I'm a spooky travel book lover, and this one is a perfect addition to my collection!

This book is really well made. From the spooky history and famous locations to the "what to do" and "where to go", as well as travel tips, it feels like everything is there to help you plan the perfect trip.

Like I said, I love spooky travel guides and the ones that I own cover a lot of international locations, so I'm pleased that this one focuses on the United States of America since I didn't have these cities in my other books :
1- Salem, Massachusetts
2- Los Angeles, California
3- Marietta, Georgia
4- Portland, Oregon
5- Providence, Rhode Island
6- Austin, Texas
7- New York City, New York
8- Duluth, Minnesota
9- Las Vegas, Nevada
10- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
11- St. Augustine, Florida
12- Athens, Ohio

Overall, this was an excellent read and I can't wait to do all these travels of terror.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS (non-fiction) as well as the authors for this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. It’s my pleasure!

#NetGalley #SOURCEBOOKS(non-fiction) #TravelsofTerror #MegHafdahl #KellyFlorence

Title: Travels of Terror
Authors: Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl
Format: eBook
Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS (non-fiction)
Publication Date: August 27, 2024

This book was just as much fun as I knew it would be. I’m never disappointed by Florence and Hafdahl and this was no exception. This is a travel guide that includes places to sleep, to eat, and to shop if you are a horror fan. I felt like I was right along with the authors as they experienced these places and I felt like I was among friends. Some of the places featured in this volume were familiar, some not. Every horror fan is familiar with places like Salem, MA and the infamous Amityville house in Amityville, NY. Not all of us will think to seek out places that please our black little hearts in Rhode Island or even St. Augustine, FL. Meg and Kelly do a thorough job of giving us places to visit that have the most chances of fulfilling our horror cravings. They also give us recommendations for places to eat and shop as well as books and movies that take place in the location in question. I also really love the addition of infamous as well as famous residents. I even learned some things about my own home state. Pretty fun. I think I’ll start there whenever I get the chance to travel. Thankfully, Meg and Kelly have provided a nearly complete vacation itinerary for us!

As was mentioned above, I was surprised to learn of a few hidden gems in my home state of California. I’ve been to the Roosevelt and the Hollywood sign, of course. I’ve visited the magic that is Dark Delicacies and the Mystic Museum. All are fun, although I’ve never experienced anything paranormal in any of them. I love Halloween Town also. It’s the best Halloween store ever! I have visited Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights multiple times. I haven’t visited The Cauldron, which is a witchy bar in Buena Park, CA. I haven’t even heard of it. I’ll be going soon for sure. I loved the Hidden Gem sections in each chapter. They were full of lesser known sights and things to do for the horror lover. I also loved how much history was woven in with the authors’ personal experiences. My favorite chapter was the one on Salem, MA.

All in all, this is a super fun guide perfect for anyone who craves the darker sides of history and entertainment. The ghouls are all kinds of fun and relatable. This book is well-written and I can’t wait to check out some of their suggestions.

I love the cover so much! It is fun and colorful and would be perfect for a horror lovers bookshelf!

My ARC seemed to be missing the location pages in the "Welcome to" parts. I didn't get one until Pittsburgh and that was the only one that showed up. I also think some pictures were missing throughout the book. But! I'm sure the actual copies will have all of these and the pictures I did see were really cool.

Some special highlights for me: any mentions of George A. Romero, Frogman because I live near Loveland, Ohio, one of my best friends visits the St. Augustine Torture Museum yearly.

I think there may have been a typo with the Torture Museum because it states it is the largest history museum in the US but I think it meant to say torture museum?

Overall, this is a great collection of haunted places. I love that it provides historical backgrounds, places to visit, what books/movies take place, and more. Very well rounded and informative!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kelly Florence, Meg Hafdahl, and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read Travels of Terror. I have written this review voluntarily.

It was so cool to read this book and to be able to learn about spooky places in the US, informative, fun and creepy!

When we travel I love to add some spooky locations to check out on our trips. So a whole book dedicated to spooky locales across America is right up my alley. Tales of Terror covers everything you need to know to make your travels as fully spine-tingling and mysterious as possible. It covers chilling history, hidden gems, activities, shopping and where to eat. It even includes spooky books and movies that take place in each area to get in the mood before going.

I loved the stories of local legends, true crime, and dark history. Not to mention reading about the personal experiences of the authors and I felt it added a lot of charm. There was the standard advice of course but also advice that a lot of guides forget to include such as the best way to get around these different areas as well as safety, and ease of mobility and accessibility which can be pretty vital and differs so much from place to place. Reading about the local businesses and people there and going in depth into the background to give context about the different communities was also really nice. (Not to worry they also cover the more well known attractions as well) Another thing I enjoyed in particular were the portions on women you should know. The illustrations were wonderful but at the same time I wanted to see the actual places being described and wish there were some photos included, but that’s something easily remedied by hopping online of course. (and when you do don’t forget to check out the author’s Horror Rewind podcast and other books such as The Science of Women in Horror!)

