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On a wintry morning in February 1855, the residents of Devon, England, woke to a strange sight. Overnight, a series of mysterious footprints had appeared in the snow, forming a line that stretched over a hundred miles across the countryside. The prints were unlike anything the villagers had ever seen. The hoof-like marks measured about four inches long and three inches wide. They were spaced between eight and sixteen inches apart. The photo is an illustration that appeared in a local paper along with an article about the mystery.

The footprints, now known as the Devil’s Footprints, sparked fear and fascination. The marks seemed to cross not only fields and gardens but also rooftops, high walls, and even rivers without any break. The notion that some unknown creature had traveled such a distance under the cover of darkness sent shivers down the spines of the local population.

As word of the phenomenon spread, so did the speculation. The strange prints were variously attributed to escaped kangaroos, experimental balloons, and even hopping rodents. However, none of these explanations could adequately account for the footprints’ uniform size and the sheer distance they covered.

Some believed that the prints were a hoax, a carefully orchestrated prank to stir up the community. But the consistency of the reports from multiple towns and the extensive range of the trail made this theory seem unlikely. Others turned to folklore, suggesting that the Devil himself had walked the earth that night, leaving his mark in the snow.

What Does the Science Say?

In the decades following the incident, scientists and researchers have attempted to provide rational explanations for the Devil’s Footprints. Some have suggested that the tracks were the result of peculiar weather conditions, such as a combination of thawing and refreezing snow, which could create unusual impressions. Others have posited that an animal, perhaps a donkey or a deer, made the prints while dragging a tether behind it, giving the illusion of a single-file line.

Despite these theories, the mystery remains unsolved. The Devil’s Footprints have become part of local legend, a chilling reminder of the unknown and inexplicable events that can occur in our world.

Today, the story of the Devil’s Footprints continues to intrigue and unsettle. It serves as a compelling example of how an unexplained phenomenon can capture the imagination and fuel the enduring allure of the paranormal. Whether it was a natural occurrence, a clever trick, or something otherworldly, the Devil’s Footprints remain a fascinating chapter in the annals of unsolved mysteries.

For fans of horror and the paranormal, the Devil’s Footprints offer a tantalizing glimpse into the unknown, a reminder that sometimes, the most chilling mysteries are those that refuse to be solved.

Nestled in the lovely town of Estes Park, Colorado, the Stanley Hotel is not just a relaxing retreat with stunning views of the Rocky Mountains—it’s a legendary site steeped in mystery and the paranormal. For horror fans, this iconic hotel is most famously known as the inspiration behind my favorite Stephen King novel, “The Shining.” (SIDENOTE: I think the Stanly Kurick movie is a masterpeice too, but I understand why King wasn’t happy with it.)

Anyway, the hotel has an interesting history.

A Grand Beginning

The Stanley Hotel owes its existence to Freelan Oscar Stanley, an inventor and entrepreneur who, alongside his twin brother Francis, founded the Stanley Motor Carriage Company. In 1903, Stanley was diagnosed with tuberculosis and, seeking the health benefits of fresh mountain air, moved to Estes Park, Colorado. Enchanted by the area’s natural beauty and invigorating climate, Stanley decided to build a grand hotel to attract wealthy Easterners and transform the small mountain town into a high-society resort destination.

Construction began in 1907, and the hotel officially opened its doors on July 4, 1909. Designed in the Colonial Revival style, the Stanley Hotel boasted 48 rooms, each outfitted with modern amenities that were rare for the time, such as electricity, telephones, and indoor plumbing. The hotel quickly gained a reputation for its elegance and the opulent lifestyle it offered.

The Golden Age

During its early years, the Stanley Hotel was a hub of activity and a favorite retreat for the wealthy elite. Guests could enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and tennis. The hotel’s orchestra provided entertainment, and the on-site casino offered a place for guests to socialize and gamble.

Stanley’s influence extended beyond the hotel itself. He was instrumental in developing Estes Park’s infrastructure, including the establishment of the town’s first bank, the construction of a hydroelectric plant, and the improvement of local roads. His efforts helped lay the foundation for Estes Park’s growth and its eventual incorporation as a town in 1917.

Decline and Revival

Despite its initial success, the Stanley Hotel faced challenges during the mid-20th century. The Great Depression, World War II, and changing vacation trends led to a decline in tourism, and the hotel struggled to maintain its former glory. By the 1970s, the once-grand establishment had fallen into disrepair, with many of its original features and amenities deteriorating.

