Guest Author - Phyllis Doyle Burns

In The Mysterious Doom, And Other Ghostly Tales Of The Pacific Northwest, Jessica Amanda Salmonson has woven together some timeless tales of ghostly sightings and hauntings with her own charming characters whom are serious ghost hunters. Penelope Pettiweather, Salmonson's ghost detector, is a charming, down to earth character who is not afraid of ghosts and is always eager to investigate the local ghost tales of the Pacific Northwest.

This is a delightful book that I love to read on cold wintry nights when I snuggle up in bed on several pillows and a warm, cozy blanket over my shoulders. I just cozy right into the corner and read one of the many short stories Salmonson has written in expressive and imaginative style. Penelope keeps the reader eagerly awaiting for what is around every corner and in every dark room. She takes us to spots around the Pacific Northwest that are beautiful, quaint, popular, charming and nostalgic - but, always there is a surprise awaiting us.

This is the book where I first read about Colonel Isaac Ebey of Whidbey Island. Because of Penelope's determination to find out all she can about Col. Ebey and the fear of her jittery friend, James, my curiosity was stirred up and I investigated the story and the area on Whidbey Island where Isaac Ebey and his family and friends had settled in the mid to late 1800's. The story Salmonson writes is based on actual historical figures and facts. She manages to add her own intriguing story to intertwine with the facts and give us a ghost tale to remember.

One of my favorite tales in this book is The Last Passenger, an unusual story about a young man, fresh from a University and ready to set out on journeys and make his mark on the world. Before beginning his journey, he decides to visit his grandparents out west and relax for awhile - or so he thought. His grandparents mansion, Azalea Farm, has much more to it's history than the young man ever thought possible. His thoughts of "relaxing" turns into a horrendous and scary ride.

Pike Place Market, in Seattle, is one of my favorite places to go when I visit the Pacific Northwest. There have been, for many years, tales of hauntings throughout the Market, which is huge and full of shops, dark hallways, small offices, mysterious rooms upstairs and a lot of history - the perfect place for spirits to wander and haunt! Salmonson's story of Serene Omen Of Death In The Pike Place Market will keep you on the edge trying to track down the spirit of Princess Angeline.

In the story of Jeremiah, I became enthralled with the plight of a frail elderly lady who awaited the ghost of her husband to return, as he does each year, on Christmas Eve. Penelope Pettiweather promises the elderly lady that she will spend the night with her to confront, calm and put this angry and violent spirit at peace once and for all - but, at what price? Salmonson makes the story and her descriptions of the house and the characters so real that I felt I was with Penelope with each step she took closer and closer to terror.

The spirits that haunt Portland's White Eagle Saloon will take you back in time to the rowdy nightlife of Russell Street, with sailors just in from ships, and the violence hidden behind closed doors. The spirits there are strong, angry and stubborn. Will Penelope be able to hold her own and put them finally at peace, or will they overpower her and continue their restless journey of haunting?

These stories, along with the monsters of lakes, forests and other haunts, will give you some wonderful reading if you are in to ghosts and investigating the facts. Treat yourself to some chilling and sometimes charming spirits as you snuggle in to your own corner on a cold wintry night with The Mysterious Doom.
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