Thursday, March 22, 2018

Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast #12: mother!


On this episode of the Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast, an inter-generational look at the movies, special guest Mark Casale shares his passion for the controversial 2017 Darren Aronofsky film mother! starring Jennifer Lawrence. Will he make a believer out of you in this fiery episode? There's only on way to find out....

Special Guest Mark Casale
Here's the trailer of the film:


Here's the video of the podcast. (Notice the new camera set-up):


Or you can listen to it on our webpage: Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast
Our Podcast is now available for download on iTunes. Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast

Like us on Facebook: Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast.
Follow us on Twitter: YKYPodcast

Check out our other episodes here:


My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can currently buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.



Learn more about the book, click Here.

Listen to me read some chapters here:

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

My Family: The Mystery of Frank John Murphy


By all reports, my great-grandfather Frank John Murphy was a great man.  He served as the fire chief of Dunmore, Pennsylvania, a community outside Scranton, Pennsylvania. It is said he was much-beloved by the community and his family.

He remains, however, a mystery to me.

I have been actively working on my family tree since the death of Gino Protani, an uncle I never met (long story), in 1998. I have subsequently traced most of my familial lines back for centuries, but Frank's lineage has remained elusive despite the fact that I have more information about him than any of my great-grandparents.

I was raised to believe Frank was born on the boat coming over from Ireland. I was about ten-years-old when either my grandmother or grandfather told me this story. According to that legend, Frank's mother, who was traveling alone, died during childbirth. A relative waiting at the dock for the young Irish lass took the orphaned Frank to be raised by relatives in Scranton. It is a great, classic American immigrant tale. I know my great-aunt Eileen Murphy LeStrange, Frank's daughter, believed the tale. But it wasn't true. She was astonished when I read her this biography I found in the book "The History of Lackawanna County" compiled by Thomas Murphy and published in February, 1928:

     Frank John Murphy, who holds the responsible position of chief of the Dunmore Fire Department, is a widely known and highly esteemed citizen of Lackawanna County. He was born in New York City, July 6, 1883, the son of John Murphy and Mary (Healey) Murphy. 
     John Murphy, deceased, was a native of Chicago, Ill. He worked in the steel mills for many years and later was employed in the coal mines of Dunmore, where he had settled at an early date. His wife is also deceased, and they are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Dunmore. 
     Frank John Murphy spent his boyhood in Dunmore and attended the public schools. He went to work in the Johnson breakers as a slate picker and later learned the electrician's trade. He became chief electrician at these breakers and remained in that line of work until 1915 at which time he became chief of the Dunmore Fire Department. About 1899 Mr. Murphy joined the O.S. Johnson Fire Company, a volunteer organization, in which he has since been interested. The local department has been completely motorized and it was through Mr. Murphy's efforts that the double platoon system was organized. He organized the Dunmore Firemen's Department organization, of which he is serving as treasurer. He is also identified with the Pennsylvania State National Firemen's, National Fire Chiefs, and the Keystone Fire Chiefs' Associations. 
     On Aug. 10, 1915, Mr. Murphy married Miss Loretta McLane, the daughter of James and Mary (Jordan) McLane, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England. Mr. McLane, deceased, was a pioneer resident of Dunmore, where his widow resides. Mr. and Mrs. McLane were the parents of the following children: William, Agnes, Theresa, Catherine, and James, all deceased; Ellen, the widow of James O'Hara, lives in Dunmore; Michael, married J. Gilligan, lives in Dunmore; Maria, lives in Scranton; Belinda, the widow of John Morrison, lives in Rochester, N.Y.; Anna F., lives in Scranton; Elizabeth, married Patrick McLoughlin, lives in Scranton; Loretta Murphy; and Ambrose, an adopted son, lives in Rochester, N.Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have been born four children: Francis, born in December, 1916; Paul, born in 1918; James deceased; and Mary Eileen, born in 1924. 
    Mr. Murphy has always been a Democrat. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. 


Eileen was shocked by the story. Although Frank himself was obviously the source of the story, she knew it wasn't true. She never met her grandparents and she was certain that if they were buried in St. Mary's Cemetery she would have known about it. The secrets of Frank's origins also eluded his other children who survived to adulthood.  I know my grandfather Paul James Murphy tried to figure it out prior to his death. So did his brother Francis John Murphy.

So what do I know?

