The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories (also True Singapore Ghost Stories or TSGS) is the bestselling book series in Singapore. With over 1.5 million copies sold,[1] the series has become a household name since its inception in 1989. Russell Lee, the pseudonym for a group of Singaporean authors, compiles reports, stories and interviews about the supernatural. Light and entertaining, each book, which comprises about 30 stories, appeals to both children and mature readers. The latest book in the series, True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 27, was released in 2023.[2]
 | |
| Author | Russell Lee |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories |
| Country | Singapore |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Horror, Drama, Comedy, Non-Fiction |
| Publisher | Angsana Books, Flame Of The Forest Publishing (flameoftheforest |
Publication date | 1989 (Earliest, Book 1) 2023 (Latest, Book 27) |
| Pages | Roughly 160 |
Most of the stories take place in Asia but some take place in other parts of the world. Lee also includes articles about the paranormal, featuring detailed investigations into the occult, witchcraft, vampires and other similar topics. The books are sold in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and some other neighbouring countries.[3]
Under the Russell Lee brand, ghost story authors has been contributing articles and stories about the supernatural since 1989.[4]
Books edit
Below are a list of books published under the series:
| The Complete List | ||
|---|---|---|
| S/N | Book | Year Published |
| 1 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 1 | 1989 |
| 2 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 2 | 1992 |
| 3 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 3 | 1994 |
| 4 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 4 | 1994 |
| 5 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 5 | 1995 |
| 6 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 6 | 1995 |
| 7 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 7 | 1995 |
| 8 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 8 | 1996 |
| 9 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 9 | 1997 |
| 10 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 10 | 1999 |
| 11 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 11 | 2003 |
| 12 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 12 | 2004 |
| 13 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 13 | 2005 |
| 14 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 14 | 2006 |
| 15 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 15 | 2006 |
| 16 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 16 | 2007 |
| 17 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 17 | 2007 |
| 18 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 18 | 2008 |
| 19 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 19 | 2009 |
| 20 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 20 | 2010 |
| 21 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 21 | 2011 |
| 22 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 22 | 2012 |
| 23 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 23 | 2013 |
| 24 | True Singapore Ghost Stories 25th Year Special Edition | 2014 |
| 25 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 24 | 2015 |
| 26 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 25 | 2017 |
| 27 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 26 | 2020 |
| 28 | True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 27 | 2023 |
Television Series edit
A 13-part TV series, True Singapore Ghost Stories, has been produced by I-Media Entertainment in Singapore.[5]
USS Collaboration edit
In 2015, Russell Lee and Universal Studios Singapore collaborated in the production of Halloween Horror Nights at Resorts World Sentosa. Stories and characters from the book series were used in the month-long event. It was like experiencing True Singapore Ghost Stories with a Hollywood twist.[6]
Reception edit
According to the Singapore Book of Records, the True Singapore Ghost Stories is the best-selling local series by a team of writers, and the all-time best-selling local book series, in Singapore.[7]
The Straits Times mentions "Russell Lee’s True Singapore Ghost Stories has been a mainstay on Singapore bestseller lists since they hit shelves in 1989. The material is just so incredibly rich... You just want to read on". While the South China Morning Post stated that "Russell Lee is Singapore’s most popular writer by a long stretch. His prose is clear and his titles snappy." The Star reports that "True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 1 is Singapore’s all-time number one bestseller". However, the brand has been criticized for blatant misinformation in their reading articles, which the authors attempted to deflect by claiming the books are not meant for research but for fun reading. Among the misinformation include the Necronomicon being an actual object in history, Satanism is literal devil worship, and inserting opinionated commentary while posing as a historical or scientific article, namely the authors' beliefs in Creationism and their opposition to Social Justice.[8]
References edit
- ^ "True S'pore Ghost Stories sold at S$9.90 per book for past 33 years". The News Singapore. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ "True S'pore Ghost Stories sold at S$9.90 per book for past 33 years". mothership.sg. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ "What Ever Happened to Russell Lee, the Mysterious Author of 'True Singapore Ghost Stories'?". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ Ho, Olivia (2021). "Unsung S'pore icons: Home-grown horror tales spook a new generation". The Straits Times. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
- ^ "Fear factor". The Straits Times.
- ^ Sile, Aza Wee (2015-10-29). "This is horror, Singapore-style". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ "Best Selling Local Series By A Team Of Writers". Singapore Book of Records.
- ^ "Flame Of The Forest - Books by Russell Lee". www.flameoftheforest.com. Retrieved 2022-07-20.