Stonehouse, a serious maritime historian, practically apologizes for writing the book. He originally didn’t give ghost stories any credence at all, but then decided, "Whether one accepts such stories or not, they are part of the maritime tradition of the lakes." I’m glad he overcame his scruples, because this is an excellent book. As might be expected from an historian, the book is full of the history of the lakes. Sailors’ superstitions, hoodoo, ships, Finnish wizards, Jonahs, lake serpents—it’s a spook-tacular voyage round the Great Lakes.

Small Point Cottage—the "spirited house" of Mackinac Island haunted by a mischievous child ghost, whose footsteps keep guests awake. The ghostly Captain Mary Greene of the Delta Queen, who peers through windows, tends passengers, and still doesn’t like alcohol on "her" ship. Barker Lake Country Lodge, originally a favorite resort of Al Capone, haunted by the Manhattan-swilling Harry Mueller, a former owner.

Marimen, who wrote the popular Haunted Indiana, now visits the Graves of Academe. College students have always had an affinity for campus legends, but Marimen gives enough independent witnesses to make you wonder how legendary these urban legends really are. Old school spirits often fall into predictable patterns: the coed who leaped to her death from the clock tower of the Administration Building; the frat pledge who died during hazing. Marimen, bless his researcher’s heart, has given us more varied and substantive stories. My favorites were the story of the phantom cadet at West Point, which included insider details of a Navy "debunking" of the ghost; and "The Curse of Rafinesque" from the aptly named Transylvania in Louisville. I’ve been there; it’s a very peculiar place.

Chillingly atmospheric and packed with historical facts and details about a dozen haunted colleges and universities, School Spirits will have you pulling an all-nighter. A+!