Search - Cursed in New England : Stories of Damned Yankees

If you've read other Citro books (like Passing Strange), this will be right up your alley. Seventeen stories from all over New England regarding curses put on properties, families, etc. (most from the 1800's) and how some of these hexes may still be in the works today . . . cool stuff!

Mainly the stories concern odd goings-on stemming from curses on some very bad folks. There is one about a man being pressed alive by huge stones during the infamous witch trials in the Salem, MA area and the aftermath that has haunted the town since, several accounts of chilling native american revenge curses and tales of woe upon those who've always done wrong to others. It seems to be a well researched and unbiased account and the fact that author has visited these places and notes his feelings is a huge bonus. He even debunked a few!

Reading this gave me an uneasy feeling about New England. I know we have our haunted spots such as Blood Cemetary and the like but I never realized many of the places so near to me had such horrifying histories. I never knew that North Pepperell, MA use to be a thriving community and has been plagued by a long ago curse. Nor did I know that Dudleytown, CT is one of the most haunted locations on the planet. And the bit about the Kennedy clan was surprising to me as well. I'm ashamed to admit but I've never delved into the Kennedy history and was quite surprised by some of things the author revealed here though I'm sure that to others it is all old news. That Joe Kennedy was one evil fella if everything in this account is true. I got the shivers just reading about him and thinking on all of the tragedy surrounding his clan to this day which may or may not go way back to a curse placed upon the arrogant, thoughtless Joe Kennedy many moons ago. Chilling stuff, to be sure.

I don't know if I'm brave enough to visit some of these places but it sure was fascinating to read about them.