J.A. Hernandez
Bio
J.A. Hernandez enjoys horror, playing with cats, and hiding indoors away from the sun. Also, books. So many books—you wouldn't believe.
He runs a weekly newsletter called Into Horror History and writes fiction.
https://www.jahernandez.com
Stories (93/0)
Restless Spirits of Bachorza Manor in Poland
Deep within Poland's beautiful landscape stands a place called Bachorza Manor. Bachorza Manor has long been a topic of interest for people who are into architecture and ghostlore. It has a fascinating past, full of grandeur, tales of aristocracy, and, somewhat more recently, whispers of apparitions and dark shadows. Let's briefly tour Poland to find our way to Bachorza Manor, where the boundaries between history and legend blur.
By J.A. Hernandez10 days ago in Horror
Haunting of Ackergill Tower in Scotland
Did you know that every single castle in Scotland is haunted? At least, that's what I suspect because it's the one country I've found with more haunted castles than people. Sure, castles generally have a higher-than-average number of stories about ghosts, but something about castles in Scotland really kicks the paranormal up a notch.
By J.A. Hernandez17 days ago in Horror
Chessie of Chesapeake Bay
Steeped in history and brimming with cryptozoological intrigue, Chesapeake Bay bears a name that can be traced back to a few potential origins. Diving into etymology, the word "Chesapeake" comes from the Algonquian word "Chesepiooc," meaning a village situated at a big river. Chesapeake may refer to the Chesepian or Chesapeake people, a Native American tribe that inhabited the area. The waters of Chesapeake Bay are an ecological haven with a diverse array of life, which may include a giant sea monster named "Chessie" that's been terrorizing the locals for decades.
By J.A. Hernandez24 days ago in Horror
Shaman's Portal in Oklahoma
Have you ever been to a place that just feels creepy? Maybe it was a specific side street in a city, a suburban cul-de-sac, or an isolated forest trail. These types of places are all over if you know where to look. Some of them even have strange stories surrounding them, legends of weird events that make you think twice about venturing into the area.
By J.A. Hernandezabout a month ago in Horror
Templo Mayor, Human Sacrifice, and Cihuateteo of Mexico City
When we think of vampires today, the most common image would likely be pale skin, long fangs, maybe a cape, and Victorian garb. That's popular media talking, though, that can be traced back to places like the penny dreadful Varney the Vampire; or, the Feast of Blood. But the concept of vampires goes much farther back than the 1800s and is present in nearly every part of the world.
By J.A. Hernandez2 months ago in Horror
- Top Story - October 2023
Rodney Alcala, aka The Dating Game Killer
What is it about serial killers that people find so fascinating? And, even more broadly, true crime? From Dexter and You to Ted Bundy documentaries and Jeffrey Dahmer dramatizations, true crime now captivates audiences in a way it never did before. As for why true crime is so popular these days, plenty of theories exist, but there's no general consensus on the matter.
By J.A. Hernandez2 months ago in Criminal
The Butterfly Murders (1979)
I've written before about the collision of horror and science fiction, like in The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein and Son of Frankenstein (1930). But science fiction isn't the only place you can find horror elements. Sometimes, they can be found in unexpected places, like martial arts films and butterflies.
By J.A. Hernandez2 months ago in Horror
Green Clawed Beast of the Ohio River
Every time I learn something about the 1950s, it adds to my already bizarre image of it. The Second Red Scare was in full swing in the United States, and its effects appeared everywhere, like in science fiction novels. By the mid-1950s, there was a huge ongoing UFO craze leading into the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, the last of the Universal Classic Monsters had debuted in Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Florida was panicking from stories of a killer pink cloud.
By J.A. Hernandez2 months ago in Horror
Ghosts of Charleville Castle in Ireland
I don't know about you, but when I think of castles, it's not the inhabited fairy tale or fantasy film variety. Instead, I picture the dimly lit halls with faded portraits, antique furniture, and vast estates—like some castles tucked away in the Irish countryside, where the air itself carries a sense of tranquility.
By J.A. Hernandez3 months ago in Horror
