On Halloween 2001, acting Governor Jane M. Swift signed a bill exonerating the last five women who died during the Salem Witch Trials and whose innocence was never officially acknowledged by the local government. The fact that 20 people were put to death for crimes based on spectral evidence is--ironically--an ideal setup for harvesting ghosts. Haunted Salem & Beyond takes advantage of Salem's heritage to introduce another supernatural aspect when most people are more interested in exploiting its association with witchcraft. Whatever points this book scores in taking advantage of this overlooked creative slant, it loses a few for its lack of depth.

This slim 2001 volume contains 26 true ghost stories of Salem's netherworld, black and white photos of the sites, a bibliography, and list of local touring companies.

The apparition of Giles Corey, an octogenarian who was crushed to death when he refused to cooperate with local authorities during the Salem Witch Trials, warns of impending disasters coming to the area. At Witch Hollow Farm in Boxford, one former resident claims she heard her name being called and seeing a green light shining from within her bedroom, but it faded when she opened the door. After the fishing schooner Charles Haskell collides with another during a storm, the Haskell's crew refuses to work after dead fishermen from the sunk boat climbed aboard and went to work as usual.

I have taken a serious personal interest in the Massachusetts colonies after learning a few generations of my ancestors were among its early settlers. Several of those executed in the witch trials had already prolifically propagated before they died and have a wealth of descendants. Genealogists are frequently formidable historians themselves, but the documents they usually pursue provide facts with few details. Here's a book that focuses on the outcome of conflicts and emotions that may not receive much coverage and yet give new insights as to how our progenitors lived.

Unfortunately, Author Lynda Lee Macken falls short of providing enough detail to make her tales satisfying. Her accounts consist of warmed-over information that this reviewer has already learned from other sources without producing anything fresh. There is no consultation with primary sources and she offers no new personal insights to these paranormal anecdotes.

On the other hand, the list of local touring companies is a welcome ingredient that can be helpful to anyone who intends to sightsee this eclectic aspect of the Salem area. Unfortunately, one of the websites Macken supplied turned out to be for Star Trek fans. Readers requiring magnifying glasses should appreciate its large type, although the choice of font would be a poor one for reading in long sittings.

Determining Macken's intent in putting Haunted Salem & Beyond together makes it difficult to judge how many stars it deserves. Noting its graphic design and the brevity of its accounts, one can only assume that it is meant as an introductory document to Salem's ghostlore. For anyone looking for something more comprehensive or scientific investigation should look for other resources, but this book can be a helpful guide to anyone visiting the area.


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Originally posted at Amazon.com on February 7, 2002. Updated with minor revision for Epinions.


More Massachusetts ghost folklore:

Ghosts of Boston Town, by Holly Mascott Nadler

Recommended: Yes

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