Twice in one week, July 30th and 31st, the 3rd edition of my book Haunting Illinois: A Tourist’s Guide to the Weird & Wild Places of the Prairie State rocketed up to #2 in Midwestern Tour Guides on Amazon.com and earned a spot in the “Hot New Releases” section! Released earlier this month by Thunder Bay Press, the new edition retails for $12.95 and is 254 pages. It features beautiful cover photography by the very talented Cari Ann Wayman, from Rockford, Illinois.
I’m very happy that my book made such a strong showing right out of the gate, but it was helped by some strong endorsements. Jeff Belanger, author of The World’s Most Haunted Places, founder of Ghostvillage.com, and host of 30 Odd Minutes, has said, “Ghostly legends dot the Prairie State from its big cities to its small towns. These stories make each community unique in a way that no other landmark ever could… But Michael Kleen understands that these ghosts are more than just stories. As a folklorist and historian, Kleen shows readers the connection between our past and our present. Haunting Illinois is more than just a ghostly travel guide, it’s an adventure offering new insight on the haunts you know, but also takes you on a trip to the spirits in your own backyard.”
Amelia Cotter, author of This House & Maryland Ghosts, has said, “Michael Kleen’s Haunting Illinois is a must-have guidebook for any history, folklore, and ghost enthusiast living in or planning to visit the Prairie State. Haunting Illinois is thoroughly researched and written, providing detailed information, photos, and maps of hundreds of haunted sites, broken down by county. Kleen’s passion for and dedication to the state’s most haunted and historic places will inspire readers to create their own adventures. This book is a fun, informative, and very creepy read!”
M.A. Kleen 