Rating: 
Summary: Chilling; the most frightening book I've ever read
Review: "The Bell Witch" is the most frightening book I've ever read. I frequently read books over, but I've read this one twice in six months, loved it enough from the library that I bought my own copy. This book covers two topics that hold great interest for me, and in which I consider myself well read. The first is hauntings. The second I won't reveal here because to do so would spoil the ending of this tale. However, the incidents cited in these pages made me question many of the things I was convinced I knew about both subjects. The book is made more chilling by the introduction. After having read it, and consulting the footnotes throughout the text, there is little doubt in my mind that this - unlike so many similar works - is a fiction. Read "The Bell Witch." Then read it again. And see if you can shake it from your mind.
Rating: 
Summary: The Monahan Book
Review: After reading the book several times and comparing various aspects of the story to various and little-known factual details, I learned that while very well-written, Monahan's book is purely fictional. The only manuscript written by Richard Powell was his "Ciphering Book," which is on file at the Tennessee State Archives. Nothing is mentioned in the manuscript about the "witch." The existence of Powell's "witch" manuscript is purely fictional, and only serves to add colour and new life to this legend. The book is very well-written, as I noted earlier. However, presenting the "manuscript idea" as some type of "eyewitness account" when it fact it isn't, takes away from the book. I really think this book was written with commercialization and possible screenplay in mind. Hopefully, no screenplay will come out of it because there is enough misunderstanding of the Bell Witch as it is. Add this inaccurate account, and even more people will be mistaken...just because they saw it "in the movies." Some people already even worship Monahan's account (unfortunately)!
Rating:
Summary: A Clever Vehicle for an American Haunting
Review: An astonishing work of "faction," as the author puts it. He utilizes a clever vehicle upon which to base this real-life ghost story. Until I came across the Amazon synopsis, I was utterly convinced of the existence of the yellowing manuscript, laying forgotten in someone's dusty, old attic! What the author proposes is horrifying as he tries to account for the cause of the virulent manifestations, but I must agree with him that the reasoning is most plausible. After reading about this incident many times over the years and wondering what could provoke such a diabolical climax, I am thoroughly satisfied that the Bell haunting has finally been solved
Rating: 
Summary: So so
Review: An interesting story, but I guess I did not really like the way it was written. I would have preferred if the author did not reprint the journal but rather write a fictional story based on the actual events.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and thought provoking
Review: As a native Tennessean, I grew up with tales of the Bell Witch and spent many slumber parties scaring ourselves silly. To this day, I would never utter a bad word about Old Kate. Now, after reading the book, I am fascinated about what Monahan suggests is the real cause of the haunting. Fascinating idea. Is it real? I'd love to know.
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Summary: JUST COME OUT AND ADMIT IT'S FICTION
Review: Does there exist a student of the supernatural who has not heard of the Bell Witch? This is an exceptionally thorough retelling of that story, including details about the creature and the Bell family members that you may not have heard before. If Mr. Monahan's account of how he received this "recently-discovered secret manuscript" is true (and I have no real reason to doubt his claim), then you are in for a real treat: a first-person account of one of the strangest stories in the supernatural history of America. While I doubt that the author of the early 19th-century manuscript - Betsy Bell's husband, Richard Powell - was aware of the CAUSE of the haunting (and I therefore suspect that the explanation is more Mr. Monahan's own speculation), his reasonable hypothesis is as good as any and probably better than most. In any event, this is an excellent account of the Bell Witch haunting and definitely worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: An American poltergeist haunting
Review: Does there exist a student of the supernatural who has not heard of the Bell Witch? This is an exceptionally thorough retelling of that story, including details about the creature and the Bell family members that you may not have heard before. If Mr. Monahan's account of how he received this "recently-discovered secret manuscript" is true (and I have no real reason to doubt his claim), then you are in for a real treat: a first-person account of one of the strangest stories in the supernatural history of America. While I doubt that the author of the early 19th-century manuscript - Betsy Bell's husband, Richard Powell - was aware of the CAUSE of the haunting (and I therefore suspect that the explanation is more Mr. Monahan's own speculation), his reasonable hypothesis is as good as any and probably better than most. In any event, this is an excellent account of the Bell Witch haunting and definitely worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: I lived there.
Review: Having lived in Adams, Tennessee and lived with this story I have to say that much of it is unexplained but legendary. I know people who have had strange things happen that may or may not be coincidental, but unexplainable. I have been to the cave myself and taken pictures. All of the pictures taken at the cave came out foggy vs. the other pictures on the same roll of film. Many may not believe what happened as true, but it cannot be explained away when strange things continue to happen today. Take it or leave it but to dismiss it is difficult. Any book on the Bell Witch only tells of what happened to the Bell family and there has been many incidents in the last 175 years that cannot be explained or proven. It is just accepted.
Rating:
Summary: A compelling read!
Review: I could not put this book down once started. I had to keep reminding myself that it was written from an actual manuscript. I was shocked by the conclusion, but what sense it all, made and what a remarkable man Mr. Powell was
Rating:
Summary: Have just ordered
Review: I have just ordered this book, but, have read another one on the Bell Witch. The Bell Witch haunted my ancestors.(Bell Family) I am interested in finding the book that another person mentioned in the reviews. They were from Keeseville, NY. They said that Richard Bell had written a book. I would like to know if I could obtain a copy. If this person reads this please email me. After I read this book I will give a review.
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