Loch Ness Uncovered: Media, Misinformation, and the Greatest Monster Hoax of All Time

by Rebecca Siegel

An extensively researched, myth-busting account of the world’s most famous monster hoax—the Loch Ness Monster—and a cautionary tale on the dangers of misinformation.

In 1934, a man was walking by a lake in the Scottish Highlands when he saw a long-necked creature swimming in the water. He grabbed his camera and snapped a photo. When the photo landed on the front page of the Daily Mail , it shattered the belief that paranormal creatures were pure fiction. But amid the monster-hunting craze, complex conspiracies soon emerged. The Loch Ness Monster became more than a mysterious sea creature—it became a phenomenon that caused people to question their assumptions and dig for the truth.

Meticulously researched through primary sources and in-depth interviews with key figures, Loch Ness Uncovered is the fascinating true story of the conspiracy that sparked intrigue worldwide. Complete with archival images, an engaging narrative, and a guide to media literacy, here is a nonfiction book that will transport young readers to the thrilling world of monster mania.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, History, Audiobook, Scotland, Monsters

192 pages, Hardcover

Published April 23, 2024

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

One rainy afternoon, I spent an hour watching a documentary on the Loch Ness Monster and at the end, was completely let down when they had no definitive proof, one way or another, if he existed or not. This book will not let you down. It’s incredibly well researched and proves almost definitively (I’ll still hold out a little hope) that Nessie is a media hoax and that he never existed. I enjoyed reading about the various “sightings” and the possible motivations behind them all. I’m just a little sad that I won’t ever really get to see him.

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #AstraPublishingHouse for an honest review.

[Tracy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the audio version of this book. Say and believe what you like, but I believe the Nessie did (and maybe still does) exist. I ❤️ everything around the Loch Ness Monster.

[Naomi Nowak · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was written as a skeptic, but was an interesting book, good for middle school age and up whos interested in monsters like this.

[Mary Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an early copy of Loch Ness Uncovered in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

This book for Middle Graders is an absolute delight. Throughout the whole thing I kept believing the Loch Ness Monster exists in even though I know about the hoax. I just wish the author could have refrained from constant use of the term “fake news”, which is a term I believe can be polarizing. Still, it was well done and I think young people will really enjoy it.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Siegel relates how prior to the 1900s, there were no rumors of a monster in Loch Ness. It wasn't until one woman claimed she saw something in 1933 that rumors started to fly. Siegel relates how the rumors built, how photos were stage, the role King Kong played in the building of the myth, how it helped a struggling economy, and the lengths people have gone to prove or disprove Nessie's existence. In conclusion, Siegel's gives readers pointers in recognizing fake news and not spreading modern day rumors.

This was a fascinating read. I had no idea there was no literature or record of tales of the Loch Ness monster until 1933. This was a fantastic bit of research, investigative reporting, engaging nonfiction writing, and making connections to modern day fake news and how to be savvy readers. Highly recommended.

Notes on content:
Language: There might have been 1 minor swear in a quote.
Sexual content: None
Violence: Deaths of people from old age or in wars is mentioned.
Ethnic diversity: Scottish, South African, and more.
LGBTQ+ content: I don't remember anyone mentioned.
Other: Part of the story involves a staged hunt for the monster, staged footprints, and a staged photograph (the one on the cover). Debates as to motives people had for sharing tales of sightings.

[Summer R Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Rebecca Siegel and NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

I absolutely love to read about the strange and unusual. What's better than that? Monsters! This book goes over a lot of things dealing with the Loch Ness and how it came to be and how it took off in our world! From sightings to pictures and so much more. It's so interesting to read it all and see how it shaped the history of the place it came from.

You hear so much about this creature, but of course, never how it started and from who. Reading this book, you learn that and even more. It truly was interesting to learn about the different people and how they described the creature. Not only that but the creature made the lake very famous and lots of money. Still today, the lake is constantly observed and more in hopes of finding anything of the creature.

Even with so many believers, there are many that don't believe, and this book also goes over that as well. Do you believe it? Or do you not believe? No matter what, this is a good read. I enjoyed it with the pictures and all.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I still hold out slim hope that "Nessie" exists (it's the Scot in me), Rebecca Siegel presents an excellently researched book with an engaging narrative to hold young readers' attentions while teaching a lesson on journalism, "fake news" and how Loch Ness became the "greatest monster hoax of all time." Although I picked it up out of cryptozoology interest, the book ended up being an interesting history of newspapers, the time period before (and during World War II) and in the 1970s when renewed interest in Nessie became more advanced with sonar and developments in photography. So for anyone who thinks "fake news" and "bias" in the media is anything unique to our 21st century American experience, guess again. Readers will also be introduced to concepts of confirmation bias. expectant attention, pareidolia (a person perceives patterns/shapes that do not exist), and homophily (people spend time with others who share their views). Siegel's last chapter offers tips about spotting fake news such as watching out for clickbait, satirical websites (think the Babylon Bee) and bias on the part of the poster. All in all, an enjoyable read.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nessie (the Loch Ness Monster) has been a favorite of many, not just Scots, for a long time. When and how did the story originate? Is Nessie real?
Siegel answers these questions through the lens of information literacy. From the first reports of Nessie in the 1930's to the pranks, feuds, and scientific explorations, Siegel engages the reader with photographs, quotes, interviews, and other primary source material as she reveals one of the biggest hoaxes pulled on the entire world.
What is fascinating is that despite all the evidence to the contrary, people still cling to hope that there really is a Nessie out there in Loch Ness.
Back matter includes an entire chapter on tips for dealing with fake news/misinformation. This may have been better if spread throughout the book - but also nice to have it all bundled together in one place; acknowledgements; source notes; bibliography; index; image credits

