THE HAUNTED HOUSE DIARIES - review

The Haunted House Diaries – The True Story of a Quiet Connecticut Town in the Center of a Paranormal Mystery, William J. Hall, New Page Books, Pompton Plains, NJ, 2015, 256pp, $16.99.

Imagine living in “Spirit Central” for decades. Not appealing? The Haunted House Diaries tells the story of a family that has lived in what has been dubbed “The House at the Center of a Parallel Crossroads” for generations. Fortunately, resident Donna Fillie kept a diary of the happenings, and William J. Hall documented not only the diary but observations of professional investigators.

        Before I begin the review, I’d like to add part of Hall’s disclaimer. The house in the book is real, but it is a private residence and NOT open to the public. Hall acts as liaison for the family, so you can contact him with any questions or comments.

        Now with that out of the way… This is a true story, unbelievable as it sounds. Hall spent 25 years as a performing magician, so he knows an illusion when he sees one; and he attests to the authenticity of the photos and events in the book.

        The farmhouse in question was built in 1790, and over the years it has been a farmhouse, a general store, and a family home, and the same family has lived there generation after generation. The author of the diary is Donna Fillie, who was born in the 1950s. As she grew up, she saw and heard “a wide array of nighttime apparitions” and considered them normal. The family never talked about spirits talking, chanting or singing hymns with outsiders, concerned about what others would think. They treated moving furniture, slamming doors and apparitions as normal.

        Donna began keeping her diary in the 1960s in an attempt to “keep track of what is actually happening.” Among other things, she wrote about loud noises, missing jewelry that turned up again later in a different place, voices, bent silverware, the furnace coming on in the middle of summer, past-life memories of various family members, and babies watching things the adults couldn’t see. Nothing seems to want to harm the family; in fact, whatever is there seems to want to protect and help.

        Hall includes photos showing great-grand-mother’s reflection in a mirror, a cabinet that moved when no one was around, an image reflected in a window, and more. Video and audio are also available at www.williamjhallauthor.com/bonus.html.

        Because neighbors in the area have also reported strange occurrences, there is a theory that the entire site might be a portal to another dimension. The fact that it is in the vicinity of an alleged secret military base might explain some of the cryptids and weird events, including missing time.

        Much as the thought of spirits roaming the house day and night is disconcerting, the family does not feel there is any danger, so as I read the book I wasn’t afraid for the family’s welfare. There were only a couple of incidents that were a bit unnerving.

        Hall visited the house with Paul and Ben Eno, paranormal investigators; astrophysicist Marc Dantonio, and paranormal researcher Shane Sirois. Each offered his thoughts, and it was interesting to get each one’s point of view on certain phenomena.  

        One thing I found refreshing was Shane’s comment on white light leaving a darkened area on a painting: “It is a phenomenon that I have not experienced before.” So many “investigators” would try to make something up. It showed how professional the team was that Shane would say this.

        The Haunted House Diaries is a fascinating read. Once you get past the idea of people living in “Spooky Central” all their lives, you’ll thoroughly enjoy your visit.

- Shawna Caine