Legends of the Mountain State, edited by Michael Knost

I didn’t take any quotations from Legends of the Mountain State: Ghostly Tales from the State of West Virginia. Michael Knost edited this compilation of thirteen stories, each written by a different author. I enjoyed a few of these stories and would like to encourage everyone to run out and pick up the book (I also like supporting books about my home state).


My favorite stories and the reasons why they’re my favorite:

Images in Anthracite by Thomas Monteleone

This story was very modern, but didn’t fail to capture the haunting history of WV. I loved the character, Kevin - if he was a real person, I’d undoubtedly fall madly in love with him. The one flaw in this story? It ended and, frankly, I wasn’t ready for it to end. I felt the ending was slightly rushed and I’d love to see a longer version of this story in the future.

The Chapmanville Dead by Trent Walters

This story had an unusual ending that I haven’t read a billion times - and the ending was a bit of a surprise. When I turned the page and realized that it was the last one, I thought, "Wait, Walters can’t clear this up in a few sentences." Then, I finished reading it and he did - quite superbly (and ironically). Of plots, it’s the best in the entire book (imho).

How the Night Receives Them by Kealan Patrick Burke

If Walters had the best plot, Burke has the best literary style. I love the way he wrote this story. This is the first and only story that I’ve read by Burke, but I will be hunting down more of his work soon! This story has a very interesting twist to it - but I’m not going to give away the storyline and tell you what that twist is so just go buy the book and find out for yourself.

Wild Mountain Freesia by Jude-Marie Green

This story is a different take on the ghostly hitchhiker story but, again, I’m not giving anything away so go buy the book. I noticed in the back adverts that there are other stories about the ghost, Mamie Thurman - Green intrigued me and I will have to check them out.