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Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire
From critically acclaimed podcaster and bestselling author Aaron Mahnke comes this engrossing and macabre exploration of the folklore and early medical practices that led to the New England Vampire Panic in the 1890s.
What would drive a man to exhume the body of his daughter and remove her heart? That question has haunted Aaron Mahnke, creator and host of the award-winning podcast Lore. Fueled by a decade of research, Mahnke excavates the past to understand the hysteria that fueled the ghastly exhumation of Mercy Brown in 1892, who like her mother and sister before her, succumbed to “consumption” at the age of 19.
With Exhumed, Mahnke presents a unique history of the intersection of folklore and science, and how pop culture and both genuine medical advancements and pseudoscience of the time shaped the perspectives of people in 19th century America. From the death of George Washington to Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein, Mahnke leads reads on a fascinating journey through history, touching on methods of mummification, the multifaceted role of executioners, medicine made from corpses, European folklore that traveled across the Atlantic, and so much more. He reveals that as shocking as Brown’s exhumation might seem, it also reflected surprisingly common attitudes and beliefs about the relationship between the dead and the living, the nature of science and magic, and the fate of a human soul. It all builds to a revelatory understanding of human behavior that continues to this very day.
Possessing an irreverent view of science, history, and the human condition, Exhumed is perfect for fans of Mary Roach’s Stiff, as well as readers of forgotten American histories like Brad Meltzer’s New York Times-bestselling The First The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington.
What would drive a man to exhume the body of his daughter and remove her heart? That question has haunted Aaron Mahnke, creator and host of the award-winning podcast Lore. Fueled by a decade of research, Mahnke excavates the past to understand the hysteria that fueled the ghastly exhumation of Mercy Brown in 1892, who like her mother and sister before her, succumbed to “consumption” at the age of 19.
With Exhumed, Mahnke presents a unique history of the intersection of folklore and science, and how pop culture and both genuine medical advancements and pseudoscience of the time shaped the perspectives of people in 19th century America. From the death of George Washington to Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein, Mahnke leads reads on a fascinating journey through history, touching on methods of mummification, the multifaceted role of executioners, medicine made from corpses, European folklore that traveled across the Atlantic, and so much more. He reveals that as shocking as Brown’s exhumation might seem, it also reflected surprisingly common attitudes and beliefs about the relationship between the dead and the living, the nature of science and magic, and the fate of a human soul. It all builds to a revelatory understanding of human behavior that continues to this very day.
Possessing an irreverent view of science, history, and the human condition, Exhumed is perfect for fans of Mary Roach’s Stiff, as well as readers of forgotten American histories like Brad Meltzer’s New York Times-bestselling The First The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Aaron Mahnke
27 books1,387 followersOne of the most successful podcast producers in the world, Aaron Mahnke began his career in 2015 with the launch of Lore, which went on to become a breakout hit.
Aside from racking up over 450-million downloads to date, Lore was adapted for two seasons of television on Amazon, and as a three-book set from Penguin Random House. Aaron has also toured extensively, delivering his trademark storytelling experience to thousands of people across the country.
In 2019, Aaron also published his first comic book series, Wellington, through IDW. And in 2021, he launched the first of a new slate of fiction podcasts, beginning with the breakout hit Bridgewater, starring Misha Collins, Melissa Ponzia, Karan Soni, Alan Tudyk, and Tricia Helfer.
Aside from racking up over 450-million downloads to date, Lore was adapted for two seasons of television on Amazon, and as a three-book set from Penguin Random House. Aaron has also toured extensively, delivering his trademark storytelling experience to thousands of people across the country.
In 2019, Aaron also published his first comic book series, Wellington, through IDW. And in 2021, he launched the first of a new slate of fiction podcasts, beginning with the breakout hit Bridgewater, starring Misha Collins, Melissa Ponzia, Karan Soni, Alan Tudyk, and Tricia Helfer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Yeah don't read this book if you want to know about the vampire hysteria in the US. I got over 20-ish % through this and only the introduction and prologue actually spoke about what the book is meant to be. It almost feels like they accidentally inserted another book starting at chapter 1 since the content is nothing to what the description and promotion of the book is.
While I thank Netgalley for this ARC, I'm not a happy camper.
--
My thought process while reading this book, which also acts as a summary of each chapter until I gave up:
Introduction & Prologue: okay cool. I do love me a gothic vampire story, especially one that’s historical hysteria! Let’s get into it!