Whether you’re planning your next trip and just want to read up on the spooky fascinating history and prominent figures across the US this is a really useful guide. Perfect for planning an autumn or summerween trip!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the Source Books. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It was fine. Being a Massachusetts local, I paid most attention to the Providence and Salem entries, which were fine. However, there is a serious threat of some of these sites mentioned being closed as they are reliant on tourism. There also was no real depth given, though I did appreciate the authors including scholarly books.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.

Book Review: Travels of Terror: Strange and Spooky Spots Across America by Kelly Florence & Meg Hafdahl

Rating: 4 Stars

As someone who has always been fascinated by the eerie and unusual, I was thrilled to dive into Travels of Terror: Strange and Spooky Spots Across America. This book is a delightful mix of travel guide and horror anthology, written by the talented duo Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl, co-hosts of the compelling Horror Rewind podcast. If you're like me, you love a good scare and a thrilling adventure—this book is your perfect companion.

The authors take you on an exciting road trip across the United States, exploring some of the most chilling locations steeped in horror, history, and true crime. They’ve meticulously compiled a list of what to do, where to stay, and even where to grab a bite while visiting these spooky hotspots. The combination of personal anecdotes from their travels alongside detailed recommendations makes this guide feel both intimate and informative. From the ghost tours in St. Augustine to haunted hotels in Los Angeles, every location is packed with intriguing tidbits—from pop culture references to chilling historical facts.

One thing I absolutely adored was how they incorporated personal experiences into the narrative. As someone who appreciates a good storyteller, I found their voices relatable and engaging, almost as if we were sharing ghost stories around a campfire. The authors also highlight hidden gems and notorious true crimes that add depth to each location—perfect for any horror aficionado or history buff.

Speaking of depth, I have to mention the cover art! I mean, wow! The design is striking and sets the perfect tone for what’s inside. I just wish the interior had included more color to match that vibrant cover. Nevertheless, the book is well-structured and easy to navigate, making it a fantastic reference for planning your own ghoulish getaway.

If you're looking to explore creepy places, this book is a must-read. It not only provides practical information on where to stay, eat, and shop but also suggests books and movies that align with the spooky theme of each location. I found it fascinating how they connected modern cultural references with historical events—a clever touch that enhances the reading experience.

In conclusion, Travels of Terror is a fun and well-written guide that will inspire you to venture out and explore the darker side of America. Whether you're planning a trip or just want to learn about hauntings and true crime tales, this book is sure to entertain. I give it 4 stars out of 5—an enjoyable read for anyone who loves traveling and exploring creepy places! So grab your flashlight and get ready for an adventure; you won't be disappointed!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

I loved this book and I will be purchasing a hard copy when the book is released. This book was an interesting ride through so many sites that are indicated as haunted or the site of something sinister. Very intriguing. There are great photos and the site information makes you want to check out some of the locations. Can't wait to have a copy to keep for travel reference.

Spooky season is soon…and I can’t wait! While I wait Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl has some great places I can visit to get spooky vibes in Austin. Not just Austin (definitely stay at The Driskill!) but also St. Augustine, Los Angeles, Portland, Pittsburg to name a few. They have compiled a handful of spots for horror, history, and true crime, and researched the history and pop culture.

Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Sign me up for the next road trip! A great guide for all things spooky in various cities around the USA. There are easily digestible stories, advice, places to stay, and places to eat in this guide. It even includes some creepy little illustrations to pique the reader's interest. I enjoyed reading these tidbits and found myself mentally planning my summer vacation 2025! Time to add it to my travel book shelf!

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks, and authors Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. "Travels of Terror: Strange and Spooky Spots Across America" is expected to be published August 27, 2024!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This book has interesting tales and places around the US. Some I’d heard of and others were new to me. Each section offered a bit of history of each city along with some spooky facts, places to stay, restaurants and quirky, interesting stories to get your horror fix.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book

Pretty neat book overall. It talks about 12 American cities from Los Angeles, to Salem, MA, from Portland, Oregon to Athens, Ohio. The book gives the best places to eat, what to do, where to stay, for each city, and gives you some trip suggestions for spooky things to do just outside of the city. It also gives a "spookiest thing that happened" and a "true crime" event in each city. It also gives you a "woman to know about" from each city. I didn't know the book would kind of "focus" on women like that. Maybe the author's podcast is something about infamous females? I don't know anything about their podcast though so, I don't know.