According to his death certificate, Frank Murphy was born on November 15, 1883 in New York City, and that his parents were John Murphy and Mary Toole. The information on the death certificate was supplied by my great-uncle Francis,  Frank's oldest son. However, Francis wasn't a necessarily reliable source. Frank himself, in his Social Security application, said he was born in New York on July 6, 1883, and listed his parents as John Murphy and Mary Touhill.  Hmmm. Case closed, right?  Not so fast. Remember, in the biography above, Frank reported that his mother's name was Mary Healy. Additionally, on his marriage license to Loretta G. McLane, Frank reported that his parents were John Murphy and Mary Shoel, and that they were alive and living in Dunmore. 

Frank and Loretta
Come on, Frank. Get your story straight! Every time you mention your mother you give her a different last name!

So what is consistent? The name of his father: John Murphy, but sometimes Frank says his father was born in Ireland and sometimes he says he was born in Illinois. He is also consistent with the first name of his mother: Mary.  (A pretty safe bet for an Irish girl!) He was also consistent about being born in New York City. Except sometimes Frank is from Chicago. Let's look at the census records.

Frank Murphy can be found in the 1900 Federal Census of Pennsylvania, S.D. 7, E.D. 25, Sheet 9B, Line 62A, living with a Mary Carey, 50, at 171 Grove Street. His birthplace was listed as Illinois!

Mary Carey was a widow with one child who was still alive. She had no listed occupation, but she owned her home free and clear. She had come to America from Ireland in 1875. They lived next door to a large family of Careys, headed by John Carey, 37.  Mary Carey lived until at least 1935. According to his daughter Eileen, Frank wanted Mary to move into the McLane house to help look after his children following the unexpected death of his wife Loretta. However, Loretta's maiden sisters wouldn't hear of it. Additionally, other Carey relatives feared Mary was too old for the job. 

I know what you're thinking.  Perhaps Mary was actually Frank's mother.  That's a tempting thought in theory, but not practice.  My grandfather and his siblings knew Mary very well, and they never suspected she was their grandmother. However, they knew she was a distant relative.

Frank Murphy can also be found in the 1910 Federal Census of Pennsylvania, S.D. 5, E.D. 31, Sheet 10B, living as a boarder at 411 West Grove Street with the family of James Moore. He was listed as being 26, which would mean he was born in 1884. He worked with locomotives in a mine, but he had been unemployed for five months during the previous year.  Once again he was listed as being born in Illinois.

Young Frank Murphy
The head of the household, James Moore, 35, was born in England and worked as a coal miner. His wife Catherine, 33, was born in Ireland. They were married for 14 years and had six children. This family remained close to Frank and his children. James served as Eileen's godfather, and also as a pall bearer at both Frank and Loretta's funerals. He always warmly welcomed Eileen and her children into his home. 

The 1920 Federal Census of Pennsylvania, S.D. 9, E.D. 47, Sheet 2B, Line 84, finds Frank, 36, living with his wife, Loretta, 35, and their children, Francis, 3, and Paul, 11/12, at the McLane family homestead at 802 Irving Avenue. The census form is smudged, but seems to report that he was born in Illinois. He is listed as the borough Fire Chief.


The 1930 Federal Census of Pennsylvania, Lackawanna County, Dunmore, finds Frank J., 47, living with his wife Loretta G., 47, and his son Francis J., 13, Paul, 11, and daughter Mary (Eileen), 6, still living at 802 Irving Avenue. The home was valued at $8,000. In this census, Frank finally gives his place of birth as New York, and reports that both of his parents were born in the Irish Free State. His occupation: Fire Chief, Fire Department. 

So what was it Frank?  New York or Illinois?  (A paid search of the birth records of both Illinois and New York failed to find Frank.)

Another clue linking Frank to Illinois concerns the Balcom family.  Apparently, when Frank was a child he spent the summers in Chicago with the Balcom family. I had photographic evidence of that fact. I remember seeing a photograph of a motorcycle cop with the name Balcom written on the back (sadly lost), and this photograph below labelled "Balcom children."


Prior to his death, my grandfather Paul Murphy made contact with the Balcom family in Chicago. He asked them about Frank Murphy. They knew who Frank Murphy was, they refused to answer any questions about him. That's where my grandfather's search ended.

I thought I finally had the solution to the mystery when my cousin Tom Vought found this clue on page 7 of the Scranton Republican on Monday, June 23, 1924:

Walter Balcom, of Chicago, Ill., has returned to his home after visiting his uncle, Fire Chief F. J. Murphy, of Irving Avenue.

