A compelling investigation into supernatural events and local lore on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island is known worldwide for its arresting natural beauty, but those who live here know that it is also imbued with a palpable supernatural energy. Researcher Shanon Sinn found his curiosity piqued by stories of mysterious sightings on the island—ghosts, sasquatches, sea serpents—but he was disappointed in the sensational and sometimes disrespectful way they were being retold or revised. Acting on his desire to transform these stories from unsubstantiated gossip to thoroughly researched accounts, Sinn uncovered fascinating details, identified historical inconsistencies, and now retells these encounters as accurately as possible. Investigating 25 spellbinding tales that wind their way from the south end of the island to the north, Sinn explored hauntings in cities, in the forest, and on isolated logging roads. In addition to visiting castles, inns, and cemeteries, he followed the trail of spirits glimpsed on mountaintops, beaches, and water, and visited Heriot Bay Inn on Quadra Island and the Schooner Restaurant in Tofino to personally scrutinize reports of hauntings. Featuring First Nations stories from each of the three Indigenous groups who call Vancouver Island home—the Coast Salish, the Nuu-chah-nulth, and the Kwakwaka’wakw—the book includes an interview with Hereditary Chief James Swan of Ahousaht.

Ghost stories from Canada’s most haunted city, including tales from iconic sites such as the Empress hotel, Hatley Castle, and Ross Bay Cemetery. Beautiful, charming Victoria is world renowned for its seaside attractions, flourishing gardens, and breathtaking ocean views. But looming behind its picture-perfect façade is a city shrouded in mystery, with restless, disembodied beings that whisper ghastly tales of mystery, violence, and horror. Known as British Columbia’s most haunted city, Victoria is teeming with a plethora of spirits. Through this brand-new collection of disturbing tales, you’ll come face to face with: The Grey Lady who chills hotel guests to the bone A decorated World War I soldier who protects tenants from something sinister An inconsolable child who haunts the pool area of a defunct hotel The blood-soaked spectre who runs through the infamous Fan Tan Alley to escape capture The ghost of Robert Johnson, who perpetually re-enacts his own suicide The phantom of a cranky hermit who plagues a beautiful lake house A spinster who gives tours of her childhood home And many more Get to know Victoria’s best-known hauntings along with some you may have not have heard before.

In his new collection of ghost stories, Ian Gibbs combs the Terminal City for its spooks and apparitions, from Gastown to Grouse Mountain, West Van to New West. In his new collection of ghost stories, ghost-walk guide and podcaster Ian Gibbs investigates the greater Vancouver area in search of the city’s paranormal. These thirty stories cover more famous hauntings like Waterfront Station and the Orpheum Theatre as well as private houses and the apartments of friends and readers. Gibbs’s research style balances history, personal experience, and input from residents, employees, local mediums, and paranormal experts. Among others, you’ll learn about the footsteps at the Irish Heather the spirited tunnels at Riverview the pranksters of Hycroft Manor the haunted washrooms at the Alibi Room the ghost of Grace Ceperley at Fairacres Mansion the murmurings at the Cannery and “The Tall” and “The Small” of the Royal Crown Castle From Gastown to Grouse Mountain, West Van to New West, Gibbs combs the Terminal City for its apparitions and presents his findings in a conversational style that meets readers where they are, whether history enthusiast, interested skeptic, or supernaturally sensitive.

A collection of haunting legends, delightful yarns, and spine-tingling ghost stories. Swathed in mist, surrounded by the secretive sea, wind wailing like the lost souls of sailors around its shores, Prince Edward Island is the ideal setting for the strange and incredible, even the supernatural. Islanders have handed down, from one generation to the next, many legends and ghost stories of visiting spirits, buried pirate treasure, sea serpents, and ghostly apparitions. Who dares to doubt the veracity of the sailors who met a phantom schooner, the fishermen who fled from a sea monster, or the countless Islanders who have dug for pirate gold, only to be terrified by something uncanny and to have abandoned their search? Curl up on a dark night with this new second edition and find yourself transported to the magical and mysterious Prince Edward Island.

"Vancouver Island is known worldwide for its arresting natural beauty, but those who live here know that it is also imbued with a palpable supernatural energy. Researcher Shanon Sinn found his curiosity piqued by stories of mysterious sightings on the island--ghosts, sasquatches, sea serpents--but he was disappointed in the sensational and sometimes disrespectful way they were being retold or revised. Acting on his desire to transform these stories from unsubstantiated gossip to thoroughly researched accounts, Sinn uncovered fascinating details, identified historical inconsistencies, and now retells these encounters as accurately as possible. Investigating 25 spellbinding tales that wind their way from the south end of the island to the north, Sinn explored hauntings in cities, in the forest, and on isolated logging roads. In addition to visiting castles, inns, and cemeteries, he followed the trail of spirits glimpsed on mountaintops, beaches, and water, and visited Heriot Bay Inn on Quadra Island and the Schooner Restaurant in Tofino to personally scrutinize reports of hauntings. Featuring First Nations stories from each of the three Indigenous groups who call Vancouver Island home--the Coast Salish, the Nuu-chah- nulth, and the Kwakwaka'wakw--the book includes an interview with Hereditary Chief James Swan of Ahousaht."--

