The Myrtles Plantation: The True Story of America's Most Haunted House

I taught this book in my English literature classes at university for many years, and my students loved it as much as I did. Teaching Southern Literature is my passion, and this story reads like Poe, but it's true, and though many dispute its authenticity, I've been to Myrtles, and there is definitely something there! I didn't encounter Chloe or the Confederate soldier, but I did feel the past, and that's enough for any folklorist or student of great literature. Buy the book! You will love it!

I usually read reviews before buying but I'm glad I didn't in this case since there are one or two thumbs down here that might have put me off. IMO the fact the book is the story of the author's relationship with the house (a haunted antebellum plantation in La.) and its effect on her personal relationships is fascinating and the fact that the place wreaked havoc on her marriage, that her husband seemed to be "overshadowed" by whatever disturbed, blinkered or sinister forces are at work in the place, is quite interesting since personal imbroglios often seem to be the reason the troubled spirits remain locked in residence at the myrtles. The author's depiction of an interplay between the endlessly looping ghosts and contemporary residents or guests is intriguing, and one of the reasons I was sorry to come to the end of the book. Could reenactment of their ancient dramas bring some catharsis? Who knows, but it's an idea that appeals to one's desire for a happy ending, or at least a lifting of misery. It's written in an unpretentious style that I think works and you get the feeling you would like the author, who comes across as a trustworthy narrator, even though I kept asking myself why in the world anybody would stay in a place that creepy when they were scared out of their wits; for instance calling a laundry list of candidates to stay over when alone at night (yes there is humor)--the answer of course is that when you make such a big commitment to something, whether a philandering husband or a haunted plantation, it's hard to walk away. The descriptions of the South, esp. small town life, food, food prep, behind-the-scenes running of a B & B, friends and the house itself are well drawn. I agree with the reviewer who said they look forward to what the author will do next.

I am a fan of Frances Kermeen. Her books are always entertaining and fact filled. She is thorough with her research, does her homework and knows her stuff. When I planned a recent trip to the Myrtles I asked several history and paranormal enthusiasts who was an expert on the hauntings and history of the old Myrtles plantation. I was told over and over that it was Frances Kermeen. I bought the book, took the trip to the Myrtles AND read the book afterwards. The author is right on! This place is very very haunted. After a a few pages the reader can plainly see that Ms. Kermeen writes from her heart. And she is a master of her craft. While weaving in factual historical tidbits, she shares her innermost pain and happiness, hopes and dreams with the reader and I find her candor both charming and refreshing. This is not a made up fabrication, but a true story that happened to a likeable young woman in the midst of a living nightmare few of us would choose to enter. Without reservation, I highly recommend the Myrtles Plantation: The True Story of America's Most Haunted House for a thrilling spine tingling page turner! I can't wait to see what subject Ms. Kermeen will tackle next.

This is not so much a reveiw as it is a validation. In reading the posted reveiws I see where a couple of people questioned Frances Kermeen's ownership of the Myrtles Plantation. The anwser is very simple-- NO, she does not CURRENTLY own the plantation. She and her husband, Jim, however, DID own the place for several years. I know-- when I was attending the University of New Orleans, I would often drive up to St. Francisville to visit them at The Myrtles on some weekends, and continued to do so after graduation. And, I can confirm there are some really bizarre things which do occur in the house and on the grounds. Often when I was visiting, somebody, who was staying as an overnight guest, would be frightened out of the house during the night. You would find them sleeping in their car out in the parking lot, or requesting a room in the newly constructed units which are not connected to the main house. I read a draft before it went to publisher and it is very effective indeed.

Don't read this in bed, alone, at night. If even half of the sightings are true I want to book a flight to Louisiana NOW. I have seen many stories on TV about the ghosts at this plantation. The book just added the icing to the cake of shivers. It is worth the read - and seems worth the price of the trip. Keep this one on your table for rainy nights and candles.

Being just a little skeptical of The Myrtles I mainly picked up this book because I very much enjoyed this author's previous book filled with ghost accounts from across the country. Now that I have read this book which is written with such sincere conviction and forthright honesty I am convinced that The Myrtles is indeed a very haunted place. Frances Kermeen and her husband Jim bought The Myrtles in 1980 with the intent of being innkeepers and they appear to have been very successful in that enterprise. So successful in fact that they had several guests that just wouldn't leave. As she relates the story of her often frightening experiences at The Myrtles Ms. Kermeen come across as one of the most sincere authors that I have come across when reading this type of book. She holds nothing back and gives the reader the whole story no matter how hard it must have been for her to write about. Interestingly it is this author who finds out that some of the legends surrounding the plantation are incorrect and through much hard work she pieces together what really happened which actually may have pacified some of the spirits. What happened to the author and her family and friends at The Myrtles is so fascinating that I basically read this book in one sitting. Just like a great novelist, Ms. Kermeen manages to make the reader really begin to care about the people in the story and one begins to worry about what may happen to them next and it becomes very hard to put this book down. The only negative to be found in this book is the author's sometimes-condescending attitude toward Southern traditions regarding marriage and manners. That type of attitude is why we Southerners are so leery of people who move in from other parts of the country but this small foible takes very little away from the book as a whole. This author's first book was quite good but I have never seen any author's writing skill improve so much between first and second books. I am sure that the personal feeling that she poured into this book will make it a classic for years to come. If you wonder what it is like to live with ghosts or if you just like a good ghost story then this is a book you will definitely want to read. The story of The Myrtles will make you laugh, cry and duck your head under the bed covers. I hope that Ms. Kermeen will continue her research into the supernatural and will give us many, many more books like this one. This is very close to being the perfect ghost story book.