cover image The Ghost Chronicles: A Medium and a Paranormal Scientist Investigate 17 True Hauntings

The Ghost Chronicles: A Medium and a Paranormal Scientist Investigate 17 True Hauntings

Maureen Wood, Ron Kolek. Sourcebooks, $14.99 (336pp) ISBN 978-1-4022-2511-6

With a gaggle of friends and equipment in tow, Wood (the medium) and Kolek (the scientist) explore allegedly haunted New England houses, restaurants, and historical sites. Kolek, the founder of the New England Ghost Project, offers scientific explanations and observations regarding the realm of the unknown while Wood flexes her ability to channel the deceased, who appear in the form of ghosts and poltergeists. The duo turn up their fair share of spooky phenomena, including phantom infant cries, vanishing knickknacks and ghostly apparitions. More intense encounters include an apparent exorcism in which a woman and her dog are tortured by a poltergeist. Though the pair do a commendable job balancing the spooky goings-on with rational explanations and a healthy measure of doubt, it's difficult to believe this will convince a skeptic. Still, the partners maintain a breezy excitement throughout, and the episodic nature of each chapter makes for great serial before-bed reading.