The King Connection

In 1974, Stephen King and his wife, Tabitha, checked into the Stanley Hotel, looking for a brief respite before the hotel closed for the winter. Surprisingly, they were the only guests in the sprawling, isolated building. King was given Room 217, where he experienced a vivid nightmare about his young son being chased down the hotel’s long, empty corridors by an evil force. This unsettling dream, combined with the eerie, deserted atmosphere of the hotel, sparked the idea for what would become one of his most famous works, “The Shining.”

Room 217: The Heart of the Haunt

Room 217 is the epicenter of the Stanley Hotel’s ghostly legends. The room’s haunted reputation dates back to 1911, when a massive explosion occurred due to a gas leak. Elizabeth Wilson, a housekeeper, was thrown through the floor but miraculously survived. She continued to work at the hotel until she died in her sleep in 1951. Since then, guests have reported strange happenings in Room 217, attributing them to Wilson’s spirit. Stories include lights turning on and off, personal belongings being unpacked or rearranged, and the sensation of an unseen presence sitting on the bed. Some have even claimed to see Wilson’s apparition hovering in the room.

The Fourth Floor

Because of Stephen King’s stories most assume that room 217 is the most haunted room at the hotel, but the fourth floor is the actual focal point of its haunted reputation, with numerous guests and staff reporting eerie and inexplicable experiences.

Ghostly Children

One of the most common reports from the fourth floor involves the sound of children playing. Guests have frequently heard the unmistakable sound of giggling, running footsteps, and even playful whispers in the hallway, often late at night when no children are staying in the hotel. These sounds are typically described as light and joyful, yet the fact that they occur in an otherwise empty corridor adds an unsettling element.

Room 428: The Cowboy

Room 428 is one of the most notorious spots on the fourth floor. Guests staying in this room have reported seeing the apparition of a cowboy standing at the foot of the bed or even sitting in the corner of the room. One guest recounted waking up to find a tall figure in a cowboy hat looming over the bed, only for it to vanish moments later. This spectral cowboy is believed to be the spirit of a former hotel worker or a visitor from the past who had a deep connection to the hotel.

The Vortex

The staircase leading to the fourth floor is known as “The Vortex,” believed to be a whirlwind of spiritual energy. Guests and paranormal investigators have reported feeling sudden cold spots, dizziness, or a tingling sensation while ascending the stairs. Photographs taken in this area often show strange anomalies, such as orbs of light or misty shapes, which some interpret as evidence of the paranormal.

Housekeeping Encounters

Even the hotel staff have their share of ghostly tales from the fourth floor. Housekeepers have reported finding rooms in disarray shortly after cleaning them, with furniture moved, bedcovers ruffled, and items scattered. Some have also mentioned hearing their names called out when no one else is around, or feeling as if they are being watched while they work.

A Modern-Day Haunt

Today, the Stanley Hotel embraces its haunted heritage. It offers ghost tours and paranormal investigations, drawing visitors from around the world eager to experience its spooky charms. The hotel also celebrates its connection to “The Shining” with themed events and memorabilia. For those brave enough, staying in Room 217 is a bucket-list experience, blending luxury with the thrill of the supernatural.

Whether you’re a fan of Stephen King’s masterful storytelling or a seeker of paranormal encounters, the Stanley Hotel offers an intriguing blend of history and hauntings. Its grand architecture and scenic beauty contrast starkly with the eerie tales that echo through its halls, making it a must-visit destination for any horror enthusiast. Who knows? You might experience your own brush with the otherworldly during your stay.

Photo by Fern M. Lomibao on Unsplash

Well, St Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching, and I thought it would be fun to read some good Irish horror novels. Here’s a list of Irish horror novels that will keep you up all night reading and thinking about rolling Irish hills.

Cast a Cold Eye by Alan Ryan

Jack Quinlan, an American author, ventures to a secluded village in the western part of Ireland to investigate the Irish Famine for his new book. Despite its serene appearance, the village conceals unsettling mysteries. Peculiar behavior among the locals, the secretive actions of Father Henning, the parish priest, and a cryptic ritual in the cemetery pique Jack’s curiosity. As he delves deeper, he unearths haunting revelations linking past tragedies to present terrors. “Cast a Cold Eye” (1984) is a gripping horror tale, weaving an eerie atmosphere and suspenseful narrative that will captivate readers until its chilling climax.

The Dead House by Billy O Callaghan

This acclaimed debut from an award-winning author offers a chilling blend of contemporary ghost story and gripping psychological thriller. Maggie, a talented artist plagued by romantic misfortune, seeks solace away from London’s chaos to mend both physically and emotionally. Finding refuge on Ireland’s rugged coast, she purchases a dilapidated cottage steeped in history. As renovations near completion, she hosts a weekend gathering with her art dealer and two friends, unaware of the ominous turn the night will take when an Ouija board is introduced. What malevolent force they unwittingly unleash promises to haunt them indefinitely.

