Phantom of the Tracks — Thomas Kingsley Troupe

According to local lore, the town of Chester, New Jersey, has a resident ghost. But neither Kara nor her best friend (and newest Chester resident) Natalie have ever heard of these stories. Yet it isn't long before the girls discover the legend of the Hookerman, a railroad worker who was in an accident and lost his hand. Some say he still wanders at night looking for his missing hand. But that was a long time ago. There isn't anything Kara and Natalie can do to help the ghost now . . . is there?


Every state has its own spine-tingling stories of ghosts and mysterious hauntings grounded in its regional history. The Haunted States of America series uses real-life ghost lore as jumping-off points to new, chilling tales. An author's note provides historical origins and fascinating facts, but beware: sometimes real life is stranger than fiction.