The Nearly Departed

Everyone loves a good ghost story. Phantoms of the Paramount, Shadows on Third Avenue, the Legend of Ann Lake, Boy in the Red Cap. Veteran ghost hunter J. Michael Norman has uncovered almost three dozen stories of legitimate Minnesota eeriness to thrill readers. Norman, author of five nationally popular collections of ghost tales, interviewed local storytellers and combed newspapers to document legends involving supernatural and strange occurrences. Following old and fresh leads, he gathered stories from all over the state. Ghost stories have existed as long as humans have been telling tales. Perhaps it's our curiosity of what happens to us and our loved ones after death, perhaps they explain phenomena that we do not understand, or maybe, just maybe, the dead do walk the earth. Norman does not attempt to prove or disprove the existence of ghosts but instead allows readers to make up their own minds. His tales feature people's strange and paranormal experiences in quite ordinary places, including homes, theaters, B and Bs, and restaurants. Many of the engaging and hair-raising accounts involve strange and frightening incidents of the last fifty years; some document very recent unexplainable or spectral events. The book includes a map and a public site appendix targeting the hauntings' locations--from Taylors Falls and Pipestone to Northfield and Nobles County--for Minnesotans who may want to "pass through" the sites. Beware: these stories do not have conclusive endings since they remain a mystery to this day. But perhaps that's best. An ending would just take the fun out of it.

"I've seen a ghost," said Emily. "Well, not seen one exactly. Heard one. At least, I think I have..." Everything has a rational explanation. Unless it doesn't. Welcome to Weirdsville... Woodsville is not like other towns. Night falls a little earlier there, the shadows are darker and denser, and everyone knows it's a place where strange things happen. Even if they won't admit it. Bethan would prefer to be anywhere but here. Jay has his theories, but isn't ready to share. Hashim sees more than he'll say, while Kelly's demons are all too flesh and blood. But Emily's freak-out brings them out of denial and face to face with the supernatural. Anywhere else, Friday night would be date night. But not in Weirdsville...

YA. FANTASY & MAGICAL REALISM. This is a sharp, slick, blisteringly paced debut novel, with an unconventional but tender love story at its heart. I parted the curtains. A skeletal face peered back at me, blackened eyes rolling in sockets seemingly unsupported by flesh. It smiled ... It should be game over for Nora Dearly when she is ambushed and dragged off into the night by the living dead. But this crack unit of teen zombies are the good guys, sent to protect Nora from the real monsters roaming the country and zeroing in on cities to swell their ranks. Can Nora find a way to kill off the evil undead once and for all? Can she trust her protectors to resist their hunger for human flesh? And can she stop herself falling for the noble, sweet, surprisingly attractive, definitely-no-longer-breathing Bram ...? Ages 12+.

"The first time I came to Deadwood, I got shot in the ass."--Violet Parker Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota, and Violet Parker's daughter could be next. She's desperate to find the monster behind the abductions. But if she's not careful, Violet just might end up as one of Deadwood's dearly departed

A classic romance, suspense thriller, rip-roaring adventure, and macabre comedy all at once, Dearly, Departed redefines the concept of undying love. CAN A PROPER YOUNG VICTORIAN LADY FIND TRUE LOVE IN THE ARMS OF A DASHING ZOMBIE? The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the mores of an antique era. Sixteen-year-old Nora Dearly is far more interested in her country’s political unrest than in silly debutante balls. But the death of her beloved parents leaves Nora at the mercy of a social-climbing aunt who plans to marry off her niece for money. To Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. Now she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting a fatal virus that raises the dead. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and thoroughly deceased. But like the rest of his special undead unit, Bram has been enabled by luck and modern science to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire. “Heart-pounding . . . Nora and Bram’s touching and tender relationship, with its emphasis on equality and living in the moment, feels particularly special.”—Publishers Weekly “Absolutely spellbinding . . . full of ingenious inventions and dynamic characters.”—RT Book Reviews “A zombie romance? You bet.”—Library Journal

Cullerton's parents were always eccentric. Her mother gardened in curlers, pop beads, and black satin underpants, while her father hid wads of cash in shoes in the garage. This is a haunting, heartbreaking, and incredibly funny book that is a love letter to parents, family, and home--however strange they may be.

Veteran ghost hunter Micahel Norman uncovers almost three dozen stories of Minnesota eeriness-just in time for Halloween.

Step back in the world of the Eldritch Twins in this darker, more personal tale of remembrance and revenge with a hint of voodoo and a dash of existential dread. LOVECRAFT meets THE X-FILES in the sequel to the SWANSONG CONSPIRACY. The nights grow ever darker and longer for Lilly and Quincy Swansong. Uncovering the mysterious Swansong family secret and thwarting the apocalyptic plans of the wretched Haven organization has left the world in a state of confusion. Regular people have stopped responding to the horrors around them. The Global Defense Force has disbanded. Shadowy figures of Haven looming in the distance, ever-present. And yet no one remembers. The twins try to learn what they can, but mostly, they try to survive, ever on the run from revenge-seeking Haven agents. When a mysterious affliction possibly linked to Haven interventions rears its ugly head, it leads the twins to new friends and a terrifying new foe. It also, unfortunately, leads to their deaths. But death is only a minor setback for those who know their way around. Quincy and Lilly traverse the afterlife, determined to find a way home, but it doesn’t take long for them to realize they can’t simply escape the Realm of the Nearly Departed--a dark and foreboding world of neon lights. Not without a few dodgy deals and a Corgi leading the way. hr The Eldritch Twins is best enjoyed in the following order: Book 1: The Swansong Conspiracy Book 2: The Nearly Departed