This week on MonsterTalk, Blake and Karen are joined by Matthew Baxter to revisit Karen’s classic investigation book
Haunting America — newly re-released in paperback just in time for Halloween 🎃. Together they discuss how the book began as a project for the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF), the fieldwork behind its famous cases, and the updated edition’s new conclusion and color photos.👻 Topics discussed:
• Origins of
Haunting America — conceived at the JREF as a skeptical investigation anthology.
• Behind-the-scenes stories from Karen and Matt’s fieldwork across the U.S.
• Visits to legendary “haunted” sites including:
🏠
The Myrtles Plantation — tracing the truth behind the tale of “Chloe.”
🏥
Waverly Hills Sanatorium — separating tuberculosis history from ghost folklore.
🔫
Winchester Mystery House — examining Sarah Winchester’s real story vs. myth.
• Working with the
JREF and Tim Farley (“
What’s the Harm?”) on skeptical outreach.
• Revisiting historic ghost claims through the historical method rather than gadgets and TV tropes.
• Comparing early 2000s ghost hunting culture with modern media portrayals.
• The enduring folklore vs. fact tension in places like the Stanley Hotel, Amityville, and Lizzie Borden House.
• The value of myth-busting as a form of respect for real history and real people.🕯️ About the new edition:
• Now in paperback with color photographs and updated research.
• Includes follow-up findings on the Myrtles Plantation and San Antonio Railroad “ghost tracks.”
• Adds a new concluding chapter reflecting on skepticism and folklore after a decade of investigations.
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