October Moon by Michael Scott

An idyllic vacation in Ireland becomes a nightmare when members of an ancient clan decide to pass their curse of immortality on to Rachel and her parents on the mystical night of the October Moon.

Last Ones Left Alive by Sarah Davis-Goff

Orpen, raised in seclusion by her mother and Maeve on a remote island in a post-apocalyptic Ireland, has spent her life training to combat an unseen enemy. Yearning for connection and the chance to find other survivors, she feels drawn to the mainland. However, danger lurks there in the form of the flesh-eating skrake. When disaster strikes, leaving Orpen alone with an unconscious Maeve, she faces a perilous decision. Determined to seek help, she embarks on a treacherous journey across the country to reach the legendary banshees, an all-female fighting force rumored to confront the skrake. Yet, as Orpen soon discovers, the skrake are not the only threat she must confront on her quest.

Nothing on Earth by Conor O’Callaghan

In the midst of the hottest August in memory, a frightened girl seeks refuge at a stranger’s door, forever altering his world. She recounts her family’s eerie existence in the show home of an abandoned housing estate—endless days of sunbathing, stifling nights fraught with strange noises, and cryptic messages appearing on dusty windows. As her family members vanish one by one, doubts arise: Is she truthful? Is he? In a reality where lines blur, discerning truth becomes an elusive task.

The Watchers by A.M. Shine

This Irish horror novel is about to become a movie. I read it last year, but I’m still thinking about seeing it in the theater.

In an uncharted forest where every car breaks down at its edge, Mina’s stranded vehicle leads her into darkness where she encounters a frantic woman urging her to seek refuge in a concrete bunker. Locked inside as screams echo outside, Mina discovers a room with a glass wall and an electric light that illuminates at night, signaling the emergence of the Watchers, who observe captive humans above ground. Desperate for answers among strangers, Mina grapples with questions about the Watchers’ identity and their sinister motives for imprisoning humans and meticulously monitoring their every move.

The Guest House by Abbie Frost

Upon arriving at The Guesthouse, a striking old edifice nestled in a secluded Irish hillside, after booking a room via the Cloud BNB app, you anticipate a tranquil retreat. However, your expectations are shattered as you uncover a chilling reality: a killer has orchestrated your presence along with six other unsuspecting guests, trapping you all within the confines of the ominous building, leaving escape an impossibility.

Well, that’s the list. I hope these Irish horror novels give you all the spooky feelings your looking for. Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day or just any other day these books should sweep you away into an interesting world and get a break from the stressful everyday.

It’s been a good year for horror novels. In 2023, I read a lot more new books than usual. Shockingly, I read enough new books to make a list of the best horror novels from 2023. I haven’t read every horror novel that came out in 2023. There are quite a few that are on other people’s lists that I haven’t gotten to yet, but I thought I could still give you a list of the ones I did read and enjoy in 2023. These are listed in no particular order.

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

This book is a fun ramp that didn’t end up going where I thought it was. It was surprising, fun, and even a bit ridiculous, but I loved it. Here’s the sypnosis.

Vesper Wright left her staunchly religious family at eighteen, never expecting to return. However, when she receives a wedding invitation for her cousin Rosie, she faces a dilemma. Is it a sweet gesture or a trap? Despite the toxic past, Vesper feels compelled to attend, only to unearth a terrifying family secret. This sinister novel delves into the complexities of family ties and the struggle to find one’s place in the world.

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Chuck Tingle is legendary among self-published authors. I’ve never read his other books, but when I heard he was coming out with a horror novel I was fascinated. Let’s just say it didn’t disappoint. I loved the imagery in this one.

Step into Neverton, Montana, a haven of God-fearing residents with hearts of gold. Up in the mountains lies Camp Damascus, proudly touting itself as the nation’s “most effective” gay conversion camp. Behind the facade of a sin-free life lurks an unholy secret, ready to scare you straight to hell.

Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt

Allison Rumfitt weaves a haunting story full of mystery in Tell Me that I’m Worthless. This brutal social commentary is about peeling back the layers of memories to find the truth. It sucked me in, and I couldn’t put it down.

Three years ago, Alice’s life unraveled after a haunting night in an abandoned house with friends Ila and Hannah. Now, asked by Ila to return and confront the horrors within, Alice must rescue Hannah from the clutches of the malevolent force. “Tell Me I’m Worthless” is a poignant work of trans fiction delving into trauma’s impact and the destructive nature of fascism.

Pinata by Leopoldo Gout

I love a good possession story, and Pinata delivers. This book is full of indigenous Mexican mythology.

