Stories of haunted learning institutions abound. This isn’t surprising. Many schools are old and have complex histories. Some have seen better days and others worse. All that remain open for even a few years amass a long list of administrators, faculty, and students who come and go — and in some cases, return in spiritual form.  At least that’s what urban legends and scores of students swear.  Still unconvinced?  Take a peek inside Haunted Colleges & Universities of Massachusetts by Renee Mallet.

This is an impressive guide through just about every college and university in the Bay State. Mallard has done her legwork. She chronicles urban legends and stories associated with famous and lesser-known schools.  When possible, she identifies the ghosts that allegedly wander classroom hallways and dorms.

Take for instance, the weird tales associated with Boston College.  These involve several female ghosts, a small boy, and a phantom dog. Then there’s the sordid love triangle legend associated with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley.  Whether true or not, stories are told about female students who resemble one of the women involved being haunted by her. Other female ghosts are supposedly seen and phantom footsteps heard in some of the school’s ancient halls.

If famous ghosts intrigue you, check out Boston University, where Eugene O’Neill and Albert DeSalvo, aka, The Boston Strangler, still make their presence known.  So does Babe Ruth, who really gets around in spirit form. (See our review of Haunted Baseball.)

Not to be outdone by a phantom MLB player, Smith College touts the spirit of the man who invented basketball at its institution, Dr. James Naismith.

These are but a small sampling the many paranormal entities and events discussed in Haunted Colleges & Universities of Massachusetts.  I like the book for its expansive overview of so many New England schools, as well as Mallett’s honesty. When she can’t track down the source of a frequently told tale or find alleged witnesses to substantiate a strange story, she admits it. Of course, that doesn’t stop her from sharing the disquieting rumors and legends surrounding a school.  It’s certainly a fun book to read during the fall season, as the days grew shorter and dry leaves, propelled by chilly autumn gusts, cackle across dark sidewalks and streets.

— Oscar De Los Santos