Synopsis
Fifty two different stories. Fifty two different Authors. Endless fright for all ages.
Every state has an urban legend that evokes fear and curiosity in equal parts, and we've chronicled all of these logic-defying horrors here in the Haunted States of America anthology.
From the Jersey Devil to La Llorona, each story included introduces a new chill inducing, stomach churning monster, spectre, or poltergeist certain to keep you up at night. A broad ranging collection of authors, including seasoned veterans and some first timers making a fright-tastic debut, have all united to unearth the scariest lore from each state in the US, as well as D.C. and Puerto Rico. Make sure to strap in for this spooky cross country tour, but be extra careful not to let any of these terrors follow you home.
Featuring stories from Ellen Hopkins, Rae Rose, Daniel Barlekamp, Aixa Perez- Prado, Paul Lubaczewski, Jan Eldredge, and many more.
Excerpt
Three nights before Halloween, my second-best friend, Alex Crown, went missing. At first, no one paid much attention, not even Alex’s parents. Alex likes running away the same way I like building model trains or my first-best friend, Jasmine Patel, likes collecting snake skins. The thing is, no matter how many times Alex ran away, he always came back. Until now.
On the day of Halloween, we huddle together at lunch.
“Alex would never miss trick-or-treating,” Jasmine says gloomily.
“You’re right.” I push away my half-eaten tuna sandwich. “He lives for Halloween.”
“Y’all remember last year when he dressed up as the Bunny Man?” my third-best friend, Joey Mulroney, says. He moved here from a small town in southern Virginia last year and says y’all a lot. “I swear that axe was real.”
“Yeah, and remember he did that research paper on Bunny Man Bridge for history class?” I say. “Mrs. Parker called his parents.”
Jasmine laughs. “He was obsessed with the Bunny Man. It’s all he talked about . . .” Her eyes open wide. “You don’t think . . . he went looking for him?”
Joey’s voice lowers to a whisper. “Maybe the Bunny Man found Alex first.”
That’s when we make our plan.
“My house,” Jasmine says as we lock pinkies. “Seven o’clock.”