Forty five years ago my family and I spent some time at the Holiday Inn on Grand Island. I became friendly with the staff and several people told me about a ghost named Tanya who haunted the hotel. They believed she was a child who had been killed in a grist mill fire.
I was intrigued with the story but had no idea what to do with it until, about four years ago, someone on Facebook asked if anyone believed in ghosts or spirits. Within hours there were a great many replies and suddenly I knew, the time had come to write Left Behind: The Cahill Ghost.
From the description of the clothing Tanya wore, mutton chop sleeves and high-button shoes, I surmised that she lived in the early 1900s so that was where I placed my ghost, Lettie.
As I talked about the book I was writing, people approached me to share their stories and Lettie grew into her own person.
What makes this story special is its quiet power: it’s not just about solving a mystery, but about healing, identity, and the courage to face the unknown.
In spite of a grim beginning, and sordid, ugly antagonists she must deal with, Lettie is an engaging and sweet ghost and she does a good job of turning paranormal skeptics into believers.
Carren Strock 