So you are probably wondering, “why are they posting haunted stories after Halloween?” Well, for those who believe in the supernatural, ghosts aren't exclusive to the month of October. If you got the chance to read our story about the Ghost Tours of New Hope, this is a follow up with an exclusive interview with Lynda Elizabeth Jeffrey, the daughter of the late Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffrey.

Haunted Village and Valley is part three of the collection of ghost stories from the Delaware Valley. This part of the trilogy is particularly important because it is the last of the stories from Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffrey with an emphasis around New Hope. The book includes 33 stories, some of which are from the own experiences of the author's.

Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffrey is known as Bucks County's original ghost chaser. She started out by writing a column for local newspapers called “It Happened in Bucks.” She wrote about historical figures, events, and places in the area. (Somehow this is weirdly close to Bucks Happening – maybe a connection?). Each story she tried to connect with a ghost. Before she knew it, people were begging for more. The ghost stories and hunts took off. Although Lynda was growing up in Southampton at the time and had her mind on teenage things, she found herself traveling with her mother to interviews and research trips. Lynda never paid too much close attention to her mothers work, but she did realize it was not the ‘typical' occupation for a woman in the 50's.

Lynda now resides in Washington, D.C.,  but I was able to sit down with her since this past weekend she visited New Hope for the official book launch and signing. Although the book was published on October 1st, nearly 20 years after her mothers passing, Lynda had all the passion about her mother and the ghosts. From what started out as a pile of typed notes and stories from her mother, the book is a combination of Adi-Kent's stories and Lynda's stories.

Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffey (Photo courtesy of Lynda Jeffrey)

I've only had the book for less than a day and cannot put it down! I started out a little backwards, at the very last story. I asked Lynda, “have you ever seen a ghost?” She laughed and told me that is the question she has been asked most in her life. She immediately directed me to the chapter in the book where she tells the answer, the last story. Ironically enough, she has not seen a ghost to this point, but her first ever communication with the Great Beyond was with her mother, the day of her funeral. The story is absolutely chilling and I will let you read it for yourself!

Many of the stories connect with New Hope including encounters at the Logan Inn and the unforgettable death of The Golden Girl of TV, Jessica Savitch. Some stories are also from experiences outside of New Hope but Adi-Kent always finds herself back in Bucks County. Her very first encounter actually relates back to Bucks County, although it did not occur here. The title of the story is appropriately named ” the night that convinced me ghosts are real.” Again, you need to read it for yourself to get all the details.

Lynda did not grow up chasing ghosts but felt it was necessary to finish her mother's legacy of telling real and true ghost stories. She still believes in ghosts and continues on the tradition by taking her grandchildren on the Ghost Tours of New Hope.

You can buy Haunted Village and Valley locally at Farley's Bookshop in New Hope or Canterbury Tales Book Shoppe in Peddler's Village. It can also be ordered online at ghostsinthevalley.com

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