At last an actual link to the Balcoms of Chicago!  Frank is listed as Walter's uncle. I researched that branch of the Balcom family.  Walter was the son of George Balcom, a police officer (like in the lost picture), and Catherine Murphy! The newspaper story would seem to indicate that Frank was the brother of Catherine Murphy Balcom, who was the daughter of Martin J. Murphy and Margaret McCann.  Sadly, however, Frank doesn't seem to fit into the line of Martin and Margaret's children. They raised a large family of children, whom they kept in their home. Why would they ship Frank to relatives in Scranton? Additionally, Frank is too old to be an illegitimate son of either Catherine or one of her sisters.  That said, a William McCann acted as a pallbearer for Frank's wife Loretta....

Oh well.  The search continues, but the answer is obvious to me. Frank was almost certainly illegitimate and he went to great lengths to avoid the stigma associated with that status in those days. It is sad that, despite his status and esteem in the community, he felt the need to obliterate his past.

Hopefully, he left a clue for me somewhere.....

Frank Murphy, later years

Obituary from The Scranton Times on January 23, 1939 (picture included): 

FRANK MURPHY, DUNMORE FIRE CHIEF, IS DEAD 
6-Weeks Illness Is Fatal To Veteran In Public Service 

     Frank J. Murphy, 55, who had been chief of Dunmore's fire department for the past quarter century, died at 8 o'clock yesterday morning at his home, 1119 North Irving Avenue, after a six weeks' illness of heart disease.
     Chief Murphy, a Dunmore native, was elected first as chief of the department, which he later disciplined and improved, in February, 1914, and had held the position continuously until his death.
     Before becoming fire chief, he was head electrician for the Johnson Coal Company of Dunmore and had the distinction of operating the first electric motor used in a mine in this region. 

SET UP PLATOON SYSTEM 

     When he became chief, the department consisted of one truck, three teams and two hand drawn pieces of equipment. Today the department has four motor trucks. He was also credited with establishing the platoon system, and with keeping the electrical fire alarm system working with perfection through his electrical knowledge.
     He was affiliated with nearly all firemen's organization in this region and in 1915 was the organizer of a camp for underprivileged Dundell section youngsters at Moosic Lake. 
     He was president of the Firemen's Relief Association of Dunmore, and officer of the Lackawanna County Federation of Volunteer Firemen, a member of the law committee of the Six-County Firemen's Association, the Keystone Fire Chief's Association of Pennsylvania and the State Firemen's Association of Pennsylvania.
     In 1921 and 1928 he was instrumental in bringing the Six-County Firemen's convention to Dunmore. 

FOUNDED ORGANIZATION 

     He was organizer of the O.F. Johnson Hose Company, later the T.F. Quinn Hose Company; he also organized the Father McManus T.A.B. Society, and was manager of the baseball team representing the Dundell Section of Dunmore.
     Mr. Murphy was a member of St. Mary's Church and its Holy Name Society. In 1915, he married the former Loretta McLane, who died four years ago January 29.
     Surviving are two sons, Francis and Paul, and a daughter, Eileen, Dunmore.
     The funeral will be held on Wednesday morning with a solemn high mass of requiem in St. Mary's Church. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Arrangements by McDonnell & Kane, Dunmore. 


Article from The Scranton Times, January 25, 1939: 

FRANK J. MURPHY RITES ATTENDED BY HUNDREDS 
Solemn High Mass Of Requiem Celebrated In
St. Mary's Church For Former Fire Chief. 

    Frank J. Murphy, chief of the Dunmore fire department for the past quarter of a century, was buried this morning in St. Catherine's cemetery, Moscow, and a fitting tribute was paid to his memory by the large number of persons attending his funeral, conducted from the family home, 1119 Irving avenue, that borough.
     The esteem in which Chief Murphy, who was affiliated with local and state firemen's associations, was held was shown by the large number of out-of-town persons who were present at both the home and the church. A solemn high mass of requiem was celebrated at 10 o'clock in St. Mary's Church, Dunmore, by Rev. James Gilloegly, pastor. Rev. Joseph Kelley was deacon and Rev. Leo V. Murphy was subdeacon. Rev. Charles Carroll, of Taylor; Rev. Charles Gallagher, of Lackawaxen, and Rev. George Jeffery, of Ashley, were seated in the sanctuary. Mrs. Thomas Duffy was the organist and Mrs. Margaret Haggerty sang "Rose of the Cross" and "Panis Angelicus." William Taylor sang "Sweet Savior Bless Us Ere We Go."
     Members of the Dunmore fire department, the Dunmore police department and all borough officials acted as honorary pallbearers. Active pallbearers were: John Gilroy, William Grady, James Moore, Martin Barnack, John Hunt and Thomas Harrison. 
     Rev. Leo Sullivan officiated at the committal services in St. Catherine's cemetery.

