Florida

The Scary Side of Paradise

The Florida Keys may be a tropical paradise, but behind the swaying palms and ocean breeze lies a haunted past that refuses to rest. From the ancient spirits of the Timucuan Indians to the restless ghosts of pirates, rumrunners, wreckers, and smugglers, these islands are alive with eerie legends and spine-tingling tales.

Did you know the dead in Key West Cemetery outnumber the living by over 44,000 souls? Or that Robert the Doll, one of the world’s most infamous haunted artifacts, still resides in his island home? In Haunted Florida Keys, authors Elizabeth and Bob Randall explore the ghostly folklore and paranormal hotspots scattered from the Everglades to Key West—a region long known as a refuge for outlaws, artists, and the eccentric. Enter the Artist House, where the haunted legacy of Robert Gene Otto still lingers. Smell unexplained smoke in a historic Key West theater. Discover the tragic suicide atop a shipwreck museum’s lookout tower. And beware the mysterious spirits said to live within the roots of the rare Kapok tree. Perfect for fans of haunted travel books, true ghost stories, Florida history, and the paranormal, this book takes you deep into the supernatural soul of the Keys. The sun may shine bright—but the shadows are darker than you think.

Authors Patrick and Patricia Mesmer navigate through spooky tales of vanished sailors, wandering phantoms and lost treasure scattered across the ocean floor.

The Treasure Coast is such a popular destination that some choose to never leave. From the spirits of ancient Indians who once inhabited the beaches to the pirates who spied for passing victims from the safety of the inlets and coves, the region is infused with eerie, tragic history.

A phantom widow keeps watch from the Boston House window for men long ago lost at sea. Spirits of the victims of a murderous cop linger at the Devil's Tree, where their bodies were found. The dreaded pirate Black Caesar still steers his ghost ship toward Dead Man's Point in the St. Lucie Inlet.

Discover the weird sites and peculiar stories that lurk in the shadows of the Sunshine State in this guide for fans of all things freaky.

Millions of people flock to Florida for its beaches and tourist attractions. Most never learn about the strange locations just off the beaten path. In Freaky Florida, Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz share tales of Florida's myths, monsters, massacres and legends—and the hidden history behind them.

In the beautiful Florida Caverns, a second Rip Van Winkle was woken from one hundred years of sleep. The Green Swamp is home to murders, monsters and mysteries galore. A shining castle made of recycled material, built by an artist like no other, gleams within a Florida swamp. A spectral horse heralds tragedy and caused a notorious scandal in a central Florida city. Discover these and other stranger-than-fiction tales in Freaky Florida.

Beyond the sun-drenched beaches and historic charm of Florida’s Atlantic shoreline lies a darker history—one shaped by restless spirits, unsolved mysteries, and stories that refuse to fade. Along this coast, tales of hauntings and paranormal encounters weave through centuries of local lore, blending real history with the unexplained. From the yellow fever epidemic of 1821 to eerie accounts of revenants, mediums, and psychic communities, the region is steeped in legends that challenge logic and invite curiosity.

Explore a coastal town known for psychics and spiritual seekers, and step inside a renowned college said to be haunted by a powerful industrialist, his mistress, and a child whose presence lingers long after death. Discover chilling rumors surrounding Cold War experiments in a grand seaside hotel, where whispers claim that government research crossed unseen boundaries with terrifying consequences. Visit a historic theater where one seat mysteriously folds itself down each night and remains untouched until the curtain falls. Follow the unsettling final transmission tied to Flight 19 and the enduring mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, where vanished aviators left behind questions that still echo today.

Blending Florida history, paranormal investigation, and true ghost stories, this collection is perfect for readers who love haunted travel, supernatural legends, and unexplained phenomena rooted in real places. Both atmospheric and deeply researched, these accounts reveal a coastline where beauty and mystery coexist—the past may be closer than you think. Author Thomas Smith details these stories and more in a haunting collection.