Ghost Stories
by Ron Ripley
In his first collection of short stories, Ron Ripley delivers eight spine-tingling tales of the strange and the macabre. Weaving an intricate web of storytelling, readers are asked to join him on a journey through some of the darkest of his works.
Book a room at the old Crowe’s Bed and Breakfast, but be certain you can leave.
Join the Treasure Hunter as he digs up graves and awakens more than just the dead.
Lay beside a homeless man in a Shelter, but make sure you’re not trespassing.
Set up your cameras alongside The Ghost Hunters, just don’t follow them into the dark.
Ghost Stories promises to do more than just make you sleep with the lights on. It will plant a cold kiss on your cheek and draw you into the dark where no one will ever hear you scream!
This horror short story collection contains:
1. Crowe’s Bed and Breakfast
2. The Dog Tracker
3. The Treasure Hunter
4. The Rosary
5. Shelter
6. The Shepherd
7. The Shortcut
8. The Ghost Hunters
**Review
"Excellent book. Will definitely look into more from this author. A new go to author for me. Remind me not to read scary books in bed. I am so awake now!" -Carla L.
"This is a great "let's sit around and scare each other to death" book. All of the stories were short and very good. They got right to the scream. Nothing like a good scare to get your blood flowing. I want more. If you want a quick fix this will give it to you." -Reader
"Good reading of horror short stories. Unexpected plots and twists. Worth reading." -Jerri
"Great stories of terror. Each one a little bit scarier. Loved it! If you enjoy horror, read this! I have read all this author's books; can't get enough!" -Trish F.
"I love spooky stories. These are great reads. Keep them coming!" -Reader
"Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Warning: do not read after dark or before bed. You will be up all night. A can't-be-put-down book of delicious short stories." -Reader
"Great scary story before bedtime. Short enough to read before bed and scary enough to keep the covers tight. Awesome."-Reader
"I really enjoyed reading the short spooky stories. Can't wait to read more." -Reader
"I have read some ghost stories in my life, but those were mild compared to these. My favorite was Shortcut and Ghost hunters. I enjoyed reading them lot." -Reader
From the Inside Flap
Excerpt from Shelter
The glass broke easily, and almost inaudibly.
Ryan knocked out the last few shards which clung to the frame, reached in and unlocked the door.
The sun had begun its slow descent, and the air was bitterly cold. The folks at the soup kitchen had warned the homeless crew about how the temperature might get into the teens. Possibly even the single digits. Time to get rid of your pride and find a bed for the night.
Ryan couldn't agree more.
But he refused to go to a shelter.
Nope. Better to spend the night in jail, He thought.
Except Ryan didn't want to be in custody either.
Plenty of abandoned houses around. And in New England, the heat was almost always left on. Banks couldn't sell a house with burst pipes. Nobody, not even someone who bought a foreclosure, wanted to deal with flooded rooms.
Ryan had broken into plenty of houses before. Not to steal anything. No. Just a place to sleep. Maybe for a night. Sometimes, a week.
It all depended on how nosy the neighbors were.
And Ryan felt like this house, well, he might make it all through winter in this one.
It was at the edge of town on a dead end road.
The nearest house was two lots up. And it looked like the people living there were snowbirds, flown south to Florida weathering out the New Hampshire winter.
Which was fine with Ryan.
Ryan needed a room without windows, if possible. And if not, well, then a room with just one would be fine. He could cover a single window up and allow himself the luxury of a light after the sun went down. A rare treat when you're squatting in an abandoned house. Yes, things looked good.
He popped the door open, slipped inside with a wide step over the broken glass and quickly closed and locked the door. He knew the empty pane would tip off any cop who took a stroll around the house, but Ryan figured he was safe.
Cops usually didn't check on abandoned houses.
They had other occupied places and taxpayers to worry about.
With the door closed behind him, Ryan looked around. Not surprisingly, he was in the kitchen. It was barren of furniture and utensils. A fine layer of dust coated the floor and the counters. The old, analog clock set into a yellow stove ticked away.
Someone's still paying for the electricity, he thought with a smile.
Ryan moved a few steps forward, spotted a wall sconce and found a bulb in it. He quickly unscrewed it, held it to his ear and shook it.
