This is a fun and funny book from two personalities who delight in digging up things I didn't need to know, but now I do.

I have been a fan of the "And That's Why We Drink" podcast for a while now, so when I saw that they had written a book, I was super excited to read it. And I was not disappointed. Christine and Em tell these paranormal and true crime stories that would be horrific to read about were it not for the humor that this duo employs to keep the book from feeling too heavy. The stories are well organized, and definitely set up what would be a very interesting road trip with recommendations for haunted/spooky places to visit, as well as the best milkshake/adult beverage places to stop on your road trip. Overall, it was just a really interesting read.

I haven’t heard the podcast, but managed to pick up a copy of the atlas at our local library!

It was interesting, fun and engaging! There are definitely a few spots I wrote down to visit during future travels.

If you're deep in the true crime podcasting community, you may have heard of And That's Why We Drink (total lost opportunity to call this book And That's Why We Drive) and the hosts' banter and exchanges of paranormal (Em) and True Crime (Christine) stories. This book is essentially a more structured version/extension of their podcast (which did make me miss their goofy banter), with a focus on places they've toured, recommendation, and the spooky and crime stories associated with each location.
If you're not deep into the true crime or paranormal podcasting, you may still find appreciation for the stories these lovely folx compiled with their recommendations neatly divided by region. If you enjoy traveling, oddities, supernatural stories, or follow true crime cases OR if you enjoy dessert recommendations or cocktail recommendations, you'll find something neat in this book! As someone into all of the above, I'll have to get myself a physical copy to keep on my shelf.

WOW WOW WOW WOW! So I got this book first as a Netgalley ARC but due to how tiny the font was I just couldn't read a lot, however what I read? I loved, so I was hoping that when it came out I could buy it. Well, it took a bit longer because Amazon, but I got it! And then I could read it perfectly for the spooky month of October! And this was just so much fun. We get paranormal and true crime stories featuring the state/a place in the state featuring ghosts, murders, serial killers, and more, we get a nice intro by both the writers, we get some bonus go there if you are here along with if a bar/food place is black/woman/etc. owned which I loved. The writing style is engaging and tons of fun, spooking me out, freaking me out, but also making me laugh. I also like the illustrations dotted here and there.
And yes, thanks to this book I am now listening (so far listened to 2 of them) their podcast. I am normally not a podcast girl, but I need more of Christine and Em's stories. I hope they make more books!

This was a really fun read. I can say as a non-believer in the paranormal, those sections of each city weren't my favorite but I really liked the true crime stories and I appreciated the list of places to visit in each city. If you're looking to travel and you enjoy the less touristy and more macabre attractions, this is a great resource to give you some places to visit that you probably wouldn't know of otherwise. I think this would be a great gift for someone who is a fan of the podcast, or just for someone that appreciates the travel aspects of the book and wants to know where some good "haunted" attractions are and other strange places to visit by city.

As a side note, I do not listen to ATIWWD so some of the anecdotes shared by the authors go over my head, since they appear to mostly be "inside joke" kind of comments that only listeners of the podcast would get. But, I enjoyed their voices throughout and as a Murderino, you can definitely see how fans of MFM would enjoy this and the associated podcast as well.

Received via Netgalley

Imagine for a moment the most unhinged but fun person that you know or can imagine. Now add in a touch of Zac Bagin’s of Ghost Adventures fame. Sprinkle in some spooky places with two uproarious, loud and gregarious story tellers, and you have a simple idea of just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

It confounds me just how they managed to cram so much humor into this book. If you enjoy alternative humor, delivered by consummate entertainers look no further.

I sincerely hope that they manage to get to visit Alaska and Hawaii just so that there will be another magical creation.

This was really interesting and entertaining! I love learning about haunted places all over!!! I may have to reread this sometime!

A Haunted Road Atlas
Sinister Stops, Dangerous Destinations, and True Crime Tales
by Christine Schiefer; Em Schulz

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had not listened to the authors podcast before but being an occasional strange true crime/ ghost history enthusiast I was eager to listen to this one. They did a solid job of addressing one true crime and one haunting in a variety of locations across the country interwoven with their own experiences with these cities and places. Fans of their podcast will get the most out of this book and audiobook but even though I’m not one of their previous listeners I didn’t find it inaccessible.

