#BadMoonRising The Haunting of Chatham Hollow by Mae Clair and Staci Troilo #paranormal #supernatural #horror #TuesdayBookBlog

On By Teri PolenIn Bad Moon Rising

I was over the moon when two of my favorite writers co-authored a book. When I learned it involved mediums, seances, and paranormal research teams, I felt like they’d written it just for me (I’ll pretend they had me in mind). They named different King novels that have stuck with them – but not Misery this time around. Welcome Mae Clair and Staci Troilo!

Which Stephen King novel unsettled you the most?

MAE: Easily The Shining. I read it as a teenager and there are parts of that book that still stick in my head and creep me out. I picked up a new paperback copy last year and want to read it again. As spooky as it was, it was addictive!

STACI: All his stories have left me disturbed for one reason or another, but if I have to pick one, I’ll choose The Stand. Randall Flagg is so disturbing, and the end-of-the-world plot touches a little too close to home.

Which unsolved murder fascinates you the most?

MAE: I’m not a fan of true crime or unsolved murders, but I would REALLY like to know the truth about Lizzie Borden!

STACI: I have to go with the Whitechapel murders and Jack the Ripper. I have my theories as to who he was, but I’d love definitive proof. Then again, maybe the uncertainty is part of the allure.

If you could have a spooky Halloween pet (black cat, owl, bat, rat, wolf, etc.), which would you choose?

MAE: Well, given I already have a black cat, I think she would disown me if I chose a different pet. Raven is far from spooky—people usually describe her as “sweet”­—but I wouldn’t trade her for any other pet!

STACI: I’m obsessed with wolves, but I don’t think they’d make good pets, and I’d hate to domesticate one when they’re already free and happy. I think I’ll choose the black cat. He or she could become friends with my daughter’s white cat. I bet they’d be quite a pair.

Have you ever traveled as research for any of your books? 

MAE: Absolutely! I visited Point Pleasant, West Virginia while doing research for my Point Pleasant series about the Mothman. I spent a few weekends there and got to visit the TNT—a remote area that was once a WWII munitions dump, and the reputed home of the Mothman. Lots of fun and wonderful research.

STACI: I haven’t traveled to study a locale for a book, but I have used places I’ve been as inspiration for my settings. Friends and family tell me they recognize places (even though I usually create fictional towns).

What books did you grow up reading?

MAE: I went through stages—mysteries when I was a kid, then spooky stuff and sci-fi as a teen, followed by fantasy. Now I write mysteries with spooky stuff included, so I guess I’ve gone full circle, LOL.

STACI: I started with Seuss, nursery rhymes, and fairy tales. Moved into mysteries (Trixie Belden was a favorite), then I devoured anything I could get my hands on. That’s probably why I became a multi-genre author. I never could pick just one thing.

What are you working on now?

MAE: I have two finished manuscripts I need to find a home for or publish. One is mystery/suspense, the other is ghost fiction. I’ve also got a novel in the works that is straight mystery and a short story planned that I hope will be the intro to a new series.

STACI: I have (off the top of my head) five series that have at least one book written. I keep hitting pause on whichever I’m working on to do something else (personal or professional obligations), then when I return, I end up choosing a different project to work on. I’m comfortable saying my next release will be in the mystery/suspense/thriller genre, but I really need to pick a series and finish it.  

Thank you for hosting us today, Teri. It’s always fun to be included in Bad Moon Rising, as well as discovering all the great reads featured in your annual tip-of-the-hat to Halloween. You are a rock star for putting it together!

One founding father.
One deathbed curse.
A town haunted for generations.

Ward Chatham, founder of Chatham Hollow, is infamous for two things—hidden treasure and a curse upon anyone bold enough to seek it. Since his passing in 1793, no one has discovered his riches, though his legend has only grown stronger.

In 1888, charlatan Benedict Fletcher holds a séance to determine the location of Chatham’s fortune. It’s all a hoax so he can search for the gold, but he doesn’t count on two things—Victor Rowe, a true spiritualist who sees through his ruse, and Chatham’s ghost wreaking havoc on the town.

More than a century later, the citizens of the Hollow gather for the annual Founder’s Day celebration. A paranormal research team intends to film a special at Chatham Manor, where the original séance will be reenacted. Reporter and skeptic Aiden Hale resents being assigned the story, but even he can’t deny the sudden outbreak of strange happenings. When he sets out to discover who or what is threatening the Hollow—supernatural or not— his investigation uncovers decades-old conflicts, bitter rivalries, and ruthless murders.

This time, solving the mystery isn’t about meeting his deadline. It’s about not ending up dead.

