your shoulder when you hear a noise. You might see nothing there when you turn around. But that doesn't mean the Nye Wolf isn't what made the sound. An elusive beast with sharp white teeth and a purple eye, it has roamed the mountains for a lifetime, you won't be its first victim and you probably won't be its last.

There's gold in the mountains, too. Stashed in a cave. Lots of people go looking for the lost treasure, not all of them return. You can go hunting for treasure and riches, but before going consider asking yourself why it's still there after all this time.

If you make a trip to the Adirondacks be sure to stay on the path. Unless, of course, the path you find yourself on was created over time by lost hikers following each other's last steps before disappearing.

Come prepared. But keep in mind the Adirondacks don't care about your plans.

This was a really enjoyable, short, spooky, outdoorsy read. It was insightful and I found the stories to be intriguing and enthralling. I am a huge fan of anything deep woods, cryptic, paranormal and supernatural, so naturally I devoured this book and thoroughly enjoyed its contents.
I think this would be the perfect read for those of you are fans of the strange, dark and mysterious...yes that's a Mr. Ballen reference lol. #IYKYK!
A wonderful collection of spooky stories.
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A huge thank you to Netgalley, Globe Pequot and James Appleton for my eARC ;all opinions are 100% my own and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

This is an enjoyable, entertaining group of short spooky stories all based in the Adirondack Mountains. These stories are fun on their own or to share aloud.

A collection of short horror stories located in the Adirondack Park which is vast (over 6 million acres!) & largely untamed, so is the perfect setting for these tales.

1. The Nye Wolf - a cunning predator roams the trails.

2. The Haunting of Eagle Cave - 2 boys go on a 'Goonies' style treasure hunt which ends in tragedy. (TW for claustrophobia).

3. Beware the Night at the Couchsachraga Bog - A couple trying to 'bag' the last 3 peaks to become 46-ers are plagued by crows on their trip.

4. A Scary Night on the Sacanoaga River - Joe heads into the wilderness alone to camp & fish - only he's not so alone after all.

5. The Ghost Town of Adirondac - Eve finds herself in the abandoned ghost town but it looks like she's reliving the last day.

6. The Curse of the Floating Logs - a lone hiker tries to climb a peak where several hikers have disappeared recently.

7. The Legend of the Faust Lumberjack - Emily & her parents move into their new home but are not the only occupants.

8. The Five Ponds Bigfoot - 2 friends have a frightening experience at a hunting cabin.

9. The Nye Wolf Returns - 2 brothers are woefully unprepared for their trek.

There then follows several short chapters about the legends of the Park such as 'The Legend of Champ', the US version of the Loch Ness Monster.

My favourites were 2, 4, & 5 as some of the others were a little repetitive at times., but these 3 were the most unnerving of the stories. It's a fairly short book & perfect for when you want to read something a little different. Overall I enjoyed reading it. 3.5 stars (rounded down).

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Globe Pequot/North Country Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Reading this book brings back memories of my childhood as we sat around a campfire telling stories. Building those memories with your family will insure the history lives on. These stories, or others like them, share a sense of connection. Share them with those you love, I did.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A scary collection of short stories. The writing is somewhat choppy and repetitive.
Enjoyed how the author incorporates the beauty and attractions of the ADK while also the setting the scene for readers to tell their own campfire stories.
I did find it a bit chauvinistic…”many outdoorsman and women seek to achieve”. How about outdoor enthusiast or nature lover? Also, per the dictionary an outdoorsman is considered “a person” and therefore gender neutral.

This book is a fun group of campfire tales about the Adirondacks. For many of the stories, I didn’t realize just how unsettled I was until it was time to put my Kindle away and I noticed I had goosebumps or was thinking about them when I tried to go to sleep. Perfectly eerie little stories, I especially liked a lot of the legends discussed at the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and Globe Pequot, North Country Books for an eARC copy of Adirondack Campfire Stories.

First and foremost, I have to say that the watermark of 'For Review Purposes Only' was a real distraction to reading any of the stories in this particular book. Thankfully, as someone who has spent all of their life in the ADK's, this lore was familiar to me and this is a book I would love to read while camping.

The Adirondack Park is filled with a lore unlike anywhere else in the world. Maybe it’s the beauty that surrounds the Park thanks to the thousands of mountains, lakes, and rivers within. Maybe it’s the history of woodsmen struggling to survive in a place that’s been aptly nicknamed, “dismal wilderness.” Hard to say, really. But everyone who visits this rugged, beautiful mountain country will agree; there is a mystery about the Adirondacks. In this collection of spooky and supernatural stories set in the Adirondacks – and perfect to tell around a roaring campfire – author James Appleton taps into the lore of the Park from its well-trodden towns and trails to hidden places off the beaten path. Adapted from Appleton’s popular podcast, Adirondack Campfire Stories features spooky stories, both fiction and non-fiction, that take place in the mountains, on the trails, and at the lakes of real places here in the Park. Tapping into the folklore of this majestic region, Adirondack Campfire Stories will give readers haunting experiences under the stars for years to come.

A very fun collection of typical scary campfire stories that you would hear while out camping in the woods. We have ghost stories, mysteries and plenty of murder. This was my first book by this author, but it will not be my last!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC of Adirondack Campfire Stories by James Appleton in exchange for an honest review! I think if you're looking for spooky campfire stories, you absolutely can't go wrong with this book! It's a great collection of stories and Adirondack folklore. The way this book is set up allows for readers to pick a story or two to read night after night on their next camping trip! Definitely don't try to read it all in one go, as I said it's much better suited for prolonging the fun by reading/experiencing the stories one at a time! I'd recommend this to anyone planning on sitting around a campfire (especially in the Adirondacks), or really to anyone that just wants some enjoyable and spooky tales! You'll find exactly what you're looking for in this book!

Perfectly sized stories to read around the campfire. All centered around the spooky Adirondacks. Great stuff for all ages and all genres.