Very enjoyable, fascinating info. I have since become an avid podcast fan. 5/5

I loved this book. I love anything haunted and mysterious. I love the illustrations and the design of this book! I've recommended it to all my friends!

This book has a great concept and promise but fell a bit short in delivery for me. The writing style is very elementary and the cartoonish illustrations make it feel more like a YA book. I was also hoping to discover some hidden haunted gems, but this book doesn't offer much in the way of anything new or particular insider insights.

Evidently the authors of A Haunted Road Atlas, Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz, are podcasters whose show And That’s Why We Drink is famous. This I didn’t know when I asked to review, but, of course, I do now. It’s for their fans that this book exists. Their fans will overlook the errors I found like the 1800s is the 19th Century not the 1900s. That amateur snake charmer is not an oxymoron. And, I’m pretty sure they meant consonants when they said vowels in relation to the name Megan. Their fans will probably also overlook the lack of sensitivity that allows work place mass shootings to be listed under fun facts. In (not fun) fact, I’m pretty sure that very little thought went into the section title “Fun Facts.”

They have pages and pages of references, which is not in and of itself odd, except that probably 99% of those references were websites. I mean, why bother using books to research? What is this the 20th Century? 19th? 18th?

On the flipside, the places they list can be of interest to those who want cursory information regarding regional haunted sites or true crime. Information is presented in a pretty perfunctory manner (the sounds the ghosts make almost become painful to read because they have not been finessed one iota and end up sounding the same after a while) with what are intended to be humorous asides tossed in. Other, not haunted, places are listed because the authors have visited them and recommend them.

Sorry to say that A Haunted Road Atlas failed to scare me or make me laugh. The fact that the authors sounded freaked out by some of what they wrote makes me think that scary is not what they’re going for. This one is completely for their fans or wannabe fans.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Is it possible to give MORE than 5 stars? Even as I write this, I think of Christine and her Podcast with her Brother, Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet, and I hope that I do them all some justice by writing it.

But This book was SO. MUCH. FUN. to read. I have been a huge fan of Kristine and Em for several years now, listening to And Thats Why We Drink every sunday as religously as going to church. So when they announced that they were writing a book, I lost my mind with excitement.
And they delivered on that hype! It's a quick and fun read, littered with fun andecdotes and cool facts about the haunts of the US, and adorable illistrations that will keep anyone engaged! And it's not just your most well known haunts and stories, some of them are stories were new to me, and might be new to someone else who is a fan of TrueCrime and Paranormal.
This little book is well researched, well written, and includes, when its available, QR codes to the episodes where they go into much more depth about the stories they've written about here.
ON TOP of all that, winerys and milkshake places for each area, which are not only haunted, but they make a point to note whether the winery or shakeshops are Women, black, or LGBT owned, which I thought was just a nice touch.
All around, this is a fantastic title for those who have a fascniation with True Crime, the Paranormal, and/or traveling. I've already ordered myself a hard copy of this book, and am absolutely ready to make it a must-have item packed in my luggage everywhere I go!

Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with an eARC copy of this book inexchange for an honest review.

Filled with beautiful illustrations, fantastic recommendations, and funny commentary this book is a treat for ATWWD listeners and lovers of all things spooky. Each section is well thought out with a paranormal story and true crime story about the destination as well as things to do /visit. So basically the ultimate American travel bucket list for anyone who like creepy things. Also it is just a beautiful physical book and would make a great addition to anyone's shelves.

‘Jam-packed with illustrations, fun facts, travel tips, and beverage recs, this guide includes some of the country’s most notorious crime scenes, hauntings, and supernatural sightings. You’ll also find Christine and Em’s personal recommendations to the best local bars and ice cream parlors, oddity museums, curiosity shoppes, and more. Explore some of the most bizarre cases you’ve heard on the show, as well as exclusive new content from bayous, basements, and bars!’
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A Haunted Road Atlas by Christtine Schiefer and Em Schiulz and is a paranormal and true crime travel guide to the States, while also sharing fun anecdotes

I’d never listened to their podcast before, but I’m a fan of the macabre and the title intrigued me. I always listen to podcasts on my way into work and after reading this book, I’m going to try listening to a few episodes of theirs this week.

I think this would make a good coffee table book or audiobook(which would be essentially the same as their podcast). Their friendship really shines during the book, which was sweet.

