Author: G.L. Davies
The Haunted Horror of Haverfordwest is the continuation of a story about a house G.L. Davies wrote about in a prior book, A Most Haunted House. The events in this new book start 13 years before the paranormal events Davies first wrote about. The house is the same, but the experiences are a bit different.
From 1989-1991, a married couple, Dai and Anne, lived in the house in Haverfordwest, until they couldn't stand it any more. Their terrifying experiences finally drove them out of the house. Paranormal events ranged from disembodied voices to physical attacks by an entity. The author interviewed this couple 46 times over a two year period to gather the facts of the case. The specific location of the house and the actual names of those involved are kept confidential.
Davies presents the facts in an interview format with a bit of extra information on the surrounding area, the house, and his thoughts on the interviews and the haunting.
These events predate the occurrences outlined in Davies' prior book, A Most Haunted House. The text of that book is also included. A Most Haunted House outlines another couple's experiences in the house starting in September 2003. Their experiences were somewhat different -- unexplained lights, shadowy figures, cold spots and a menacing atmosphere made it difficult for them to remain in the home. Just like the first couple, they finally abandoned the property.
Davies offers a few non-supernatural explanations -- electromagnetic fields, mold, radiation, infrasound and other possible causes. He also offers a few supernatural suggestions -- ghosts, demons, aliens, or other dimensions.
While I enjoyed reading the accounts of experiences in this house, I'm not sure I totally believe the story. It's easy to list experiences as fact when the locations, people and events can't be corroborated. Although I would not want to live in a house where I was experiencing any of the events reported by these couples, I didn't find this book particularly scary. I found most of the experiences to be basically trope-y things used in almost every bad movie or book written about ghosts. One scene about a female spirit actually trying some sort of weird sex attack on a resident of the house just seemed ridiculous.....more silly than scary. But, I'm a skeptic. Someone who believes in ghosts and that these experiences could actually happen might be more frightened by the story of this house.
While I don't buy the story, I did enjoy reading both books. I love stories about ghosts and creepy occurrences. Stories about hauntings are one of my most guilty pleasures. But, I don't believe the tales are true. I am not a believer in the supernatural. Dead is dead. Ghosts or hauntings just don't exist. I firmly believe that most hauntings are just misinterpretations or hallucinations brought on by suggestion, or environmental issues like magnetic/electrical problems. But....in the event of factual proof being brought to light....I would be willing to admit I'm wrong and change my mind. For now, I will just continue to love stories about hauntings, and leave the actual ghost hunting to others.
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from John Hunt Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
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