Click here for more of my genealogical blogs:


Be sure to check out my memoir The Promise, or the Pros and Cons of Talking with God, published by TouchPoint Press. It is my true story of first faith and first love and how the two became almost fatally intertwined.



Here are some sample chapters of The Promise:

Chapter 7 - Mission Accomplished
Chapter 15 - Quarter To Midnight

Be sure to check out my novel Chapel Street. It tells the story of a young man straddling the line between sanity and madness while battling a demonic entity that has driven his family members to suicide for generations. It was inspired by an actual haunting my family experienced.

You can buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.


Learn more about the book, click Here.

Watch the book trailer:

  

Listen to me read some chapters here:


Read about the true haunting that inspired the novel here:
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 1, An Introduction
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 2, The House
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 3, This Is Us
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 4, Arrival
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 5, Methodology
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 6, Clara's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 7, Clara's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 8, My Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 9, My Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 10, My Tale, Pt. 3
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 11, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 12, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 13, John's Tale, Pt. 1 
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 14, John's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 15, Come Inside!
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 16, Marion's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 17, Marion's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 18, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 19, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 20, Lisa's Tale
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 21, Recap, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 22, Recap, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 23, Recap, Pt. 3

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Sunday, March 18, 2018

Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast #11: Slap Shot


On this episode of the Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast, an inter-generational look at the movies, I brought in the 1977 George Roy Hill hockey film Slap Shot, starring Paul Newman. I recently featured the film in my blog Seven Guy Films about seven films that guys like but women tend not to enjoy.To test the point, we brought back our favorite special guest, writer and comedienne Michele Wojciechowski (Wojo) to bring the female perspective. You'll have to listen to find out if we can convince her that the film is a true classic, or at least a cult classic.

Here's the trailer of the film:


Here's the video of the podcast.  (Notice the new camera set-up):

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Or you can listen to it on our webpage: Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast
Our Podcast is now available for download on iTunes. Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast

Like us on Facebook: Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast.
Follow us on Twitter: YKYPodcast

Check out Wojo's webpage: Wojo's World
And follow her on Twitter: @TheMicheleWojo

