Author Archives: Jamie Cook

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

 

 

 

In which the Author undertakes a world tour of Scotland….

 

scotland-cottages-mapOver the next week I’m appearing at various venues and events throughout Scotland, stunning audiences into submission with my patented technique involving bluster, arms-waving and cunningly illustrated Keynote presentations.

 

On Friday 22 February I’m in Stenhousemuir, talking about Scottish Lore and Legend to Scouts from the Forth Valley.

 

On Monday 25 February I’m addressing the Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society on the subject of ‘Paranormal Perthshire’. The event is at the Birnam Institute [http://www.birnamarts.com/index.asp?cookies=True] at 7.30pm and is open to all, although there will be a small charge at the door for non-members.

 

Then on Wednesday 27 February I’m talking about ‘Sex, Lies and Poltergeists at the Argyle Street branch of Waterstones in Glasgow. This free event starts at 7pm and will be followed by a signing for Poltergeist over Scotland.

 

Finally, on Thursday 28 February you can take in ‘An Evening of Murder with Geoff Holder’ at the Loch Leven Community Campus in Kinross. Featuring mysterious, unsolved and gruesome crimes, this talk starts at 6.30 and there’s a small entrance fee. []

 

See you around.

 

 

In which the Author turns up in the Daily Mail and the Perthshire Advertiser…

 

PA polt feature small 19122013

On 19 February features on my new book Poltergeist over Scotland appeared in both the Scottish Daily Mail and the Perthshire Advertiser, the former written by Jim McBeth and the latter by Paul Cargill. Copies of the articles can be seen here.
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There are also positive reviews of the book on both the Magonia Blog and Review of Books, by Peter Rogerson  ) and by Brother Truth on The Conspiracy Review.

And a reminder that at 7pm on Wednesday 27th February I’m giving a talk entitled ‘Sex, Lies and Poltergeists’ at Waterstones Bookshop, Argyle Street, Glasgow. Entry is free and I’ll be signing books afterwards.

Poltergeists: they walk among us.

 

 

 

In which the Author talks poltergeists at the Ghost Club…

 

Poltergeist Over ScotlandThis weekend I’m honoured to be the repeat guest at the Scottish branch of the estimable Ghost Club, at The Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB. The event kicks off at 1pm on Saturday 16th.

 

Here’s the official invite:

 

On Saturday 16 February 2013, Ghost Club Member, Geoff Holder will be presenting his talk on “Poltergeist Over Scotland”.  The first ever history of Scottish poltergeist cases – an astonishing array from the 17th century to the modern day. 

Poltergeist activity, with its noises, flying objects, floods and fires, has baffled investigators for centuries. Geoff Holder’s new book Poltergeist over Scotland is the first ever history of Scottish poltergeists, with 134 cases covering almost 400 years of alleged supernatural events. Witches, demons, ghosts and hoaxers populate a canvas of commonsense-defying mysteries that stretches from the year 1635 to the present day. Geoff Holder is also the author of the recently-published What Is a Poltergeist? – Understanding Poltergeist Activity, in which he explores in detail the nine principal theories that have been advanced to explain poltergeists.

 

Geoff is the author of 25 books on the paranormal and peculiar. His talk ‘Sex, Lies and Poltergeists’ was a hit at The National Trust for Scotland’s ‘Unsolved’ Crime and Mystery Festival in 2012. Join Geoff for an energetic illustrated canter through a bevy of poltergeist cases from the Glasgow area and beyond. Expect scenes of destruction, chaos and pointless violence from the very beginning.

 

For this event we have to charge an entry price of £10.00, this includes a buffet provided by the Tron Theatre.

This talk is being presented for Ghost Club members and friends and if you would like to attend please email Derek Green, Investigations Officer at investigations@ghostclub.org.uk

The Tron Theatre bar will be open for this event so please come along to support Geoff and enjoy a drink in excellent company.

Please bring your friends along for an excellent afternoon.

 

 

 

In which the author talks poltergeists at the Edinburgh Fortean Society…

 

cbkOn Tuesday 12th February I’ll be giving an illustrated talk based on my book Poltergeist over Scotland to that distinguished body of men and women, the Edinburgh Fortean Society. The venue is The Counting House, 38 West Nicolson Street, EH8 9DD.  The event kicks off at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome. Entry £1.

Poltergeist over Scotland is the first history of Scottish poltergeists, covering 400 years of Caledonian clangings, bangings, fires and fetid smells. I’ll reveal the source of the ‘Cursed Egyptian Bone’ case of 1930s Edinburgh, elucidate the outcome of the Trinity Poltergeist legal case, and identify the earliest poltergeist in Scotland… which was in Edinburgh.

Expect destruction, chaos and scenes of pointless violence from the very beginning.

 

 

 

In which the Author guests on the Spooky Southcoast radio show…

 

spooklogowpThis coming weekend I’m the invited guest on Christopher Balzano’s splendid Spooky Southcoast radio show, operating out of Massachusetts. The topic of discussion: poltergeists, with reference to my forthcoming books Poltergeist over Scotland and What is a Poltergeist? – Understanding Poltergeist Activity.

 

Depending on your time zone, the show will air at 10.30pm (Eastern Standard Time in the USA) on Saturday 9th February or 3.30am (GMT UK time) on Sunday 10th. It will also be available for later digital consultation. Go to www.spookysouthcoast.com to find out more.