Update now that I have listened to a few episodes of the podcast: If you enjoy the podcast, you’ll enjoy this book because it follows the same format. Each shares a story, one paranormal and one true crime, for each city. Christine shares wine/drink suggestions for the area and Em shares milkshake/ice cream.

It’s an amusing way to read some dark stories based on fact and lore and I enjoyed it. I recommend it if you enjoy paranormal and true crime. Plus I’ll be listening to more of their podcast.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for sharing an eARC of A Haunted Road Atlas by Chrsitine Schiefer and Em Schulz with me. This is my honest review.

Pack your bags. It’s time for a road trip, friends. A Haunted Road Atlas should be your next go-to guide for planning the spooktacular vacation of your dreams. Or nightmares, if that’s what you prefer.

If you’ve heard of the podcast And That’s Why We Drink, and even if you haven’t, this book is written by hosts Christine Schiefer (she/her) and Em Schulz (they/them). I didn’t know about ATWWD before picking up this book, but it’s not necessary at all to enjoy what’s inside. Covering thirty-two states where they toured their podcast, Christine and Em take turns telling one paranormal story and one true crime story for each city from coast to coast. They also recommend local bars, ice cream shops, haunted tours, and other noteworthy attractions that have a haunted or gruesome histories.

If you’re on a road trip or in the process of planning one, this can be a great guide to follow to find some unique places to visit. Christine and Em give a little bit of their own experience with each town, so it comes off as a more personal recommendation. If you’re bored in the car, the book has QR codes for each paranormal and true crime story that link to the related ATWWD episode, so you can listen along. And apparently there’s a scavenger hunt for fans of the podcast to follow, too, but I guess I’m not fan enough to know.

If you’re not on a road trip or not planning on spending that much time in the car ever again, this can still be a fun book to pick up, you can just skip the travel guide parts. The paranormal and true crime stories are succinct with some entertaining, podcast style commentary from Christine and Em. There were a few stories that I’ve heard coverage of before in other podcasts or books, but I was surprised by how many of them were new to me (so many serial killers, y’all). I liked that the authors mentioned if locations from the stories were still around to tour or not because I’m definitely going to visit the haunted place they covered in my hometown.

I’ll recommend this one for fans of true crime, ghost stories, or both. Clocking in at just under 300 pages with some cool illustrations, A Haunted Road Atlas might be old news for long-time fans of ATWWD but perfect if you’re looking for some spooky non-fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of A Haunted Road Atlas by Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz.

Come on an adventure through the continental United States(plus Hawaii) as Shiefer and Schulz tell you ghost stories and true crime tales in each of the states that is mentioned.

This was a great book but needed to be consumed in small chunks. Each story was it's own piece and going from story to story wasn't as much fun as it would be to be looking through this as a true atlas. I think it would make a great coffee table book or, if you are a huge fan of true crime, a way to plan some vacations.

I appreciated the lists of hotels and drink place recommendations. This gives lots of great ideas of where to visit. I also really love the fact that there is a QR code attached to each story that links you to the podcast(s) that mention these ghost or true crime stories so that you can get more information.

If you are wanting an indepth look at certain stories than this is not the book but as an overview to choose something to look into or a way to plan some fun trips that may or may not be haunted I think this is a great book to have in your collection. 5 stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Haunted Road Atlas! I had never heard of the ATWWD podcast before picking up this book, but Em and Christine make it accessible regardless. There were definitely mentions of inside jokes and specific episodes that went over my head, but the spooky stories and recommendations for each city are what make up the meat of the book. I especially appreciated how each city followed the same structure: a short blurb about their experience with that city, a paranormal story, and a true crime story. I'm looking forward to flipping through the physical copy once it comes out. Great for anyone interested in the spooky and strange!

4.5
Reading this book was so much fun. I enjoyed the format very much. I loved how in each state there was a true crime and paranormal story. I’m not a fan of paranormal tales but some of the stories were creepy. I deducted a star because I wish they added photos of some of the people from the crime stories. I googled way too many names which took time away from my reading.

A Haunted Road Atlas was a really creative compilation! I enjoyed listening through the different stories of this book. It was really interesting, and I enjoyed the varied topics that the authors covered.

I will say I think this book is better suited for fans of the podcast, I have never listened to it and there seemed to be a lot of jokes and stories related to the fan community, so they may enjoy that piece more than a random person who picks this up. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.