Other Episodes:
1. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)2. Marathon Man3. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three4. Hellraiser5. Cinema Paradiso6. The Night Watchmen with actor/producer Ken Arnold7. Black Dynamite with producer Matt Richards8. The Spanish Prisoner9. Special: Presidents Day LaserDisc Hunt10. Natural Born Killers11. Slap Shot12. mother!13. Ladies' Choice14. That Thing You Do! with one hit wonder Lee Bonner15. Body Heat16. Three Days of the Condor17. Martyrs18. Beautiful Boy19. The Princess Bride20. Miracle Mile with Casting Director Billy DaMota21. Waterworld22. Smokey and the Bandit23. The Thing From Another World24. The Hudsucker Proxy25. Goldfinger26. Superman27. LA Confidential28. Little Miss Sunshine29. UHF30. The Witch31. The Haunting (1963)32. Mad Max: Fury Road33. The Counselor34. Raiders of the Lost Ark35. The French Connection36. The 33 with Lou Diamond Phillips37. Round Robin: Mise En Scene II38. Run Lola Run39. Young Frankenstein40. Mud41. The Spitfire Grill42. This Is Spinal Tap43. Singin' In The Rain44. The Hospital45. Klute46. Be Kind Rewind47. Round Robin: Halloween Films48. The Descent49. The Commitments50. Galaxy Quest51. Phantasm52. The Bride of Frankenstein53. Arlington Road54. Round Robin: Holiday Films55. A Christmas Carol (1951)56. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation57. Western Showdown58. Sports Films Showdown59. Buddy Films Showdown60. Vampire Films Showdown61. Wind River62. 3 Day Weekend with filmmakers Wyatt McDill and Megan Huber63. The Shawshank Redemption64. Donnie Brasco with former Mafia associate Kenji Gallo65. Promising Young Woman66. My Favorite Year67. Fletch68. A Hard Day's Night69. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood70. Round Robin: Movie Biographies71. Round Robin: SNL Cast Films72. Working Girl73. Fatal Attraction74. Round Robin: Gangster Films75. Round Robin: Teen Comedies76. Round Robin: Time Travel Films77. Barcelona78. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb79. Nightcrawler80. Wings Of Desire81. The Sting82. Thief83. Round Robin: Scary Movies84. Forbidden Planet85. Friday the 13th Part 5 A New Beginning with star John Shepherd86. Round Robin: Nicolas Cage Films87. Round Robin: Christmas Recommendations 202188. Thunderbolt and Lightfoot89. A Face In The Crowd90. Stir Crazy91. Any Given Sunday with KC Chief Eric Hicks92. Cool Runnings93. Soylent Green94. Ladies Choice 295. Special Oscar Edition: The Power of the Dog,  96. Round Robin: World War II Films97. Round Robin: Biblical Epics98. Born Yesterday,  99. The Vanishing (Spoorloos)100. Airplane!101. Ready Or Not102. They Call Me Trinity103. Streets of Fire104. Round Robin: 1980s Action Films105. Round Robin: Based on a True Story106. What Are We Watching?107. Guilty Pleasures108. Taxi Driver with LA Times Reviewer Gary Goldstein109. The Ninth Configuration110. Chungking Express111. The Maltese Falcon112. Bad Day At Black Rock113. The Green Knight114. Notting Hill115. Citizen Kane116. (500) Days Of Summer117. Odd Man Out118. One From The Heart119. Seven Samurai120. RRR121. Baahubali: The Beginning122: Sardar Udham123. Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil124. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)125. Tumbbad126. This Is Spinal Tap with Joe Macre of Crack The Sky127. Andhadhun128. Kantara129. 3 Idiots130. The Looking Glass War131. Padmaavat132. A Christmas Carol Christmas133. Drishyam (2015)134. Eyes Wide Shut135. Miracle on 34th Street136. Gangs of Wasseypur, Part 1137. Kesari138. The Yakuza139. K.G.F., Chapter 1140. A Room With A View141. Haider142. Once Upon A Time In The West143. The Lunchbox144. Triangle of Sadness145. Eega146. Mr. Deeds Goes To Town147. Super Deluxe, 148. The Banshees of Inisherin149. PK, 150. Apocalypto151. Minnal Murali, 152. Cocaine Bear153. Snake Eyes154. Raatchasan, 155. Collateral156. Like Stars On Earth, 157. Cage Match: Antz vs. A Bug's Life158. Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India, 159. Cage Match: The Truman Show vs.EDtv160. Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, 161. Cage Match: Armageddon vs. Deep Impact162. Nayattu, 163. Cage Match: The Prestige vs. The Illusionist164. Last Film Show, 165. Cage Match: Phone Booth vs Liberty Stands Still166. Kumbalangi Nights, 167. Remakes: The Taking of Pelham 123168. Dhoom 3/169. Remakes: Ghostbusters170. Ayyappanum Koshiyum, 171. Remakes: West Side Story172. Omkara, 173. Remakes: Dracula174. Runway 34, 175. Remakes: Get Carter176. Dil Chahta Hai, 177. Remakes: The Jackal179. English Vinglish, 179. Remakes: The Magnificent Seven180. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, 181. Remakes: Brick Mansions182. Ship of Theseus, 183, Remakes: Murder on the Orient Express184. Pather Panchali, 185: Remakes: The Island of Dr. Moreau186. Joji, 187. Remakes: Beauty and the Beast188. Drishyam (2013), 189. Remakes: The Evil Dead190. Dangal, 191. Remakes: The Day The Earth Stood Still192. Viewer Questions, 193. Ghosts of Mississippi194. Special 26, 195. The Caine Mutiny196. Jersey, 197. And Justice For All....198. Sita Ramam, 199. Woman In Gold200. Agneepath, 201. The Verdict202. Piku203. It Follows204. 13B: Fear Has A New Address205. Planes, Trains and Automobiles206. Anniyan207. A Midnight Clear208. Trance, 209. A Christmas Carol (1984)210. Paa211. Carol212. The Thin Man


My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can currently buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.



Learn more about the book, click Here.

Listen to me read some chapters here:

Sunday, March 11, 2018

TV Free Baltimore: 21 Eyes Interview

The folks at TV Free Baltimore recently interviewed me about the making of my first film 21 Eyes.  The film was about two detectives, played by Academy-Award winner Fisher Stevens and Michael Buscemi, logging the twenty-one security camera tapes concerning the seemingly-botched robbery of a jewelry dealer. The two detectives, who are never seen on camera, soon begin to suspect that the robbery wasn't as open-and-shut as it appeared.