[Part 1]
Chapter 1: Why are we discussing George Washington, and why a zombie? What does this have to do with our vampire? And in the end Washington wasn’t a zombie? That’s click bait (read bait?)
Chapter 2: Okay so we’re on to Benny Franklin; is he a zombie too now? But no, we’re learning about electricity. How does this affect yon vampires? But now we’re learning about an Italian man born in the 1730s, but then it’s 1790 USA, but then it’s England, but then it’s back to the Italian in 1786. Where are the vampires?? So, the Italian man is Frankenstein, but with frogs? Oh, it’s the 1800s and now we’re archeologists looking for dinosaurs. But now we’re learning about Volta, c1780s; I didn’t realize this book was about time-travel. I’m so confused.
Chapter 3: It’s 2001, and we’re archeologists again. A Scottish bog. These dad jokes that break the narrative are getting out of hand. I’m not enjoying this, the writing is annoying. Greek Gods now, cool. I love the Iliad.
A direct quote from the book, which reaffirms how not vampire-related it all is: “both Pinocchio and the Gingerbread Man are horribly murdered.” Which of course is the perfect segway into now learning about this Brothers Grimm and their life stories. Oh, but then the rest of the chapter is about anti-Semitic writings.
Chapter 4: We’ve moved from “science” to ~magic~ and Darwinism? I didn’t think I’d ever see Robert Smith from the Cure, Lord Bryon and Mary Shelley in one sentence together in my life. If the author needs to write “Okay, stay with me here” you just know how unhinged things have gotten. Mary Shelley’s biography in a few paragraphs was kinda interesting; I won’t lie there.
[Part 2]
Chapter 5: We’re starting Part 2 with Sir Isaac Newton; I think it’s safe to say the history of the modern vampire is a footnote to this novel. I think whoever did the promo for this needs a demotion. The author too probably. I’m done I can’t do this.
While I thank Netgalley for this ARC, I'm not a happy camper.
--
My thought process while reading this book, which also acts as a summary of each chapter until I gave up:
Introduction & Prologue: okay cool. I do love me a gothic vampire story, especially one that’s historical hysteria! Let’s get into it!
[Part 1]
Chapter 1: Why are we discussing George Washington, and why a zombie? What does this have to do with our vampire? And in the end Washington wasn’t a zombie? That’s click bait (read bait?)
Chapter 2: Okay so we’re on to Benny Franklin; is he a zombie too now? But no, we’re learning about electricity. How does this affect yon vampires? But now we’re learning about an Italian man born in the 1730s, but then it’s 1790 USA, but then it’s England, but then it’s back to the Italian in 1786. Where are the vampires?? So, the Italian man is Frankenstein, but with frogs? Oh, it’s the 1800s and now we’re archeologists looking for dinosaurs. But now we’re learning about Volta, c1780s; I didn’t realize this book was about time-travel. I’m so confused.
Chapter 3: It’s 2001, and we’re archeologists again. A Scottish bog. These dad jokes that break the narrative are getting out of hand. I’m not enjoying this, the writing is annoying. Greek Gods now, cool. I love the Iliad.
A direct quote from the book, which reaffirms how not vampire-related it all is: “both Pinocchio and the Gingerbread Man are horribly murdered.” Which of course is the perfect segway into now learning about this Brothers Grimm and their life stories. Oh, but then the rest of the chapter is about anti-Semitic writings.
Chapter 4: We’ve moved from “science” to ~magic~ and Darwinism? I didn’t think I’d ever see Robert Smith from the Cure, Lord Bryon and Mary Shelley in one sentence together in my life. If the author needs to write “Okay, stay with me here” you just know how unhinged things have gotten. Mary Shelley’s biography in a few paragraphs was kinda interesting; I won’t lie there.
[Part 2]
Chapter 5: We’re starting Part 2 with Sir Isaac Newton; I think it’s safe to say the history of the modern vampire is a footnote to this novel. I think whoever did the promo for this needs a demotion. The author too probably. I’m done I can’t do this.
August 25, 2026
I cannot stress enough how much my “needs a red pen” shelf factors into this rating.
I appreciate context, but man alive, tangential stories and rabbit holes cannot take up 80% of the book. By the time we finally get to poor Mercy Brown, I was ready to take a shovel to her grave myself to hurry things along. It sticks in my craw that she is relegated to not much more than a footnote in her own story.
