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Dixie Spirits: True Tales of the Strange and Supernatural in the South

Christopher K. Coleman
Cumberland House Publishing (2008)
ISBN 9781581826715
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (10/08)

“Dixie Spirits: True Tales of the Strange and Supernatural in the South” is a collection of ghost stories from the American South.  “What is it about the South that makes it so congenial to the supernatural?  Is it those long, languid, moonlit nights, redolent with the scent of honeysuckle and magnolia, that mesmerize the senses?  Is it Dixie’s turbulent and tragic past that has roused so many restless spirits?  Or is it something less tangible, less definable, that stirs the Southern soul and draws the darkness near?” (p.11)

Whatever the case may be, the South is filled with stories of haunting and ghostly activity and this book explores many of the well known, as well as some of the more obscure incidences.  The book is divided up by state and focuses on 3-5 stories for each area.  Included in this book are tales from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. 

I was particularly drawn to the group of stories from Louisiana as I had visited many “haunted” locations throughout the New Orleans and Baton Rouge area.  I was pleased to see accounts from places that I had been, such as the Myrtles Plantation.  It is always interesting to read about areas that you have experienced firsthand. 

I found the tales to be very interesting and informative.  Many of the stories in the book were of places that I had not heard of before but would love to visit if I had the chance.  Particularly helpful is the address information of the featured locations as well as listings of some of the other haunted places located in each state.  I also like that websites of some of the locations are provided as this allows the reader to get more information.  The only thing that I wished was different about the book was that I would have liked to see some photos of the areas and there weren’t any.  However, if you go to some of the websites provided you are able to view them there. 

“Dixie Spirits: True Tales of the Strange and Supernatural in the South” is a wonderful book for anyone interested in “haunted hotels and mansions, diabolical curses, mysterious monsters, and assorted fearsome phenomena” (from the back cover).  It would make an excellent reference book for those interested in traveling to these areas.

    

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