The two things I didn't like were there were only 12 cities, and they didn't go into much detail about what happened. It's more of a travel guide to spooky places than it is a book about the spooky places

This was so much fun. I really enjoyed learning of the spooky places. Would definitely recommend this booknto others.

Travels of Terror appealed to my morbid imagination, making it impossible to look away. I loved how horror books and movies that took place in each of these places were showcased. I enjoy reading about disturbing history and alleged hauntings. The writers do bring a lot of their personal experiences of the places they describe, making for an engaging experience.

I love going to literary themed places when I do travel, like when I went to the Morgan Library in New York City. However this was before I was a horror fan but now I want to go back there. Salem and New Orleans are already on my bucket list so I appreciate the tips for places for a horror lover to travel. The other places sound like a lot of fun however
I do not have the means or the time to travel as much as I'd like to. I have to live vicariously through books and pictures of other people's travels.

Recently I had a writing teacher say that in considering a writing guidebook it is helpful to ask what position of privelege the book is written from. The same should be asked about travel books. Meg is the wife of a Mayo doctor and Kelly has the flexibility of a university professor. This is more privelege than most people (including myself) will ever have! There is nothing wrong with this privelege. It's just fair to point this out when considering the scope of what was included in this book.

I highly recommend this book to horror lovers who like to travel. Even if a reader is unable to travel, it is a great book for armchair travel with all of the fun spooky stories that are included. The lists of books and movies that are set in each place are a fun feature that an armchair traveler would be able to enjoy.

I will have a better experience when I purchase a copy. Don't read this one as an ebook! I did for my review copy and it obviously broke up the way the pages were designed to be displayed. If you can't afford or justify purchasing a physical copy, definitely get a copy from your library instead of settling for the price of an ebook. I can't wait to see the layout as it was designed when it releases!

Very well researched and entertaining book. Every chapter had me wanted to visit that destination. Love the graphics but also would've been nice to have some pictures.

Travels of Terror: Strange and Spooky Spots Across America
Kelly Florence, Meg Hafdahl
Are you fascinated by ghost stories? Then why not take a trip looking for the ghostly terrors.
A few years ago, our 15-year-old grandson told us about a hotel in Louisville, Ky that was famous for ghosts. He insisted on stopping in and looking around. A member of the staff was gracious enough to share the story of the ghost. They allowed us to look around the basement and the ballroom. It was fun. He enjoyed it.
I’ve had pizza Brandenburg, KY at Jail House Pizza, famous for their ghosts. The restaurant is in an old jail. You can take your pizza upstairs to the old jail cells and eat behind bars with the door closed. You can sit in an electric chair. There is a hangman’s noose with Plexiglas covering the hole where the unfortunate prisoners were dropped through. For a fee you can spend the night in the building.
Authors Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl share their unique journey with readers. They have traveled the US looking for and exploring the spots where a real crime was committed, where history is filled with terror and spots where terrible things took place. This is such a rare book, fun, thrilling and spooky.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a review copy.

A fantastic book. I enjoyed every minute. I know several people who would also like this book. It's a keeper.

This was really fun! I really enjoyed The Science of Witchcraft by these 2 ladies, so I wanted to check this out.

I love the layout, the spooky movies and books, where to stay.. it all has that "spooky" feel to it.

My absolute favourite "Things To Do" was Bat Watching on Congress Bridge in Austin, Texas 🦇 ..but they all sound like a blast!

The only thing I didn't love was the mention of most of the famous true crime cases. I know it's all the "rave" but it always gives me the ick when someone's murder is used for entertainment.

I was pleasantly surprised that the Salem Witch Trials were handled with empathy and the understanding of how horrible they were.. even if the town itself completely capitalises on it for tourism's sake.

SpOoOoky 👻🎃

As someone who loves a bit of dark tourism, I think Kelly and Meg hit it out of the park with this one!

If you’re a traveler who likes a bit of the weird, it is so good to realize that you aren’t alone AND to get recommendations for food, stays, and shopping. I love the places they recommend in the book- I’ve even been to some of them!

It’s so fun to get a bit of the history (the creepy history) woven into the story and there’s a Women You Should Know part in every city that highlights a woman (past or present) who did big things and made things happen.

This is such a fun gem of a travel book! If you enjoy any type of weird or spooky travel, you need this.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an arc of this!

As someone who doesn't like traveling at all I still found this book to be interesting even though it's definitely made with those who travel to see spooky things in mind. Maybe if you're planning a haunted road trip bring this with you.