Even More Ghost Stories of Nova Scotia by Vernon Oickle
Reviewed by Anne Smith-Nochasak
Even More Ghost Stories of Nova Scotia is Vernon Oickle’s newest collection of ghost stories, and in it, the author captures the unique relationship between Nova Scotians and the paranormal. These are not “scary stories;” there will not be red eyes burning in the darkness, no ominous rumblings from the depths of the closet. Those stories exist, and have their own value.
Still, when it comes to ghosts, we Nova Scotians usually fit into one of these categories: those who believe and co-exist comfortably with the ghosts in their lives, those who don’t think so but co-exist comfortably beside those who do, those who believe although they have not witnessed paranormal activity, and those who don’t think so for now but accept this might change if the right evidence is presented. Our ghosts usually fit comfortably into our world, and if a growl is heard from behind a chair, we get rid of the chair and move forward. (That does happen in one anecdote in this collection.) Other supernatural happenings might not be so benign, but for the most part, the ghosts of our stories seem to be a peaceful part of life.
Vernon Oickle captures this gentle cultural value perfectly. As for his own beliefs, he professes in the introduction, “I don’t not believe.” His openness of mind and his respect for the storytellers he interviewed are evident. He summarizes on occasion but does not reorganize their stories; sometimes this means the story is not quite consistent, and at times there is a little awkwardness in the sentence structure, but it is thus recorded as it was given. Neither does he embellish or analyze, for he follows the flow of the speakers, and it is authentic to their experience as they recall it. His focus is not so much on the paranormal as on a way of looking at the world—a culture in which the unusual is explained if it can be explained, accepted as the way things are if it can’t.
“Vernon Oickle presents these stories as they are: mysteries that often have unanswered questions. And that is part of their charm.”
He includes records of a variety of manifestations. Some are the subtle signs of a presence: objects moving, lights and doors operating of their own accord. Then there are voices, sounds that can’t be explained, and finally faces in windows, presences sliding into the bed with one, children chatting with “imaginary friends” that are perhaps not imaginary. He includes the evidence of pet responses, and lets us remember that, according to tradition, if animals sense it, it is supposed to be real. Something to think about. In one instance, the family feels unwelcome and compelled to move, but more often, the presence is welcomed, and no threat is felt. This seems to happen whether the presence is identified or not.
In some cases, the paranormal event involves known players who can be named and whose roles described. Often, however, the background to the experience is not known, and the reason for paranormal activity goes unexplained. For this is not a ghost-hunt, or an explanation of the spirit realm. Only in dramatic fiction will the clever family stumble upon the exact clue in a diary they discover while they are digging up the cellar floor! In real life, what happens now or generations ago often goes unrecorded or is only vaguely known. Vernon Oickle presents these stories as they are: mysteries that often have unanswered questions. And that is part of their charm.
Background, characters, and setting are developed, providing a context in which to visualize the story. Sometimes, there is more story than ghost story, and at first this disappointed me. I wanted, for example, the section on Oak Island to be packed with ghost stories. As it was, much of the chapter covered the history of the island, and very little paranormal manifestation was recorded. The background and the expectation, however, are important aspects of our folklore here, and that is what makes a visit to Oak Island memorable, whether spirits are active or not. The setting declares that they could be.
Shelburne County receives detailed attention and the supernatural seems very active there, and we are left wondering, as the author invites us, why this is.
People from a variety of walks of life were interviewed, and although we might question their accuracy or veracity, we would also do well to respect their storytelling rights as the author does. And one source, I know from experience, is indeed practical and highly credible.
The author approaches each teller and each story with openness and respect. These stories are important to those who experienced them, and Vernon Oickle gives them a voice. Whether we read these stories to learn about Maritime folklore or to puzzle our own relationship with the idea of ghosts, this book is fascinating reading. It will not disturb your sleep or make your blood run cold, but maybe as you read, you will recall the mysterious experiences of your own life and wonder. It is a delightful window into a way of relating to the world. Whether for a cultural study or a self-study or both, it is definitely a worthwhile read.
My thanks to Vernon Oickle, MacIntyre Purcell Publishing Inc., and The Seaboard Review of Books for the opportunity to review this book.
About the Author
Vernon Oickle is an international award-winning journalist, editor and writer with 33 years of experience working in newspapers. He is the author of more than 20 books, including Red Sky at Night and the bestselling series, One Crow. Vernon and his wife Nancy have two sons, Kellen and Colby. He continues to reside in Liverpool, where he was born and raised.
About the Reviewer
Anne M. Smith-Nochasak grew up in rural western Nova Scotia, where she currently teaches part-time after years in northern communities. She has self-published four novels with Friesen Press: A Canoer of Shorelines (2021), The Ice Widow (2022), and two books in the Taggak Journey trilogy: River Faces North (2024) and River Becomes Shadow (2025).
A member of the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia, Anne enjoys incorporating local settings into her writing. In her free time, she likes reading, kayaking, gardening, renovating, and exploring the woods with her golden dog, Shay, while her cat, Kit Marlowe, oversees the house. Anne can be contacted through her website. https://www.acanoerofshorelines.com/
Book Details
Publisher : MacIntyre Purcell Publishing Inc.
Publication date : July 23 2025
Language : English
Print length : 170 pages
ISBN-10 : 1772761923
ISBN-13 : 978-1772761924
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