Podcasts (with their endless drawn-out episodes and their occasionally questionable conclusions) that turn into books are usually pretty flawed and this one is no exception. It’s not the same form of storytelling, ffs.
I appreciate context, but man alive, tangential stories and rabbit holes cannot take up 80% of the book. By the time we finally get to poor Mercy Brown, I was ready to take a shovel to her grave myself to hurry things along. It sticks in my craw that she is relegated to not much more than a footnote in her own story.
Podcasts (with their endless drawn-out episodes and their occasionally questionable conclusions) that turn into books are usually pretty flawed and this one is no exception. It’s not the same form of storytelling, ffs.
August 12, 2026
I enjoyed the tangential backstories and segues of five thousand other different history/death related incidents/facts but I agree with other readers that the author shouldn’t have waited till the last chapter to mention that the book was basically only going to be about tangential information instead of the actual Mercy Brown case. I still learned a ton though (and appreciated all the puns)
July 5, 2026
La Storia come dovrebbe essere raccontata! Ricca di curiosità (spesso macabre e, quindi, ancora più attraenti XD), vivace, con spunti su spunti da approfondire. Un viaggio spumeggiante che, sebbene nei capitoli iniziali possa sembrare troppo frammentario, si rivela per quello che è: uno studio sull'eterna umana fascinazione del confine tra la vita e la morte.
Un vero piacere da leggere.
Un vero piacere da leggere.
August 20, 2026
A fabulous, slow examination of what makes death so strange and the ways people have tried to understand the infinite.
August 19, 2026
Fascinating!
August 12, 2026
I thought this was going to an in depth look into the story of Mercy Brown however this book was simple a compilation of independent stories that highlighted how histories scientific exploration ties into today’s lore. The chapters didn’t tie together, metaphors felt overused, and there were several repeating phrases and puns. Great idea and I see what the author was attempting to accomplish but the finished product felt like podcast episodes trying to disguised themselves as a book.
August 6, 2026
What a fun read. An educational, informative, and fun traipse through time exploring people, places, and events that are all seemingly unrelated but ultimately Aaron finds a way to connect the dots to give us a much bigger lens into the story of Mercy Brown. Is the whole book about her, the American vampire, and her story? No, but everything discussed in this book lends to give additional context into her story and the greater understanding of how people in the 19th century behaved and believed. There’s lots of interesting facts and tidbits of information to learn but Aaron does a fantastic job expanding our worldview to see how beliefs and practices from centuries ago all play a part in understanding Mercy Brown.
August 17, 2026
The Kirkus Review review conclusion sums up this book so well I have to include in my review: “Come for the morbid tidbits; stay for the sharply honed insights into both history and the human psyche.”
I listened to this book read by the author and thoroughly enjoyed it. It starts with the death of Mercy Brown in 1892, her being exhumed and her heart and liver being incinerated. The reason for this is then delightfully explained through a history of the world’s understanding of the vagaries of the human body from ancient times to Mercy’s death. It’s simply a captivating exploration. The gambit runs from folklore, pseudoscience, to scientific beliefs of the day,
Mercy Brown died of consumption or tuberculosis as we know it today. Her whole family was riddled with the disease. Because of the bleeding associated with consumption, there was always a hit of something bizarre - like vampires. In fact, her exhumation lead to the New England Vampire Panic. To explain this phenomenon the author takes us on a journey exposing common beliefs through time such as mummification, the “multifaceted role of executioners,” medicine made from corpses, drinking blood from executed criminals - all truly weird but true event and fascinating. All these are examples of the common attitudes at various times about the relationship between “the dead and the living, medicine and magic, and the fate of the human soul.” The author is clear: these ideas were the best people could do with the limited information they had (though I ironically note in considering our resident quack HHS Secretary if he were to read this book we might be facing corpse approved medicines -LOL).
Mercy Brown’s exhumation was only five years before Bram Stoker gave us Dracula and her exhumation was part of Stoker’s inspiration. As this book reveals her exhumation though was not the cause of one thread but a multiplicity of threads that brought it about. The author weaves these so facilely that by the end of the book you’ve grown to appreciate that history’s interconnections show us how important each of us is - hence why eliminating parts of history you don’t like means you may be eliminating yourself.
I gave this audiobook five stars for its captivating topic, its extensive research and for a rousing good listen. Highly recommend.
PS: I now need to move Killing the Dead: Vampire Epidemics from Mesopotamia to the New World.
