This House is Haunted: The True Story of the Enfield Poltergeist

Some reviewers have felt the book to be dry; but you can't fault it for that as the author makes very clear in the preface that he is a journalist documenting events; and is not trying to frighten anyone or sensationalize the events in any way. In fact, he advises that you look elsewhere if seeking cheap thrills. The author's description of electronic equipment used seems a little tedious at times, but it is easy to understand why he needs to document his work. Personally, I had my own poltergeist experience (which I've reported to the BSPR under my real name); so to me, the book was fascinating, and I blew through it rather quickly.Although I would prefer to give the book four stars, because I feel I didn't quite get to know the family well enough and that there was something a little lacking in this regard, I understand that the author was being respectful in trying to guard their privacy as much as possible, while at the same time, getting this important story out there. Without more input from all the people involved, however, you don't feel you can quite wrap your mind around the whole thing, if it is even possible to do so.Janet, the epicenter child, was removed from the house for extended periods of time, once to a convent run home to be cared for by nuns, and then to a psychiatric ward somewhere. The author does talk about her trances, but not that she would run full speed right into walls, as reported on video by Mr. Gross, the other lead investigator. There is no discussion as to what the psych doctors actually thought, if anything, about the situation (they said Janet was normal) or how Janet herself views the events now as an adult. I would love for a very long and comprehensive documentary to be made about the entire case, incorporating all the many interviews and so forth that were taken, with much more input from the family.I've never heard a single thing from, or about, the youngest son. My feeling is that he just wants to forget. There is a lot of disbelief and ridicule that people who report these things are confronted with, I know; so we just shut down and don't even bother. I feel we owe it to each other, if not to history, however, to open up about our experiences.There is a mind boggling event in the book (sorry for giving it away) where Mrs. Hodgson's niece comes to the front door and sees Mr. Gross, the other investigator, peering out from behind a living room window curtain at her. Rather than let her in, he turns and walks away, climbs halfway up the stairs, pauses to glance back at her, than continues on.In answer to her inquiry as to why Mr. Gross didn't open the door to let her in, she is told that Mr. Gross was not downstairs at all and that he had been upstairs with Mrs. Hodgson the whole time! Fascinating! We have here an apparition of a LIVING person apparently; but the author, a thorough paranormal investigator, strangely doesn't really expand on this at all. Is this a common occurrence in poltergeist cases? Nor do we get the niece's thoughts on this.We don't even really know the author's true opinion of the, "voices," but it is clear to me that the other investigator, Mr. Gross, clearly thought that he was communicating with the dead. Mr. Playfair discovers Tourette's, a syndrome apparently not well known back then, and they consider this as a possible explanation. I don't think anyone today, however, when listening to the voice of, "Bill," would simply chalk that up to Tourette's; nor do I think that any reasonable person, when hearing that little girl's sweet voice, would think that it was capable of faking Bill's.My opinion is that Janet was collaborating with, "the spirit," or whatever it was, as it were using her. Rather than a straight possession, there was a definite interaction between the two. The author states that there was a seamless transition between their two voices. In that regard, old Bill asking, "why do girls get their periods?" really doesn't strike me as too bizarre.All I know, and which this book confirms, is that this world of ours is a much, much, stranger one than most people realize. I feel lucky to have the knowledge, even without the answers.

This book is a real in depth look into what all went on during “the Enfield poltergeist”. Very interesting read. Highly recommend for those into the paranormal.

A captivating tale of a frightening poltergeist manifestation that occurred in a northern London suburb. This is not a piece of fiction; it is the terrifying story of the sudden appearance of an entity that wreaked havoc on the lives of an ordinary family. The author was an experienced paranormal investigator who vouches for the authenticity of the bizarre events he witnessed on a daily basis for more than a year. He is convinced that poltergeists do exist but is not dogmatic about what they really are. This book is great: I give it 5 stars only because I can't give it 10!

This is one of the better accounts of haunting that I have read. I give it three stars because the authors were part of the story and their behavior does not match their words. It is inexplicable why they kept dragging people through the house if the family did not want the attention and the abilities and motives of those who visited was certainly questionable. Their own writing convinced me this was a fake. The older daughter was having problems and sought attention with this behavior. After enough time, the younger daughter jumped onboard. Had the son spent more time there, he would have either outed the sisters or jumped onboard himself. Despite a well-written account, I came away believing the authors either collaborated with the family or took advantage of the family to perpetuate a hoax. How many times can the behavior ONLY occur when the authors are out of the room before they say enough.

