Welcome to our special Halloween episode on Spirit Sisters with Karina Machado.

I thought it only fitting that I share a haunted house story today. What makes it extra special is that I had the opportunity to catch up with Nell Jones, whose story features in my book Where Spirits Dwell.

Nell is a retired teacher and writer who lives in Stockton, an historic beachside suburb in the NSW city of Newcastle. The traditional custodians of these lands and waters are the Awabakal and Worimi Peoples.

In 2000, Nell bought a derelict, century-old cottage that had once been a general store. The home signified a fresh start for Nell and her then teenaged daughter, but as they would come to discover, they’d have to share it with a cast of spirit visitors. From a vintage dame in a stylish frock, to a smelly coal miner and little girls playing in the backyard, the place “was packed with ghosts,” as a paranormal investigator declared.

At the height of the haunting, Nell called in the investigator from the Australian Institute of Parapsychological Research; his name is Robb Tilley and there’s a chapter about his case files in Where Spirits Dwell.

As Nell shares in our conversation, Robb performed a house clearing but even all these years later, Nell still has a sense that she has company in the house.

Enjoy Nell’s story about her beloved home, portal to the past.

Listen to my book Where Spirits Dwell on Audible: https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Where-Spirits-Dwell-Audiobook/1489357823?source_code=SEMPP30DTRIAL4510830220001&ipRedirectOverride=true&gclid=CjwKCAjw5P2aBhAlEiwAAdY7dF4YCw2Rgfgl32Ywb7CUknFyRqC74411hHydi_vfs5nFtNzDjH0PPRoC_gwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Connect with Karina Machado at karinamachado.com

Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia.

Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters at Kobo.

Buy the audio book of the original Spirit Sisters (narrated by me) at Audible.

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Theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle

I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.