Book: Haunted Land

If you’re looking to dive headfirst into the fall spirit, This Haunted Land: Reckoning with Ghosts and the Stories That Shaped America (Torrey House Press, $25) should do the trick. Local author Betsy Gaines Quammen takes readers across the nation through ghost stories and haunting tales, starting with Montana. The book opens with Betsy’s own ghostly experience, told with a refreshing honesty about her fear and instinct to run, without the theatrics. This sets the tone for what follows. Yes, there are multiple chilling aspects throughout, but this isn’t just another collection of spooky stories. Betsy explores the connection between those who came before us with how we experience those same landscapes today. From historic sites to forests and public lands you’ve probably been to countless times, this correlation helps one see familiar places with fresh eyes. Mixing history, travelogue, and some unheard tales, This Haunted Land will leave you wondering what specters may be strolling your own favorite trails.