This book is the true story behind the Enfield England haunting that inspired the moving the Conjuring 2. It was very interesting learning the real story. Very different than how it’s portrayed in the movie but that’s Hollywood for you.

If you're looking for a good "true" ghost story, this isn't it. This overly long (304) book is simply a series of "events" dutifully captured by author Playfair. Unfortunately, after about 30 pages, you'll find yourself bored silly by yet ANOTHER piece of furniture that moved, a picture that fell, a pen that disappeared, a coat that moved from one room to another, etc and this happens over and over and over and over again. It's terribly boring.Later in the book, the girl Janet starts speaking in another "voice"--but only when the observers leave her bedroom so they can't see the other voice speak. (?)Over and over, the author states, "Of course, she couldn't have done it because I was right there" or "no child could have moved a 100 pound sofa" and so forth. Well, that doesn't "prove" anything.And the cover photo of the girl clearly jumping on her bed is said to be "evidence" that she was "levitating" or being thrown off the bed by an unseen force is just silly. In fact, ALL the photos are just pointless if they are trying to "prove" anything since seeing a pillow on the floor doesn't "prove" it moved from the bed to the floor.Anyway, I thought the "story" of the Enfield poltergeist was much more exciting than this book.And I first heard about this in Will Storr's EXCELLENT (and funny/terrifying) book WILL STORR VS THE SUPERNATURAL. Now THAT is a scary book!

I wanted to love it! I really did! Like many others, after the movie came on television, I wanted to follow it up with the book. I found the book somewhat boring, and I sometimes found it a chore to read. Considering what I paid for it, I was bound and determined to at least finish it. I expected to be scared, I wasn't. I literally don't know what I truly expected, but the extra yawning wasn't it. I downloaded it onto my Kindle and the typos were horrid! Very distracting and hard to get past since they were so numerous. The dialogue was hard to distinguish, too, and I found myself saying: "Oh, someone was speaking there" *insert quizzical look* and I'd have to go back and reread. I give it a 3 stars but it wasn't one of my favs...

I know people who would not read this book on the basis that "poltergeists don't exist so I would be wasting my time". I think that's a small-minded attitude. Whatever the cause, a series of events certainly took place in Enfield in the late 70's and poltergeist activity seems no more unlikely than professional- level sleight of hand/ventriloquism or mass hypnosis which seem to be the only alternatives. There is a story here and Guy Playfair tells it extremely well. It's a real page-turner and should be of interest to any intelligent person with an enquiring mind.

Having watched the movie and the tv adaptation it was great to read about the Enfield haunting from a person who was actually there.Without embellishments or over truths.Well written and grabbed me from start to finish.

A very detailed book on the Enfield case. I was able to understand and gain more information about the case than the tv documentary explains.My only criticism is that the book needs to be checked for mistakes in writing, for example the words ‘tap’ and ‘taps’ are written as ‘rap/raps and rapping.’ Some sentences don’t make sense as well as missing quotation marks.Altogether wether you’re a sceptic or not it’s a great read as the presentation of events and gathered findings are very interesting occurrences none the less. I was able to gain some understanding of unexplainable things that happened to me.

I found this book riveting although I am a sceptic mostly I found this authors account believable and admired his compassion for the family I am a bit of a coward when it comes to books like this but managed this one as it was a account of events rather than just a scare tacticI felt sorry for poor Janet having to go away from her family and be hospitalised and subjected to so many tests when all the while being disbelieved by so many peopleI have also watched the Enfield Haunting a 3 part series on sky 1 which out of curiosity led me to this book but a feel the book gives a much more accurate account of the happeningsI would recommend you read it and make up your own mind

Fantastic insight into one of the most famous hauntings in the world. I've been interested in this story for such a long time, and actually had no idea this book had been written until quite recently. The recent TV series prompted the search, and I have to say the book tells the story so much better, and makes you realise the TV series really didn't do it justice. Guy Playfair is a very engaging story teller which makes this book a great read. Highly recommended.