It was supposed to be the perfect summer. Carmen Sanchez oversees an abbey renovation in Mexico with her daughters, Izel and Luna. An accident unearths ancient artifacts, costing Carmen her job and cutting their trip short. Yet, a malevolent force follows them to New York, foretelling a looming catastrophe. As the Sanchez family is stalked by the unexplainable, it may be too late to escape what’s been awakened. From forgotten worshippers to an imminent awakening, the threat is real.

Lone Woman by Victor LaValle

I’ve enjoyed all of the horror novels I’ve read by Victor LaValle. Lone Woman paints a vivid picture of the rugged individual who settled in the American west.

In 1915, Adelaide Henry carries a locked steamer trunk containing a sinister secret that makes people disappear when opened. Fleeing California after a tragedy, she heads to Montana as a homesteader, dragging the trunk. Amidst the harsh terrain, Adelaide, not truly alone, grapples with a past she’s desperate to bury or redeem. “Lone Women,” a tale of horror, sisterhood, and redemption in early-twentieth-century America, weaves shimmering prose and an unforgettable cast into a gripping narrative.

Monstrilio by Gerado Samano Cordova

This story about parental grief and the evolution of a monster is creative and gut wrenching. It is definitely worth checking out.

Grieving mother Magos cuts out a piece of her deceased son Santiago’s lung, nurturing it until it becomes a sentient Monstrilio hidden in their decaying Mexico City estate. Resembling Santiago, Monstrilio’s impulses threaten their second chance at life. In this thought-provoking meditation on grief and love, Gerardo Sámano Córdova weaves imagination and emotional depth across four acts spanning from Brooklyn to Berlin. “Monstrilio” offers a cathartic portrait of humanity, exploring acceptance and the monstrous sides of love and loyalty.

Mister Magic by Kiersten White

The fact that Kiersten White is an ex-Mormon like me might make me a bit biased on this one. I got partway through the book and recognized the commentary about Mormonism in it. Immediately I had to find a bio of hers and find out if she indeed was. Anyway, this book paints a picture of the sinister picture of how children’s media can influence society.

Three decades post the tragic halt of the children’s show “Mister Magic,” the surviving Circle of Friends cast members strive to move on. Dedicated fans hold onto the show’s lessons, mirroring the cast’s quest for past happiness, friendship, and the protection of Mister Magic. With no surviving videos or records, memories are all they have. A twist of fate reunites them at the remote desert filming compound, revealing a long-awaited convergence. As they reclaim their past, the Circle of Friends, holding the show’s secrets, questions if they are here by choice or if they’ve fallen into a trap.

Everything the Darkness Eats by Eric LaRocca

Everything the Darkness Eats is one of the horror novels I read in 2023 that I can’t get out of my head. I love Eric LaRocca’s writing style. Some of the imagines in the book are tattooed in my mind. The story has problems though, problems that I’m guilty of myself as a writer. The core idea of the story is so fascinating to me though that despite those problems, I loved the book.

In a small Connecticut town plagued by disappearances, a grieving widower harboring a dark secret becomes entangled in a perilous ritual of dark magic led by the enigmatic Heart Crowley. Simultaneously, a local law enforcement member investigating the disappearances uncovers a hidden undercurrent of unbridled hatred beneath the town’s seemingly idyllic facade. This hatred, once unleashed, will irreversibly alter the lives of those who once sought peace in the tranquil town of Henley’s Edge.

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

Tananarive Due is one of my favorite authors. When The Reformatory came out, I couldn’t wait to read it. This book combines the horrors of racism with a ghost story. Due does such an amazing job at taking you back in time. I wish I could write like this.

Twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens, Jr., faces six months at Gracetown School for Boys for defending his sister. As he navigates the terrors of the Jim Crow South and The Reformatory, Robbie’s ability to see ghosts reveals the grim reality within. Boys disappear while forced to work for their so-called crimes, and the haints hint at darker secrets. With friends Redbone and Blue, Robbie learns the rules of survival. Simultaneously, Gloria rallies family and connections in Florida to secure Robbie’s release before it’s too late.

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

I have a weakness for horror novels about cursed films and the occult. This book pulls all of my interests together. It is a slow, brooding story that digs deeply into the lives of the characters. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Montserrat, a talented sound editor, is overlooked in the ’90s Mexico City film industry dominated by a boys’ club. Unseen by her childhood crush, soap opera star Tristán, she becomes entangled in a surreal opportunity when Tristán’s new neighbor, cult horror director Abel Urueta, claims he can change their lives. Urueta seeks their help to shoot a missing scene from a cursed film, promising to lift the curse. However, Montserrat senses a dark presence, and Tristán begins seeing his ex-girlfriend’s ghost. Together, they unravel the mystery of the film and the occultist who once haunted their city, discovering that sorcery and magic extend beyond the realm of movies.