Edgar Allan Poe's tales of madness, horror, and moral lessons continue to resonate nearly two centuries after their creation. Throughout the episode, we unravel the inspirations behind four iconic Poe stories—The Masque of the Red Death, The Oblong Box, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Cask of Amontillado. Drawing parallels between Poe's life and his fictional narratives, we reveal how real-world events, such as disease outbreaks, murder trials, and personal vendettas, served as the dark muses for his unparalleled tales of terror.

Mentioned in the episode:

An Evening of Haunted Holiday Stories in Ottawa & Toronto Haunted Holiday Cards

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Episode 94 – The Raven

The CN Tower is an iconic Canadian landmark. Standing at 553 meters or 1,815 feet, it is one of the tallest free-standing structures in the world. Contemplating the Tower, an intriguing idea crossed our minds. Although it is not known as a haunted place, it possesses unique characteristics that could make it a one-of-a-kind site for an experimental paranormal investigation. Our hypothesis was that if the Tower serves as one of the world's largest antennas for earthly signals, such as radio waves, could we also use it as an antenna to make a connection to the other side or beyond? What would happen if we ascended to the very top of the Tower in the SkyPod and started asking questions?

That is precisely what we did during two nights this past October. In this episode, we will reveal the astonishing results of our investigation. It's not too often that we get to break news on this podcast, but today we'll do just that. We'll share the results from the first-ever paranormal investigations of the CN Tower, and as far as we know, the tallest investigation ever attempted. We are becoming convinced that there is more to hauntings than old creepy buildings or spine-tingling ghost stories. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Episode 147 – Paranormal Investigations with Phantoms of Yore Episode 92 – The Haunting at Home

A ghost story, an Old West shootout, a historical mystery, and an episode of CSI all rolled into one. We share the dramatic tale of Rattlesnake Jake and Buckskin Owens, two outlaws who attempted to terrorize the citizens of Lewistown, Montana, on July 4th, 1884, only to find themselves on the wrong end of a hail of bullets. But the story does not end there. When Susan Craun, a Forensic Anthropology graduate student at the University of Montana, discovered that a local museum had displayed a skull purported to be the remains of Rattlesnake Jake for decades, she embarked on a quest to verify its authenticity. Susan joins us to share her compelling findings and provide insights into working with the potential remains of a local legend. Read Susan Craun’s master’s thesis: Case of Historical Forensics: The Identification of Rattlesnake Jake

If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy: Episode 141 – Solving the Somerton Man Mystery Episode 128 – The Very Strange Afterlife of Elmer J. McCurdy

Join us on a captivating journey through Halloween’s history and traditions. From its ancient Celtic origins to modern-day festivities, we unveil the evolution of this beloved holiday. Discover the origins of iconic Halloween creatures like vampires, witches, and ghosts, and how they’ve become symbols of the season. Explore the playful traditions, from pumpkin carving to the sweet delight of “trick-or-treating.” Whether you’re a Halloween enthusiast or curious about its fascinating history, this episode offers a quick, informative, and spooktacular look at the tales behind our favourite holiday traditions.

In 1972, when Dr. Jan L. Perkowski (pictured) published a report on the strange happenings in Wilno, Ontario, it made international headlines and forever tied the small Eastern Ontario community to Vampire stories. The town has been eager to shake this reputation – focusing instead on its history as the first Polish settlement in Canada. But the vampire lore endures and any online search or local mention of “Wilno” will quickly come up with endless references to vampires. But, there is so much more to the story. In the episode, we share the lesser-reported eyewitness accounts that Perkowski gathered from the locals. They are terrifying and odd. Blending old-world superstitions and beliefs with modern life.

Want to read Dr. Perkowski’s report for yourself? Download it here from The Canadian Museum of History.

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Episode 104 – Vampire Hunting

We have something intriguing for you. Previously, we’ve presented two episodes where our storytellers joined us to share their extraordinary and eerie experiences while leading tours. These episodes were titled ‘Tales from the Tours Vol. 1 & 2.’ We had plans to release a third volume this October when our good friends at the ‘Geist‘ podcast approached us to collaborate on an episode. We proposed a fresh addition to our ‘Tales from the Tours’ series to round out the trilogy. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Episode 23 – Tales From the Tours Vol. 1 Episode 113 – Tales From the Tours Vol. 2

The Haunting at Home is a ghostly online audio experience created by the paranormal experts at The Haunted Walk. Turn the lights down low & conduct a series of fun & spooky experiments in your own home. Will you be able to complete them all – in the DARK? What will you discover in the process? Experience a spine-tingling and thought-provoking night of supernatural thrills & chills. Here is a little sample. Take part in the experiment: https://hauntedwalk.com/experience/the-haunting-at-home/

Let’s face it, our pets can be creepy. Cats are notorious for fixating on empty corners of a room, while dogs may bark, howl, or cower in response to unseen entities. Our furry companions also seem to possess an uncanny awareness of things beyond our perception. Some even make unexpected returns from beyond the grave. Although we don’t know what Mr. Whiskers or Spot are trying to communicate to the resident ghosts, we can explore some hair-raising and tail-wagging tales about pets and the paranormal.

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Episode 56 – Valentino’s Ghost Dog

The case of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon is a chilling mystery that unfolded in the lush jungles of Panama in 2014. The two Dutch women embarked on what seemed like an ordinary hiking trip, but their adventure took a mysterious turn as they vanished without a trace. What followed were eerie discoveries of scattered belongings, bone fragments, a camera that captured haunting images of their time in the wilderness, and confounding phone records. With no conclusive answers and a sense of unease shrouding the entire investigation, the strange elements of this case continue to confound and haunt those who seek to unravel the truth behind the mysterious deaths of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Episode 151 – Forgotten: The Death of Joyce Carol Vincent

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: Ottawa Jail Tours Ending Dec 31. Glen Shackleton, Haunted Walk Founder & CEO, shares the details. Related Epsiodes: Ep 84 - Old Ottawa Jail