I wasn’t expecting ghosts. I took the train to Stratford from Toronto to launch my book, The Man with the Black Valise, and everything was lining up nicely. The next day would be the 125th anniversary of the murder of Jessie Keith, a girl who lived north of Stratford in Listowel. Her killer had stood trial at the Perth County Court House, then been hanged at Stratford Jail, both a few blocks from where I was to speak.

You can learn much about the living by paying attention to the dead.

Do you believe in ghosts? Yes, I’m talking to you. Well, do you? Do you believe in ghosts?

I’ve always been fascinated by things that go bump in the night. I remember as a child devouring the old Usborne volume on ‘Ghosts’ and being ecstatic when I stumbled upon copies of Fate magazine. My imagination was filled with stories of the restless dead that left my heart fluttering with panic. I didn’t want to imagine what would happen if I actually encountered a spirit that refused to rest in its grave despite being bound with wards and blessing. It was terrifyingly thrilling.

Explores the history of Toronto through the final moments of the famous (and infamous) who made it their final resting place. From ancient First Nations burial mounds to the murder of Toronto’s first lightkeeper; from the rise and fall of the city’s greatest Victorian baseball star to the final days of the world’s most notorious anarchist.

Get a small visual glimpse into Adam Bunch's Toronto Book of the Dead with this neat infographic (right-click and save to see a bigger version)!

Who You Gonna Call? Ontario’s Ghostbusters

“Now I know what a ghost is. Unfinished business, that’s what.”
- Salman Rushdie, The Satanic Verses

The all-female Ghostbusters hits theatres soon, so we thought, what better way to celebrate than with ghost stories and ghost busters!

There have been many haunting experiences at the Black Creek Pioneer Village. One of the most notable ghosts inhabits Stong’s Second House which was built in 1832.

People have reported hearing footsteps, noises, and doors opening and closing. Those unexplained activities are said to be the work of the ghost of Michael Stong who died in 1845 and was the first person to be buried at Black Creek’s cemetery.

Halloween is much more than tricks or treats, it is also All Hallows Eve, where the souls of the dead walk among us. Richard Palmisano, author of Meeting Place of the Dead knows however that it's not just All Hallows Eve when ghosts appear amongst us...

How did you come up with the idea for this work?

Halloween is tomorrow and acclaimed author Philippa Dowding, (The Lost Gargoyle series, and The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden) sits down with us to talk about her new book Jake and the Giant Hand.

Tell us about your book.

Indicators that your home may be haunted.

Things being moved or missing

Sounds of walking, knocking, banging, whistles, snapping, glass breaking, furniture being moved. (Rarely any evidence)

Doors and or windows opening or closing

Lights or appliances turning on or off

Black shadows that are seen quickly with your peripheral vision

Mists, smoke, orbs or apparitions

Whispers or voices, unexplained music

Unexplained cold or hot spots

Unexplained items appearing