Monthly Archives: May 2013

In which the Author gets a 9 out of 10 review in Fortean Times…

 

This month’s issue of Fortean Times (FT302, June 2013) contains a 9 out of 10 review of Poltergeist over Scotland. Some choice quotes:

 

“High quality…it takes the reader on a fascinating journey.”    

 

“It’s also an entertaining read, which helps in getting to grips with the unpredictable nature of poltergeists.”

 

“Does what it says on the tin – and very successfully.”

 

The full review can be read here, courtesy of the reviewer, Mandy Collins of www.spookyisles.com, and of the peerless Fortean Times. 

 

 

In which the Author is reviewed rather well by the Society for Psychical Research…

 

The estimable Tom Ruffles of the Society for Psychical Research has just posted a fine review of Poltergeist over Scotland on the SPR’s website. You can find it here or in the reviews section of this very website. Here’s a taste:

“It seems odd that nobody had thought of the idea before, but surprisingly Geoff Holder is the first person to compile a history of Scottish poltergeists…. This is an excellent package relevant to anybody interested in poltergeists, not only those which occurred in Scotland.  Holder employs his trademark humour and takes an open-minded, sympathetic, but critical view of the phenomena he describes, making this a useful, and long overdue, collection.

My thanks to Tom and the SPR for permission to reproduce the review.

 

 

 

In which the Author is reviewed by Mostly Ghostly…

 

Kathleen Cronie of Mostly Ghostly Investigations (www.mostlyghostly.org) has just penned a very kind review of Poltergeist over Scotland in the May 2013 edition of Dumfries & Galloway Life. Here’s an extract:

“The level of research and dedication to his subject is apparent on every page of Geoff’s fascinating book: a great tool for those with a passing interest as well as more serious paranormal researchers. Geoff writes with a unique and entertaining style, providing lots of helpful nuggets for the paranormal enthusiast, such as source materials and where possible, the historical or cultural context of each case. Poltergeists are clearly one of the most challenging spirit types to define, but Geoff has given a valuable insight into the subject and the numerous behaviours associated with these mystifying entities.”

 

 

In which the Author has a new book published…

 

41hltJqF08L._SL500_AA300_The Little Book of Edinburgh is out on May 6. It was great fun to research and write, especially as I was forced to visit a great many museums, tourist attractions and cafés in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Oh, the suffering.

There is a blurb. It reads like this:

“The Little Book of Edinburgh is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no-one will want to be without. Here we find out about the most unusual crimes and punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons and daughters and literally hundreds of wacky facts.

Geoff Holder’s new book contains historic and contemporary trivia on Edinburgh. There are lots of factual chapters but also plenty of frivolous details which will amuse and surprise.

A reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped in to time and time again to reveal something you never knew. Discover the real story of Greyfriars Bobby (he was a publicity stunt), meet the nineteenth-century counterparts of our favourite modern detectives, from Jackson Brodie to John Rebus, seek out historical sites from the distant past to the Second World War, and freak out with the Festival.”

 

See more at: http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/index.php/the-little-book-of-edinburgh.html#sthash.4lsLH4b2.dpuf

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Book-Edinburgh-Geoff-Holder/dp/0752486306http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/index.php/the-little-book-of-edinburgh.html