Praise for Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes:
“New York ghost tour guides Hieber and Janes (coauthors of Haunted History of Invisible Women) separate fact from fiction in this spine-tingling investigation of ghostly mayhem and gory deeds. Intent on exploring the real-life stories behind the “gothic tropes” that define North American folklore… It’s a satisfying combination of well-sourced fact-checking, thoughtful literary analysis, and creepy chills.” —Publishers Weekly
“America’s Most Gothic is a treasure trove of real-life women who lived and died by the same gothic tropes we devour in fiction—tragic heroines, doomed romances, dark academia, and lingering spirits. Hieber and Janes don’t just collect ghost stories—they resurrect the forgotten lives behind them with empathy, elegance, and just the right amount of dread. If you love gothic horror, this is the nonfiction book you didn’t know you needed.” —Sadie Hartmann, Bram Stoker Awards® winning author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered
“Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes have once again given us a powerful homage to haunted history, this time threading classic gothic tropes through America’s famous ghost stories. With extensive research and expert analysis, they show us why and how we bend our tales to fit our enduring fascination with dead brides, sunken ships and mad women in the attic. A must read for fans of Gothic!” —Agatha Andrews, host of the She Wore Black podcast on America’s Most Gothic
“Spellbinding—America’s Most Gothic seeks forgotten and untold stories of the supernatural and brings them to terrifying life in this engaging follow-up to A Haunted History of Invisible Women. Truth may be stranger than fiction, but it’s often more frightening, too. Tales of the macabre are balanced with real history and thoughtful analysis; you will savor this book even as it keeps you up at night. No one tells a story like Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes.” —Jessica Cale, host of the Dirty Sexy History podcast on America’s Most Gothic
“Not only do Hieber and Janes manage to shine a vaporous corpse-light on familiar tales like the doomed ghost ships of New England, the dream duo reintroduce several trailblazers forgotten by history like Charlotte Cushman, a nineteenth-century actor revered for playing Shakespeare and John Hammond, an eccentric inventor who built a medieval-style castle in Massachusetts and had an odd desire to be reincarnated as a black cat. A masterful collaboration.” —Sam Baltrusis, bestselling author of Ghost Writers, Wicked Salem and Haunted Castles of New England on America’s Most Gothic
“Delightfully harrowing and full of spine-tingling horrors, this is not your average book of ghost stories. Hieber and Janes go far beyond the obvious thrills and chills, providing fascinating context and lavish detail in this incredibly empathetic book as they gently remind us not only of what we are but what we may become.” —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
“Thought-provoking and deliciously eerie, this intriguing study of phantom females not only delves into the history behind the legendary hauntings that chill our blood, but also gives detailed descriptions of real-life ghost encounters.” —Leslie Rule, bestselling author on A Haunted History of Invisible Women
“This book accomplishes the impossible –to tell true stories of abuse, murder, horror, and the plight of women, and somehow make that an elegant and compelling piece of writing. Brava!” —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Relentless and Ink on A Haunted History of Invisible Women
“An absolute must-buy for the spooky people of the world.” —Mallory O’Meara, bestselling author of The Lady from the Black Lagoon and Girly Drinks on A Haunted History of Invisible Women
“A beautifully researched and well-written observation of women’s ghosts across time. If this book doesn’t leave with you a sense of wonder and a healthy dose of goosebumps, check your pulse—you may already be among the spirits.” —Marc Hartzman, author of Chasing Ghosts: A Tour of Our Fascination with Spirits and the Supernatural on A Haunted History of Invisible Women
“Expert storytellers Hieber and Janes take us on tour through the lives of real women who would become legendary ghosts adding depth to stories I thought I knew and introducing me to characters I’ve never met before. With wit and empathy, A Haunted History brings the spirit of these women to life. Their stories are touching, shocking, inspiring, and intimately relatable. They tell the ways women have learned to navigate their world, to thrive, and live authentically against the odds. They reveal the ways society objectifies and classifies women who defy norms and challenge the expectations of their time. These ghosts still have something to say and have much to teach. —Leila Taylor, author of Darkly: Black History and America’s Gothic Soul on A Haunted History of Invisible Women
“The ultimate paranormal compendium on female ghosts of America. Not only is this a compulsively readable book, it’ll send a chill down your spine while illuminating the dark shadows of a nation.” —Kris Waldherr, author of The Lost History of Dreams and Unnatural Women: A Novel of the Frankenstein Women on A Haunted History of Invisible Women
“Both a meditation on the misogyny of a ghost-hunting culture that capitalizes on false narratives of sex and death, and a fascinating look at the flesh-and-blood women behind the ghost stories.” —Chris Woodyard, author of The Victorian Book of the Dead on A Haunted History of Invisible Women
“One of the authors is a believer and one is not, which creates a welcoming environment for both approaches. What they share is a sense of outrage at the many ways that women have been ignored, dismissed, insulted, and otherwise cruelly treated by society, and an interest in why we remember the ones that we do.” —Smart Bitches, Trashy Books on A Haunted History of Invisible Women
“The things which truly frighten us are the things which are real. That is why women love horror: it allows us a healthy exploration of our real-life terrors. There is a sisterhood of haunted women throughout history, both actual people and fictional characters. I was thrilled to learn more about them all through the eyes of two women who are members of that sisterhood.” —Ohioana Library Magazine on A Haunted History of Invisible Women
“Real-life tales of the arabesque, guaranteed to have your spine tingling, your nerves jangling, and your mind probing—sometimes reluctantly—the corrupted unknown lurking under the brittle veneer of “normality.” A book steeped in the heady miasma of Gothic intrigue.” —Lindsey Fitzharris, New York Times bestselling author of The Butchering Art
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