Maine is well known as a land of fresh air and clean water, as the home of L.L. Bean and as one of the most popular camping and outdoor recreation destinations in the country. But what lies behind this idyllic façade? Unmapped roads. Whispering rocks. Deadening fog. Ghost pirates. Lonely islands. THINGS in the woods. This is the great state of Maine, home of Stephen King, land of the Great Northern Woods and all the mystery that lies within their dark footprint. What better setting than this for tales of strange creatures, murderers, madmen and eccentric hermits? From the “Headless Halloween of 1940” to the mystery of who lies in the grave of V.P. Coolidge; from the Bigfoot sightings to the “witch’s grave” in a Portland cemetery, writer and illustrator Michelle Souliere brings to life these strange-but-true tales from the Pine Tree State.
Michelle Souliere is the author and editor of the Strange Maine blog, winner of the Portland Phoenix’s “Best Blog” award in 2008 and 2009, and the Strange Maine Gazette, its print offshoot. She is the founder of the Green Hand Bookshop in Portland, Maine. She spends a portion of her time creating artwork for local display and publication, which includes drawing, painting and photography. She likes Maine very much.