A compelling collection of iconic ghost stories from all across Canada. Time and place are infused with ghosts and hauntings. From coast to coast to coast, Canada’s provinces and territories teem with the supernatural—phantoms obscured in the mists of time, spectres that delight in wreaking terror, and spirits destined to linger forever at the edge of the veil. Visit the far-flung corners of Canada to discover the folklore and legends behind: the ghost of a Newfoundland outlaw that leads blizzard-blind men to safety A poltergeist infestation that gleefully tortured an entire Nova Scotia family A fleet of phantom ships that haunt the coastline of New Brunswick the haggard spectre of a murderous witch in historic Quebec City Saskatchewan’s ghost-ridden military cadet academy an Alberta cabbie’s encounter with a silent shadow of a man in black the headless railway brakeman of Vancouver a moaning, man-shaped mist that haunts a Yukon cabin From east to west to way up north, bestselling author and renowned storyteller Barbara Smith traverses Canada’s provinces and territories to unearth more than 100 supernatural tales that careen between heartwarming, horrifying, sorrowful, and spine-chilling.

'It gripped me for a week. Incredible!' JANICE HALLETT 'Mind-bendingly brilliant. Agatha Christie on steroids!' TIM GLISTER A locked room. A brutal murder. And a killer who can unwind time... A DEAD BILLIONAIRE Part-time constable Ella Manning never thought she'd have to investigate her ex-fiance ́'s murder. But that's exactly what happens when tech entrepreneur Lincoln Shan is found dead in his study the morning after a controversial product launch - with the door locked from the inside. A RAGING STORM Trapped inside Shan's mansion above the remote town of Black Lake, it's up to Ella to catch the killer. But Black Lake is no ordinary place, and its strange history will make this the most baffling murder case of her career. SIX HOURS TO FIND A KILLER Because some of the town's inhabitants have the power to rewind time - and someone is using it to protect a murderer. Just as Ella is sure she has identified the culprit, the last six hours are undone. With no memory of what she discovered before, her investigation begins again with very different results. But which conclusion was true? The race is on to find the killer before they strike again - and time is not on her side... A must-read for fans of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, The Sanatorium and And Then There Were None, Black Lake Manor will keep you feverishly turning the pages all night long. 'An endless inventive murder mystery' ALEX PAVESI 'Original and hugely addictive' B.A. PARIS

A dynamic retelling of the deadly 1906 sinking of the SS Valencia off the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, one of the worst maritime disasters in Canadian history. There are few places on earth that have such a high record of marine casualties as the short yet treacherous stretch of coastline known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the fifty-six kilometres between Port Renfrew and Cape Beale off Vancouver Island saw dozens of shipwrecks and claimed hundreds of lives. On a blustery night in late January 1906, the steamship SS Valencia, heading from San Francisco to Seattle and Victoria, met its tragic fate on the rocks near Pachena Point. With over one hundred passengers and sixty-five crew members on board, only thirty-seven people survived the wreck. All of the women and children perished. With journalistic precision, compassion for the victims, and condemnation for those who neglected to prevent the tragedy, author Michael C. Neitzel recounts the Valencia’s ill-fated final voyage, drawing heavily on first-hand accounts of the survivors and witnesses. The Final Voyage of the Valencia is a must-read for anyone interested in the maritime history of Canada’s west coast.

An entertaining and enchanting collection of myths, tales and traditions surrounding the seas, skies and woodlands that make up our natural world. Enter an enchanting world where the mysteries of the seas, skies and woodlands come alive through shared myths, legends and folk tales. From the majestic creatures that dance beneath the waves to the celestial beings that populate the heavens and the spirits that reside within the forests, The Treasury of Folklore offers a portal into the lore of the natural world that has been whispered through the generations. In this mesmerising compendium you'll embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of myths, legends, and tales that have been woven into the very fabric of our natural world. You'll tread mysterious waters and be beguiled by the sirens and sea monsters, soar to new heights with winged Pegasus and uncover stories of celestial beings, from thunder gods to constellations that have guided traveller's across the heavens. And as you wander through the ancient woods, you'll encounter spirits between the branches, insatiable cannibalistic children hewn from logs and the promise of the big, bad wolf. The stories included here traverse countries and continents and have been carefully selected to highlight how humans are linked through time and place, with shared dreams, fears and ways of rationalising the unknown. Immerse yourself in the tapestry of tales collected in these pages, each story a testament to the enduring enchantment of the seas, skies, and woodlands.

Enthralling tales of the sea, rivers and lakes from around the globe. Folklore of the seas and rivers has a resonance in cultures all over the world. Watery hopes, fears and dreams are shared by all peoples where rivers flow and waves crash. This fascinating book covers English sailor superstitions and shape-shifting pink dolphins of the Amazon, Scylla and Charybdis, the many guises of Mami Wata, the tale of the Yoruba River spirit, the water horses of the Scottish lochs, the infamous mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, and much more. Accompanied by stunning woodcut illustrations, popular authors Dee Dee Chainey and Willow Winsham explore the deep history and enduring significance of water folklore the world over, from mermaids, selkies and sirens to ghostly ships and the fountains of youth. With this book, Folklore Thursday aims to encourage a sense of belonging across all cultures by showing how much we all have in common.