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Every town has one. That old house in the neighborhood, on the hill, or down the lane, with a past shrouded in mystery and tragedy. Dixon, Illinois has such a house. . . Sela Whitley returns home for vacation, intent on relaxing and reconnecting with all those dear to her. The last thing she expects is to find romance with the handsome new neighbor or to stumble onto a century old family secret. As her relationship with James Stanford grows, so does the mystery, and together they learn the shocking truth behind the grisly past of... Several feet back from the street and amidst dense wild blackberry bushes and shrubbery overgrowth, a pair of tall, white limestone columns stood guard at the entrance of the drive. Their arms of iron, which had been closed for so many years, were now flung open wide. Welcoming anyone whom dared to enter the tree-enshrouded darkness on the other side. To purchase your paperback copy through this website, please use the paypal button or download order form. |
Inspiration for novel: |
The entire story evolved from one small scenario that popped into my mind over dinner one Halloween night. Three costumed figures creeping through a darkened cemetery to a crypt where they make a most shocking discovery. . .
Oakwood Cemetery. Photo by Shannon Bailey 2009 |
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Fun Fact:
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I modeled The Hillerman House after an actual home in Dixon. During my entire youth, I had been intrigued by this particular tree-lined driveway, with its fancy gate and limestone columns. I had always wondered what kind of house I would find at the end of that lane. Well, it wasn’t until many years later that, unbeknownst to the owners and yes, against the posted NO TRESPASSING sign, I snuck up that driveway and found the perfect house for my novel. UPDATE: The Haunted Hillerman House is for sale! The real home that was my inspiration for the Hillerman's house is now up for sale. |
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| Serious Fact: | There have been those before who have gone on the “Hillerman Hunt” to find the house, the Whitley mausoleum and Levi Stuart’s grave. PLEASE do not trespass or disturb any private or public properties described in the book. | |
| Fun Fact: | The Whitley’s were loosely based on my best friend’s family. | |
| Trivia: | The impressive Rock River Assembly Park Hotel and grounds were located at the end of Fellows Street, which is now a residential neighborhood. Pleasure Park was a horse racing track that once existed in the same location as the present day Dixon High School Campus. The island just east of the dam is Van Arnam’s Island. | |
| Trivia: | The bridge collapse tragedy, where my character Rachel loses her mother and nearly drowns, is a true historic event. You can contact the Lee County Historical Society for more information and photos. |  |
The Haunted Hillerman House has undergone some renovations! A new book cover, among others. For those who have an old copy of The Haunted Hillerman House and would like the new & improved version, please send old copy, regardless of its condition, to Bailey's Books, P.O. Box 211, New Castle, CO 81647. A new copy will be sent to you, free of charge, via U.S.P.S. Media Mail. The Haunted Hillerman House: copyright 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010 |
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