Spooky Costa Rica: Paranormal Halloween Tales by Readers of A.M. Costa Rica

By James J. Brodell

Periodically A.M. Costa Rica, the country's leading English-language daily newspaper, challenges its readers to author relevant fiction. In this case the topic was spooks and the paranormal to mark Halloween 2017. That holiday is not entirely recognized in Costa Rica, so the writing contest provide yet another link between expatriates and their home countries where All Hallows' Eve is a valued tradition. Many English speakers in Costa Rica also are skilled writers, and some have many books to their credit. So the response was enthusiastic, and the fiction submitted drew in many cases on traditions of the Central American country. The stories range from humor to horror with abandon buildings, jungle creatures and even practical jokes providing the narrative. These eight short stories were selected from the contest submissions because each illuminates a different aspect of the country. Costa Ricans already have many paranormal tales, and this anthology adds to the tradition with a Gringo twist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James J. Brodell
• Release date: Oct 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463925874

Book preview

Spooky Costa Rica: Paranormal Halloween Tales by Readers of A.M. Costa Rica

Consultantes Río Colorado S.A. via 5440 North

By the readers and staff of A.M. Costa Rica

Edited by James J. Brodell, editor emeritus

This anthology is copyrighted © 2018 by Consultantes Río Colorado S.A. and James J. Brodell, editor emeritus of A.M. Costa Rica. Individual stories herein are jointly copyrighted by Consultantes Río Colorado S.A. with the permission of the authors who also share individual copyrights.

ISBN: 9780463925874

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage the piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Periodically A.M. Costa Rica, the country's leading English-language daily newspaper, challenges its readers to author relevant Costa Rica-themed fiction. In this case the topic was spooks and the paranormal to mark Halloween 2017. That holiday is not entirely recognized in Costa Rica, so the writing contest provides yet another link between expatriates and their home countries where All Hallows' Eve is a valued tradition. Many English speakers in Costa Rica also are skilled writers, and some have many books to their credit. So the response was enthusiastic and the fiction submitted drew in many cases on traditions of the Central American country. The stories range from humor to horror with abandoned buildings, jungle creatures and even practical jokes providing the narrative. These eight short stories were selected from the contest submissions because each illuminates a different aspect of the country. Costa Ricans already have many paranormal tales, and this anthology adds to the tradition. An added bonus is a newspaper account of strange ghostly goings-on in a small section of San José, the nation's capital.

Table of Contents

1. The Haunted House on a Finca in Costa Rica By L. Michael Rusin

2. The Witching Hour By Albert A. Correia

3. El Cazador de Almas/The Hunter of Souls By Elle Brookes

4. Preparing for the ceremony By J.B. Coursair

5. The Forbidden Zone By SK Hudgins

6. A Fitting End By Marietta Arce

7. The Abandoned Hotel By Mo Morgentaler

8. There is No Difficulty in Finding a Collection of Spirits in City By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Introduction

Any ghost or goblin