Review: Haunted Asylums, Prisons, and Sanatoriums: Inside Abandoned Institutions for the Crazy, Criminal & Quarantined

Title: Haunted Asylums, Prisons, and Sanatoriums: Inside Abandoned Institutions for the Crazy, Criminal & Quarantined
Author: Jamie Davis
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 8th 2013
Source: Netgalley/Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.

★★★

Three stars.

Haunted Asylums, Prisons, and Sanatoriums: Inside Abandoned Institutions for the Crazy, Criminal & Quarantined is a travel guide that gives insight and information, as well as personal experiences within some of America's most haunted places.

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In a nutshell, this is a good starter book for someone with an interest in haunted places mentioned in the title. This is also a good guide for people who are interested in planning a vacation to these locations.

+ The author does a good job explaining techniques and equipment that are commonly used in paranormal investigation. It's put into simple terms so even the most unfamiliar reader can understand what's being used throughout the book.

+ There are small stories and histories associated with each place. These are more factual than urban legend, despite how the back blurb of this book reads. There are photographs peppered throughout the book that help the narrative and show the reader a glimpse of what to expect.

+ It was useful to me that included after each landmark/haunt, there was a list of prices, websites, and additional information that the reader can use if planning to visit.

- The author also tells stories from their own paranormal investigations. In my opinion, these came off as rather unprofessional and altogether a bit lacking in evidence.

- I also felt like I was left with only an introduction to each haunt. I've researched most of these places in my spare time, since I do want to visit a few of them in the future. Because of that, I didn't really gain any additional information. Most of these facts can be found online, and don't really require this book to learn them.

All in all, I'd recommend this for travelers or newcomers to the topic. If you have no intention to visit these places, expect a ghost story, or are a relatively well versed person in regards to haunted places, then this book isn't for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. for my copy.