And we’re back for another Saturday Short ‘n Spooky blog post, Boils and Ghouls! Let’s continue last weekend’s discussion on curiosity, but from a different angle 🔎

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and if you haven’t already, feel free to check out my last Friday’s Daily Prompt response reflecting on the question:

What gets better with age?

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🔎 The Intriguing Mystery of it all…

Are you like me and become absolutely fascinated with exploring abandoned places, mysterious unsolved cases or paranormal anomalies? I mean, as the blog is cleverly and suggestively named, you must be here due to your growing morbid curiosity… correct?

Case studies, abandoned places, or really anything that’s truly better left alone as a “mystery” has always captivated my attention and fascinated my morbid mind!

I grew up loving CSI, Criminal Minds and all those True Crime /Paranormal Investigator TV shows, and also found researching abandoned towns and locations incredibly intriguing and satisfying. I wanted to explore and experience that eerie and unsettling atmosphere first hand in spots where activity one took place…

The photos above were taken back in 2016 while exploring York Redoubt in 📍 Nova Scotia, Canada

For this Hot Ghoul Summer, along with the other relaxing activities I have planned… I really want to dial back into that explorative energy and do some (safe) urban adventuring, by using apps such as Geocaching and Randonautica, to scavenger hunt by way around the city in a curious and creatively-rewarding way!

And since my spooky boy Nick Crowley made a video on just some of the creepy occurrences that have happened while using the Randonautica app, color me very intrigued 🫣

stay tuned for some cool & creepy adventures ☝🏻

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But to guide this post towards some more morbid media recommendations, I want to chat about a few movies I’ve previously viewed, and highly suggest you check out, for all those souls who are captivated and engrossed by the intriguing mystery of it all…

and also, to mention a couple of Horror books that I feel embody the same energy that I’ve been meaning to read.

Mysterious Movies

Case 39 (2009)

In her many years as a social worker, Emily Jenkins (Renée Zellweger) thinks she has seen it all — until she meets 10-year-old Lilith (Jodelle Ferland) and the girl’s cruel parents. When the parents try to harm the child, Emily assumes custody of Lilith while looking for a foster family. However, she soon finds that dark forces surround the seemingly innocent child, and the more she tries to protect Lilith, the more horrors she encounters.

I remember renting this one when Roger’s Video (in NL, Canada) was around, and truly losing sleep over just how creepy of a case it was (fictional or not).

With a star-studded cast including Renée Zellweger, Jodelle Ferland and Bradley Cooper, you just know you’re in for a terrifying treat with this just under-2 hour, mid-2000s Horror gem!

And I mean, it’s Bradley during his prime (*cough* The Midnight Meat Train *cough*) and so you have to give the guy his kudos for horror film commitments!

Session 9 (2001)

A tale of terror when a group of asbestos removal workers start work in an abandoned insane asylum. The complex of buildings looms up out of the woods like a dormant beast. Grand, imposing … abandoned, deteriorating. The residents of Danvers, Massachusetts steer well clear of the place. But Danvers State Mental Hospital, closed down for 15 years, is about to receive five new visitors…

I remember watching and just feeling so unsettled after viewing, especially since it was actually filmed at the abandoned Danvers State Mental Hospital in Danvers, Massachusetts…

Plus, when you see Horatio (sorry, CSI Miami flashbacks) David Caruso in a movie, you’d better buckle up and get ready for an experience…

Another eerie and utterly captivating early 2000s Horror movie that really played with that unsettling and uncomfortable sense of tension… which is delightful!

Also, nothing hits better than those early 2000s Horrors (and I know Sarah from PosssessedbyHorror would agree, heh)

And since we love to talk about Horror books on this blog, I thought I’d share a couple on my TBR that give me the same unsettling vibes and energy!

Intriguing Books

Episode Thirteen

With hooks such as “…a heart-pounding novel of horror & psychological suspense…” and “Fans of paranormal documentaries, ghost-hunting shows, and found-footage horror“, you know you’re in for a terrifying treat.

I’ve had this book on my TBR for so long now, and also have had a library hold placed, but I’ve had to pause it for the time being since I’m so swamped with my NetGalley summer commitments, but the goal is to read this one in the Fall to really set the mood for the terror that will follow…

Search your local library on Overdrive:

+ Available on:

Eight Cases of Jane

Another book on my TBR that I’ve been itching to read 🫣 and also fits perfectly within our intriguing books category!

I’ve only been able to find it on Amazon at this time, but I really hope my local library will soon shelf a copy or even an audiobook version?!

Available on:

And if you already own a copy of the book and want a playlist to go along with your reading experience, the author herself RJ Powell has made you the perfect music mix!

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I truly appreciate you all, Boils and Ghouls 👻, for taking the time to understand the peculiarity of my morbid curiosity and just exactly where it likes to guide me…

I hope you join me on these eventful and explorative adventures and we uncover just what lurks there, in the vast unexplored darkness of the universe 🌌

Also consider subscribing to satisfy your morbid curiosity…

Drop a 🔎 if you’ve read this post in the comments below!

Until we meet again,

Where does your morbid curiosity take you?