PURCHASE LINK

Author Bios and Social Media

Connect with Mae Clair at BOOKBUB and the following haunts:

Amazon| BookBub| Newsletter Sign-Up
Website | Blog| Twitter| Goodreads| All Social Media

Connect with Staci Troilo at the following haunts:

Website | Blog | Social Media | Newsletter
Amazon ​| BookBub ​| Goodreads

168 thoughts on “#BadMoonRising The Haunting of Chatham Hollow by Mae Clair and Staci Troilo #paranormal #supernatural #horror #TuesdayBookBlog”

    2. Heehee. The black cat scenario made me grin, Joan.
      And I’m reading a book right now that mentions Lizzie Borden and involves a reputed ax murder. The timing sure worked out weird, given I wrote my answers for BMR last month!

      Liked by 3 people

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  4. alexcraigie

    I loved The Haunting of Chatham Hollow! It’s truly spooky but there’s a witty streak of humour running through it that’s very effective. The character development across both time scales was wonderfully realised! xx

    Liked by 4 people

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  5. I also loved The Stand, Staci. I read the book and then saw the movie years (decades) ago, and was mesmerized. I still remember the details (and that’s saying something about this brain of mine!). And I remember you talking about visiting Point Pleasant, Mae. I loved that series, so your research paid off. Congrats to you both on all the projects in the hopper. Wow. Great BMR post, Teri. 😀

    Liked by 5 people

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    1. The movie with Gary Sinise? (I think there’s been more than one version, but that’s the one I know. And it captivated me, too.) There’s now a series on Paramount+ that I keep meaning to check out.

      Thanks for adding your support today, Diana.

      Liked by 3 people

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  12. Judi Lynn

    A great interview with Mae and Staci. Loved the questions, Teri. I’d love to know who the true Jack the Ripper was. I read Pamela West’s Ripper novel and really enjoyed it. The Haunting of Chatham Hollow was one of my favorite reads this year. Good luck with the two books you have finished, Mae. I’m always excited when you publish something new.

    Liked by 3 people

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      2. I have that problem with some blogs, too. When that happens, I try to click the bell in the top right corner, find the comment, and like it there. Even that doesn’t work sometimes. WP is so weird. But thanks for trying, Judi!

        Liked by 3 people

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    3. I would really like to know the truth behind the Ripper case, too, Judi. I guess it’s going to be one of those mysteries that will never be solved.

      I am so glad you enjoyed Chatham Hollow so much. I loved hearing it ranks as one of your favorite reads of the year. That has me Snoopy dancing, LOL.

      Hopefully, one if not both of the two books I have finished will see the light of day in 2023. Thanks for cheering me on with them!

      Liked by 3 people

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  14. What a super fun post today, Teri! Thank you for spotlighting these two talented authors. It’s always great to learn more about them. Staci, I am with you in that I started out reading the regular kid books (loved Fairy Tales) but wound up reading everything. I read every Hardy Boy and Nancy Drew book ever written. 🙂 And maybe that’s why I too am a multi-genre author today. I still read everything. Mae, I love that you traveled to Virginia to research the Mothman (still my favorite of yours!). Great stuff, ladies!

    Liked by 3 people

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    3. I loved the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, too, Jan. I was addicted to those around the same time I was smitten with Scooby Doo on TV. They all still have such a wonderful nostalgic feel to them.

      And I loved making my Mothman trips. Those books are actually may personal favorites too, Maybe because of the amount of research Invested.

      Thanks so much for visiting today and for all your awesome support of Chatham. You rock!

      Liked by 3 people

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  16. Teri, I felt the same way when I saw they co-authored this book. I can’t wait to read it! Ladies, it’s always lovely to see you being promoted. Can’t wait to see what’s next for you both!

    Liked by 3 people

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    2. Thanks so much, Mar. Staci and I had such a great time writing Chatham Hollow. It was a pleasure to work with her, and so much fun brainstorming the story. I’m thrilled to hear the book is on your TBR! Thank you!

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          1. Ha, well, it was in my uber-goth days, so I had all sorts of magical black cat names and none of them seemed to fit her and she didn’t seem to really react to any of them (I’m of the T.S. Eliot school, where I have at least three different names for my cats anyway) and I was making a salad one day, and she’d jumped up on the chair or something and I said to her “Your eyes are the same colour as lettuce” and she made this chirping noise and got all excited, so I was like “Lettuce it is, then!”. Okay, that wasn’t a very exciting story, but…Ha!

            Liked by 2 people

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    2. Thanks for adding your recommendation for Chatham, Gwen. Staci and I both really appreciate the support and your wonderful review. We’re glad to have you visit today while Chatham gets the BMR treatment! 🎃

      Liked by 2 people

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    1. I watched a special on Lizzie a few years ago. It was fascinating. (They concluded she definitely did it.) I think I wonder more now than I did before.