Here's the trailer of the film:


Here is the interview:


If you want to read my account of the making of the film, co-written and directed by Lee Bonner and produced by David Butler, click on the links below:

21 Eyes, A History, Part 1
21 Eyes, A History, Part 2
21 Eyes, A History, Part 3
21 Eyes, A History, Part 4
21 Eyes, About That Nude Scene....

By the way, have you read my memoir yet? It was published by Touchpoint Press and is readily available by all good book vendors.


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Monday, March 5, 2018

CHAPEL STREET is coming....



Chapel Street follows Rick Bakos, a thirty-something loner emotionally scarred by a series of suicides in his family, into a maelstrom of horror. After taking a picture of the wrong grave as a volunteer for a genealogical website, Rick slowly discovers his family wasn’t plagued by mental illness but rather a multi-generational demonic curse. Will he survive the psychological and spiritual onslaught, or follow his mother and older brother into an early grave by his own hand?

The novel is loosely inspired by real events. I lived with my family for a number of years in a very haunted house and experienced the suicides of two siblings. Years later, my mother asked me if I thought the demonic entity in the house might have responsible for their deaths. My answer was yes. I explored that possibility in this book, which draw very loosely upon real people and places and events and even the suicide note of my brother.

Here's what some folks are saying about the book:

“Horror story, metaphysical mystery, romance – Chapel Street is a spine-tingling supernatural thriller mixing family history, religion, dark secrets and a demonic presence into a fantastical yarn. Sean Paul Murphy is a powerful storyteller with a compelling imagination. Warning! Don’t read this battle between good and evil late at night. It’s unputdownable.”


“Evil has many faces in this shocking psychological suspense thriller. With the members of his family stalking him, Rick faces a dark spiritual battle that forces him out of his comfort zone and into a world where only the weapon of faith can give him a chance of survival. With a serving of dry humor, a cast of strong characters, and a sequence of uncanny moments, Chapel Street will draw you into an eerie and soul-awakening journey.”
Krista Wagner

"A great read."
Kenny "Kenji" Gallo
Author,  Breakshot: A Life in the 21st Century American Mafia

“Fun and frightening. Balancing on a wire's edge between sane and insane, dead and undead, Chapel Street draws you into a world where demonic doings are passed down from generation to generation. Invested in the struggle, I desperately wanted the main characters to prevail. My only course of action was to continue reading until the last word.”
Executive Producer, Discovery Communications

Chapel Street is a wonderfully written and frightening book. I see this easily transformed into a haunting movie or streaming series.”
John Molli

“I finished Chapel Street in three sittings. I looked forward to picking it up every time because there was constant suspense and movement. The great thing about this horror story is that it perfectly melds creepy with a nod to faith. That’s often difficult to implement – creating a horror novel with elements of faith without it being cheesy or too over the top.”
Jamie Hope
Author/Contributor,  American Thinker

My in-house editorial process is nearly completed. I want to thank everyone who helped me bring the book this far. I especially want to thank my beta readers Patty Gehret, Beth White Werrell and, of course, my lovely wife Deborah, who saw the book at its rawest. I also want to thank my trusty editor Trish Schweers, who always manages to hammer my work into shape. I would also like to thank my fellow authors and media professionals who took time out of their busy schedules to read the book and offer their advice and kind words.

After much debate and consultation with other writers, I have decided to try to find a traditional publisher for the book rather than self-publish. I am looking forward to that journey, and I hope the book will be available for all soon. Until then, feel free to read these sample chapters.

Other Chapters:
Prologue - My Mother
Chapter 1 - RestingPlace.com
Chapter 2 - Elisabetta
Chapter 3 - The Upload
Chapter 4 - The Kobayashi Maru
Chapter 5 - Gina
Chapter 6 - Tombstone Teri
Chapter 7 - The Holy Redeemer Lonely Hearts Club
Chapter 8 - A Mourner
Chapter 9 - War Is Declared
Chapter 10 - The Motorcycle
Chapter 11 - Suspended
Chapter 12 - The Harbor
Chapter 13 - Bad News Betty

Of course, while you're waiting for the full book, feel free to read my memoir published bt TouchPoint Press:



Here are some sample chapters of The Promise:
Chapter 7 - Mission Accomplished

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