Living with Ghosts: Eleven Extraordinary Tales by Prince Michael of Greece (1995)

For Halloween this year (31 October 2015), I thought I would suggest a book to make your hair stand on end. Sensitive souls beware!

"You the living, you understand us so little, we ghosts. Of course, you regret the death of loved ones, you cry, but only because you are missing them. We need you, your thoughts, your prayers, your intentions, the energy that you possess without knowing it. You can improve the condition of ghosts, these souls in waiting, who often are not at peace. Humble beings, devoid of knowledge, wisdom, wandering in the darkness of this world, you can help those who are on the other side of the crystal wall. Whenever you think of us, every time you pray for us, a rocket shoots into the sky and this light will come back to you, will assist and enlighten you."

From the gothic elegance of Powderham Castle in Devon to the ruins of the Chateau de Lagnes in Provence to the moated austerity of Schloss Schwarzenraben in Westphalia, Prince Michael of Greece has sought out eleven of the most celebrated haunted palaces and castles in Europe and describes them on the basis of his personal research and contact with their ghostly inhabitants. Who are the ghosts of these places? A serving woman, an Incan princess, a baroness whose lover was killed by her husband in a duel....

Author: Michael of Greece and Denmark was born on 7 January, 1939 in Rome, Italy. He is a member of the Greek royal family and a descendant of the Romanov and Orléans families. He is also a paternal first cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He is the author of several historical novels and biographies, as well as a contributing writer to the Architectural Digest.

My thoughts: I love this book which I read in 2001. I still remember the feeling of fear I had while reading it. I had goose bumps, not something that normally happens to me when reading dark books. This is a book based on true events, which cannot be explained by normal reasoning. Now, do I believe these ghost stories? Do I believe that Prince Michael communicates with ghosts? I really don't know. Usually, I believe in what I see and in my instinct. But if these stories are not true, then their author is a genius, with an incredible imagination.  Anyway, this book is divinely well written and scary. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the various haunted castles, manors and palaces, enriched with details of their history.