      Thrilled to hear you’re reading our novel. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks, Flossie.

      Liked by 1 person

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    2. Thanks so much, Sandra. It’s always fun to do BMR with Teri, and especially fun this year because I get to do it with Staci. I’m so glad you enjoyed Chatham Hollow. Many thanks for the compliment. Staci and I had such a great time working together we may just do it again one day!

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Aww, thanks, Colleen. What a lovely comment! Thank you so much, and thanks for visiting today to cheer on Staci and me. We are so appreciative of how supportive everyone has been of our joint author venture. Happy Halloween!

      Liked by 3 people

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    2. I doubt I’ll ever forget them. I owned the first thirty-five and read and reread them waiting for the next one to come out. They held a prominent spot on my bookcase for many years. Thanks for dropping by today, Wendy.

      Liked by 1 person

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  24. Teri it’s so much fun reading through the BadMoonRising interview of Mae & Staci. Their camaraderie and writings both come across as amazing!
    Though paranormal is not an easy read for me thanks to childhood scare from Edgar Ellen Poe’s works, the Haunting of Chatham Hollow promises a fun component too with the sparring between the spiritualist and the ghost ! I’ll look it up soon! Thank you!

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    1. Poe does grab on and hold for a while, doesn’t he? The Tell-Tale Heart was my first introduction to his work, and I still remember the chills. If you do choose to give our work a try, I can promise it has some lightness in it to balance the dark.

      As for Mae and me, we were determined that our friendship be preserved above any story problems that might crop up in our partnership. As luck would have it, that was never put to the test. She was a breeze to work with. But I’m glad to know our mutual respect and fondness shows through in this interview. Thanks, Shagun.

      Liked by 1 person

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  25. I totally agree about Lizzy Borden, Mae, and Jack the Ripper, Staci. Did you know that Patricia Cornwell wrote a nonfiction book about Jack the Ripper and giving her theory on the identity? I heard her do a talk on it many moons ago and I remember it was so fascinating. Excellent post!

    Liked by 2 people

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  27. Pingback: #BadMoonRising The Haunting of Chatham Hollow by Mae Clair and Staci Troilo #paranormal #supernatural #horror #TuesdayBookBlog - Jonathan Pongratz

  30. D.L. Finn, Author

    Great double interview and book! The Stand is my all time favorite King book but the Shining is a close second. I second the black cat answers, I have two of them 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. I didn’t realize you were a King fan, Denise. I tend to favor his earlier works over his more recent stuff, but I’ll try to read anything of his if I have the opportunity. 11/22/63 is probably the most recent thing of his I’ve read.

      Thanks for dropping by!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. D.L. Finn, Author

        Huge fan, Staci. I read Carrie in Jr. High and never missed a book. He takes up two of my book shelves. I haven’t read all his latest though but plan to at some point.

        Liked by 2 people

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    1. I know King isn’t for everybody, but I’m always surprised when someone says they’re not a fan. He’s such a household name, I just assume everyone’s devoured half his catalog (at least).

      Thanks so much for the kind words about Chatham Hollow. And about us! Please know I always love your work, too.

      Liked by 2 people

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  33. Sorry I’m late to the party, Ladies, but it wasn’t because I didn’t want to join you. Just dealing with some health issues that slowed me down for a day or two. GREAT post! Loved your answers and the ensuing discussions, and loved The Haunting of Chatham Hollow, too! (Wishing you huge success with it, as well.)

    Thanks for having Mae & Staci here together, Teri. It made for a really fun set of answers. (And btw, I’m with that “bigger than you think” group of folks who do not care for Stephen King’s work, not that it worries HIM a bit.😁)

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. I’m sorry to hear about the health issues, Marcia. But I really appreciate you visiting and saying such kind things about our book and our post.

      As for King? He doesn’t care what I think, either. And THAT doesn’t worry ME a bit. 😉

      Liked by 2 people

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  35. Pingback: #TeriPolen’s #BadMoonRising – Featuring #PaulaCappa – #MaeClair&StaciTroilo – #TeaganGeneviene – #HappyHalloween | The Write Stuff

  36. Victoria Zigler

    Great to see black cats getting so much love during all of this.

    Oh, and I grabbed a copy of this book when I saw it was out. Haven’t read it yet, but it’s on my Kindle at least.

    Liked by 2 people

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  37. Pingback: Hometowns that Stick with Us by Traci Kenworth – A Dash of Words with Loleta Abi Romance Author

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