Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 2, 1994                   TAG: 9404020107
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Reviewed by LYNN ERWIN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

GHOST TALES THAT'LL MAKE YOU SHIVER

GHOSTS AND HAUNTS FROM THE APPALACHIAN FOOTHILLS: STORIES AND LEGENDS. By James V. Burchill and others. Rutledge Hill. $9.95.

THE GHOSTS OF VIRGINIA. By L.B. Taylor Jr. Progress Printing. $14.

With this winter's ice storms and power failures, the lost pastime of curling up in an easy chair and reading by an oil lamp has become a reluctant way of life.

The good news is that ghost stories are at their creepiest when told by candlelight. And although in good conscience you really shouldn't delight in scaring small children, elderly folks or other kinfolk, these stories are excellent read-alouds to all who might enjoy a shiver or two. So, lower your voice, glance around at the shadows on the wall and read a few of these spooky but true (aren't they always?) tales.

For the not easily scared, Roberta Brown's short stories in "Queen of the Cold-Blooded Tales" are just grim enough to hold the attention of an audience who will claim they are too cool to be read aloud to (i.e. 12-year-old boys). These contemporary stories have numerous mentions of blood, flesh falling off bodies and things rising from the grave. Brown is a teacher and professional storyteller, and she knows just the right words to make one's skin crawl.

"Ghosts and Haunts From the Appalachian Foothills" are legends compiled by the First Draft Writer's Group in rural Georgia. They feature folks of all ages in Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia meeting up with the unknown or having the unknown seek them out. Real places and names are noted so that these stories could, of course, be verified.

Taylor's tales in "The Ghosts of Virginia" are historical accounts of Virginia spirits. They are arranged by region and city so the reader will automatically turn to the story in his or her vicinity. For me, the lady in black roaming about Roanoke was my first choice, and then I moved on to the familiar Route 11 tale, "The Man Who Was Buried Standing Up." Both are thoroughly enjoyable accounts of places we all know.

All three titles are good choices with Taylor's book being the most interesting due to his research and entertaining writing style. Pick up any of these books for the next major storm. And don't forget the candles.

Lynn Erwin is a librarian at Hollins College.