Check These Out: Books "Iowa: Haunted Corridor" Author Katie Hopkins Loves

Jan. 6, 2025 – Iowa author Katie Hopkins writes about Iowa history - and loves diving into the spooky and mysterious side of the state. She wrote "Iowa: Haunted Corridor" with her husband, Josh Hopkins, and on Thursday, Jan. 16, she'll bring stories from some of the most haunted local locations to the Downtown Library with a presentation at 6 pm. Attendance is free and open to all; registration is recommended but not required.

Perfect for ghost enthusiasts and history buffs alike, this presentation offers an engaging blend of local folklore and intriguing insights into Iowa's haunted past, from abandoned asylums to historic inns.

The Vice President of the Benton County Historical Society Board of Directors, Hopkins has been involved in the paranormal since 2012, as a paranormal investigator and managing haunted locations. Katie, along with her husband were part of the Edinburgh Manor episode of “Ghost Adventures.” She has also been featured on “My Ghost Story” on the Bio Channel. She has been to many haunted locations in the United States to investigate, the farthest being Old South Pittsburg Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Before her visit to the library, we asked Hopkins for a list of some of her favorite books. Her answers are below, along with some additional books to check out if you want to dive deeper into ghost stories and local history. The books the library has in the collection can be reserved in our catalog by clicking on their cover image.

Books Katie Hopkins Loves

"Mischievous: Ghost Stories and Illustrations" by Adam D. Tillery

This book is perfect for anyone who likes a good ghost story and doesn't want a "persuasive" nature behind it to believe in it. Adam does a great job at placing you in the story, and you can picture the setting of the story by just reading his extremely descriptive writing. Adam also did all of the illustrations for his book. This is one of my favorites, because I love Adam's storytelling, but also, he is a good friend and encouraged me to write my first book! Adam did the illustrations for two of my four books.

"Midnight Assassin: A Murder in the Heartland" by Patricia L. Bryan and Thomas Wolf

I read this book when I was in college in a History of Iowa class. I love a good murder mystery, and this book is just that. I also enjoyed that it was a story that took place in Iowa. It is a tragic story, but the author does a great job of respecting the victims and also making sure you as the reader can make your decision on if the suspect at hand was actually the killer. The overview of the book: "On the night of December 1, 1900, Iowa farmer John Hossack was attacked and killed while he slept at home beside his wife, Margaret. On April 11, 1901, after five days of testimony before an all-male jury, Margaret Hossack was found guilty of his murder and sentenced to life in prison. One year later, she was released on bail to await a retrial; jurors at this second trial could not reach a decision, and she was freed. She died August 25, 1916, leaving the mystery of her husband's death unsolved."

"The Iliiad" by Homer

I was a huge fan of the movie "Troy," and when I got to read what it was based off, that was even better! I love Homer's writing and the Trojan War, and the love story between Paris and Helen is incredible. This goes back to my history roots, too, and I also read this in college. It was one book that I read in Humanities that kept my attention! Homer is very descriptive in his writing, and that is what I need in a book to keep me to the last page. 

Books by Katie Hopkins

"Iowa: Haunted Corridor" by Katie and Josh Hopkins

Follow Josh and Katie Hopkins on a historical haunted tour of the Iowa Corridor. Learn about the urban legends and real ghost stories of the many locations they, as paranormal investigators, have researched. Discover the hidden charms of many well-known historic locations through the Corridor with a number of surprises Iowa has in store. Includes the Granger House Victorian Museum, Coe College, the Old Capitol (Iowa City), Slater Hall at the University of Iowa, the "Outskirts" of the Corridor – and more!

"From Past to Present: The History of Benton County, Iowa" by Katie Hopkins

Join Katie Hopkins as she discusses the many events that took place in Benton County since it's founding in the mid-1840s. Businessmen, tragedies, murder, schools, courthouses, and more shaped present day Benton County. She also brings the past to the present with ghost stories from the town of Vinton, and explains how understanding the past validates the paranormal experiences many have had within the county, specifically the Horridge House in Vinton.

"Visions from the Afterlife" by Katie Hopkins

Visualizing spirits is the gift Katie Hopkins has been given as an Empath. Go on a journey with Katie to some of the most haunted locations in the Midwest and visualize the afterlife as Katie does.

"Seeing Spirits: Opening the Empathetic Door" by Katie Hopkins

Katie Hopkins can "see" spirits. What does it mean to be an empath? Follow Katie on a journey as a seasoned paranormal investigator, from her humble beginnings to discovering her abilities and investigating some of the most haunted locations in America’s Midwest. Have a look inside real paranormal investigations at historic locations, and get an inside glimpse at what spirits really look like through the eyes of an empath.

Additional Books about Iowa and Ghosts

"The Most Gruesome Hauntings of the Midwest" by Chad Lewis

"Ghosts of the Mississippi River from Dubuque to Keokuk" by Bruce Carlson

"Ghosts of the Iowa Great Lakes" by Bruce Carlson

"Ghosts of the Amana Colonies" by Lori Erickson