[Richard L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up.
* A fun read that manages to be entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time.
* Could have used more visuals - e.g., maps of the region and the loch itself.
* The author does well to provide the historical context which birthed the originating myth and precipitated the "surgeon's photo" hoax.
* How incredible to be reminded that Nessie's existence was definitively debunked nearly 50 years ago, yet belief still persists today, and to a frightening degree. (i.e., nearly one in five Americans and fully one in four Scots)
* While this book is ostensibly aimed at younger readers, the closing chapters are entirely applicable to adults today: understanding why seemingly intelligent people believe in obvious lies, and how to be more discerning consumers of information.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by the publisher

This is similar to Fleming's Crash From Outer Space: Unraveling the Mystery of Flying Saucers, Alien Beings, and Roswell in that it debunks the myth of the Loch Ness Monster, citing lots of first hand accounts of the people who came up with the photograph in the 1930s. I hadn't heard of the article in the 1980s that told the world about the ruse, but never really believed in the monster anyway! This has some black and white photographs, and is definitely narrative nonfiction.

This is the perfect nonfiction accompaniment for Martin's Hoax for Hire, Cooper's The Boggart Fights Back (The Boggart #3), and Savage's Nessie Quest.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a journalist and mentor of teen creators, I highly suggest LOCH NESS UNCOVERED as a primer to understand misinformation of news via the legend of Nessie. We learn through a Tom Wolfe-writing style that the mythical creature was a cash cow to the unknown Loch and newspapers around the world.

To this day, Lock Ness stories pop in newspapers as click bait. Why? Because many still dream that this beautiful Scottish creature is real. With tongue-in-cheek prose, readers will plunge into a historical account of Nessie's journey, her impact on World War II and the consequences of fake news. The book concludes with tips for how to identify misinformation - something we can all use! Highly recommended for kids who love monsters, nonfiction and riveting pages.

[Rebecca Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when something snags your interest, and you wind up falling down a multi-year, multi-library, international rabbit hole?? And then the story that you thought you were writing turns into something else entirely? And you're not just writing about a Scottish cryptid anymore, but instead you're writing a gigantic case study on the perils of media misinformation?

Me too.

I wrote this. I love this. I hope you do too.

[Jennifer Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the ARC.
This was a straightforward sharing of the story of the loch ness monster. Delving deeper into why the myth became so popularized, the author walks young readers through how economics, media, current events, and politics all play a role.
Often history books for kids lack a connection to other historical events of the time. Here the author made connections to how the loch ness monster saga was impacted by global events.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Loch Ness Monster is one of the greatest myths that we have in our time. While these stories have been around for decades, there has not been any definitive evidence that this monster actually lives. Why then, are we so enthralled with the mystery?

This was a fantastic read, and I enjoyed the different mediums that were presented within the book, and the layers of the hoax that were perpetrated.

Great read!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read! Who knew a mythical figure could have so much history behind it? I loved reading the story of “Nessie’s” origins, the print media industry that fed into this sensationalized tourist attractions and the hoax’s that maintained its legacy.

A really fun read with photos, articles and supportive material throughout.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book if you or your young reader are into mysteries and strange or creepy things (not calling Nessie creepy). This is laid out in a really cool way. While teaching about the Loch Ness phenomenon it also serves to educate about "fake news." There is even a summary of tips on ways to spot it at the end.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded. I wish the media literacy best practices weren't back loaded, and somehow I wasn't as interested in the hoax history of one of my favorite crypids as I thought I would be. Still a really interesting case study, and definitely something worth reading even with my qualms about it.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will enjoy adding this nonfiction text to my fourth grade classroom! Sure, it doesn’t really support the Nessie that we all want to know and love, but I appreciated all of the references to media and the background information that helped to explain the Nessie phenomenon.

[katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grabbed this because students in my placement are researching/ doing a unit on cryptids. It’s a pretty fun read, and I can see this book working as a good introduction to thinking critically about what is and is not credible research.

[Leslie Sachlis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you believe that the Loch Ness Monster is real? This book.chronicles the history of attempts to prove or to disprove her existence. It is an interesting read about a Scottish Legend. This legend may challenge you to evaluate what you read more closely. Is it real or fiction?

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

great tool for the 21st century and beyond

Now more than ever we critical thinking and media literacy. This book is a wonderful way of teaching this for anyone looking to get better at these skills.

[Kelly]

This was a great book. I learned a lot. I don't think I even think there is a monster anymore! I loved learning the origin of the picture we all know. That's what has stuck with me the most.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was super interesting, but the writing style was a little dry.

[Kamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and good for very curious kids who have patience

[Troy Sennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A completely unbiased five-star rating. Hi Becky!

For real, this was a really fun, informative read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nonfiction with biliography, websites, etc. Cool chapter at the end on how to evaluate news and tips for identifying fake news

[Nora Vonnahme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe it was fake

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging and well researched book about the evidence for the Loch Ness Monster and how confirmation bias and faked stories make us believe in fake information.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+

[Caitlin Nikolai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A seemingly unbiased look at Nessie the monster in Loch Ness, to determine if she is (or was) real or not. I enjoyed the read and the stories uncovered even though it's written for middle schoolers.