GHOSTOLOGY

A handbook for budding ghost hunters, compiled by hands both fleshly and spectral.

Per series formula, it’s tricked out with an abundant array of tabs, flaps, and special features, including inset booklets, an envelope of secret-message cards, and a red “gem” within which, in the right light, a ghostly face swims. Also according to established format, it presents itself as an antique manual for “scientific ghostologists” interested in distinguishing hoaxes from real haunts. For extra chills, not only are the galleries of ghostly types and ghost-hunting gear, visits to haunted locales worldwide, and exposés of techniques used by fake spiritualists all marked up by inserted spectral taunts and commentary, but a page has been “torn” out by a mysterious hand and an entire spread sealed with a tantalizing “open at your own risk” sticker. Some glow-in-the-dark elements give intrepid readers further reason to ignore the opening warning that this is “NOT TO BE READ BEFORE BED!” Aside from one image of a sadly stereotypical turbaned swami and nods to Japanese kodama and the “African” obambo, figures living or otherwise in the thick arrays of illustrations default to White. (Oddly, the dybbuk is not identified as from Judaic traditions.)

An ectoplasmic extravaganza, formulaic but (in this case literally) haunting.