Unexplained

September 15, 2019
Smith, author and host of the book's namesake podcast, explores ten real-life mysteries in chilling detail and examines how they connect to our perceptions of the world. True crime aficionados will enjoy fresh perspectives on Elisa Lam's perplexing death, the unidentified corpse found on Australia's Somerton Park beach, and the recent Slender Man case. Fans of supernatural literature will see a few familiar stories: the Rendlesham Forest UFO incident, the exorcism of Anneliese Michel, and the Mothman sightings. More obscure tales include: a young boy with vivid memories of life as a World War II soldier, a cabinet that wreaks havoc when opened, a ranch plagued by shapeshifters, and a woman stalked by spirits. Smith's writing terrifies but doesn't sensationalize. Complex concepts and theories, like multiverses and singularity, are broken down clearly, but, overall, readers are encouraged to draw their own conclusions. This title will appeal to anyone who ponders the unknown.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)