Nothing.
The filament wasn't broken.
Better and better, Ryan thought.
Book a room at the old Crowe’s Bed and Breakfast, but be certain you can leave.
Join the Treasure Hunter as he digs up graves and awakens more than just the dead.
Lay beside a homeless man in a Shelter, but make sure you’re not trespassing.
Set up your cameras alongside The Ghost Hunters, just don’t follow them into the dark.
Ghost Stories promises to do more than just make you sleep with the lights on. It will plant a cold kiss on your cheek and draw you into the dark where no one will ever hear you scream!
This horror short story collection contains:
1. Crowe’s Bed and Breakfast
2. The Dog Tracker
3. The Treasure Hunter
4. The Rosary
5. Shelter
6. The Shepherd
7. The Shortcut
8. The Ghost Hunters
**Review
"Excellent book. Will definitely look into more from this author. A new go to author for me. Remind me not to read scary books in bed. I am so awake now!" -Carla L.
"This is a great "let's sit around and scare each other to death" book. All of the stories were short and very good. They got right to the scream. Nothing like a good scare to get your blood flowing. I want more. If you want a quick fix this will give it to you." -Reader
"Good reading of horror short stories. Unexpected plots and twists. Worth reading." -Jerri
"Great stories of terror. Each one a little bit scarier. Loved it! If you enjoy horror, read this! I have read all this author's books; can't get enough!" -Trish F.
"I love spooky stories. These are great reads. Keep them coming!" -Reader
"Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Warning: do not read after dark or before bed. You will be up all night. A can't-be-put-down book of delicious short stories." -Reader
"Great scary story before bedtime. Short enough to read before bed and scary enough to keep the covers tight. Awesome."-Reader
"I really enjoyed reading the short spooky stories. Can't wait to read more." -Reader
"I have read some ghost stories in my life, but those were mild compared to these. My favorite was Shortcut and Ghost hunters. I enjoyed reading them lot." -Reader
From the Inside Flap
Excerpt from Shelter
The glass broke easily, and almost inaudibly.
Ryan knocked out the last few shards which clung to the frame, reached in and unlocked the door.
The sun had begun its slow descent, and the air was bitterly cold. The folks at the soup kitchen had warned the homeless crew about how the temperature might get into the teens. Possibly even the single digits. Time to get rid of your pride and find a bed for the night.
Ryan couldn't agree more.
But he refused to go to a shelter.
Nope. Better to spend the night in jail, He thought.
Except Ryan didn't want to be in custody either.
Plenty of abandoned houses around. And in New England, the heat was almost always left on. Banks couldn't sell a house with burst pipes. Nobody, not even someone who bought a foreclosure, wanted to deal with flooded rooms.
Ryan had broken into plenty of houses before. Not to steal anything. No. Just a place to sleep. Maybe for a night. Sometimes, a week.
It all depended on how nosy the neighbors were.
And Ryan felt like this house, well, he might make it all through winter in this one.
It was at the edge of town on a dead end road.
The nearest house was two lots up. And it looked like the people living there were snowbirds, flown south to Florida weathering out the New Hampshire winter.
Which was fine with Ryan.
Ryan needed a room without windows, if possible. And if not, well, then a room with just one would be fine. He could cover a single window up and allow himself the luxury of a light after the sun went down. A rare treat when you're squatting in an abandoned house. Yes, things looked good.
He popped the door open, slipped inside with a wide step over the broken glass and quickly closed and locked the door. He knew the empty pane would tip off any cop who took a stroll around the house, but Ryan figured he was safe.
Cops usually didn't check on abandoned houses.
They had other occupied places and taxpayers to worry about.
With the door closed behind him, Ryan looked around. Not surprisingly, he was in the kitchen. It was barren of furniture and utensils. A fine layer of dust coated the floor and the counters. The old, analog clock set into a yellow stove ticked away.
Someone's still paying for the electricity, he thought with a smile.
Ryan moved a few steps forward, spotted a wall sconce and found a bulb in it. He quickly unscrewed it, held it to his ear and shook it.
Nothing.
The filament wasn't broken.
Better and better, Ryan thought.