I listened to this book read by the author and thoroughly enjoyed it. It starts with the death of Mercy Brown in 1892, her being exhumed and her heart and liver being incinerated. The reason for this is then delightfully explained through a history of the world’s understanding of the vagaries of the human body from ancient times to Mercy’s death. It’s simply a captivating exploration. The gambit runs from folklore, pseudoscience, to scientific beliefs of the day,
Mercy Brown died of consumption or tuberculosis as we know it today. Her whole family was riddled with the disease. Because of the bleeding associated with consumption, there was always a hit of something bizarre - like vampires. In fact, her exhumation lead to the New England Vampire Panic. To explain this phenomenon the author takes us on a journey exposing common beliefs through time such as mummification, the “multifaceted role of executioners,” medicine made from corpses, drinking blood from executed criminals - all truly weird but true event and fascinating. All these are examples of the common attitudes at various times about the relationship between “the dead and the living, medicine and magic, and the fate of the human soul.” The author is clear: these ideas were the best people could do with the limited information they had (though I ironically note in considering our resident quack HHS Secretary if he were to read this book we might be facing corpse approved medicines -LOL).
Mercy Brown’s exhumation was only five years before Bram Stoker gave us Dracula and her exhumation was part of Stoker’s inspiration. As this book reveals her exhumation though was not the cause of one thread but a multiplicity of threads that brought it about. The author weaves these so facilely that by the end of the book you’ve grown to appreciate that history’s interconnections show us how important each of us is - hence why eliminating parts of history you don’t like means you may be eliminating yourself.
I gave this audiobook five stars for its captivating topic, its extensive research and for a rousing good listen. Highly recommend.
PS: I now need to move Killing the Dead: Vampire Epidemics from Mesopotamia to the New World.
August 18, 2026
SYNOPSIS
Aaron Mahnke presents a unique history of the intersection of folklore and science, and how pop culture and both genuine medical advancements and pseudoscience of the time shaped the perspectives of people in 19th century America. From the death of George Washington to Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein, Mahnke leads reads on a fascinating journey through history, touching on methods of mummification, the multifaceted role of executioners, medicine made from corpses, European folklore that traveled across the Atlantic, and so much more. He reveals that as shocking as Brown’s exhumation might seem, it also reflected surprisingly common attitudes and beliefs about the relationship between the dead and the living, the nature of science and magic, and the fate of a human soul. It all builds to a revelatory understanding of human behavior that continues to this very day.
I was attracted to the book regarding the Mercy Brown tagline, however this book was much more than what I expected. I have enjoyed Mahnke’s books, podcasts and shows for years and this one was his most straightforward foray into non-fiction. He takes us through the folklore, but does a deep dive into how it affected the science and culture at that time. Those comparisons really drew me in and gave me insight into the past, the strange methods and practices that happened at that time, and how they found their way into everyday life. A really good “did you know” kind of read.
Aaron Mahnke presents a unique history of the intersection of folklore and science, and how pop culture and both genuine medical advancements and pseudoscience of the time shaped the perspectives of people in 19th century America. From the death of George Washington to Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein, Mahnke leads reads on a fascinating journey through history, touching on methods of mummification, the multifaceted role of executioners, medicine made from corpses, European folklore that traveled across the Atlantic, and so much more. He reveals that as shocking as Brown’s exhumation might seem, it also reflected surprisingly common attitudes and beliefs about the relationship between the dead and the living, the nature of science and magic, and the fate of a human soul. It all builds to a revelatory understanding of human behavior that continues to this very day.
I was attracted to the book regarding the Mercy Brown tagline, however this book was much more than what I expected. I have enjoyed Mahnke’s books, podcasts and shows for years and this one was his most straightforward foray into non-fiction. He takes us through the folklore, but does a deep dive into how it affected the science and culture at that time. Those comparisons really drew me in and gave me insight into the past, the strange methods and practices that happened at that time, and how they found their way into everyday life. A really good “did you know” kind of read.
September 4, 2026
If you like Mahnke’s podcast Lore and also the history of medicine you will enjoy this book. While the main focus is Mercy Brown and the vampire story surrounding her, this book spends most of the time looking through concepts like corpse medicine, the humors, the origins of Frankenstein and more to give us a knowledge of medical history and folklore remedies. If you were reading fully for Brown and the vampire hysteria in the North East I can see this being a frustrating read as only the last chunk really talks about it. Listening to it on audio, made the bouncing through topics more palatable for me at least. If you want to learn about interesting and gruesome at times, stories about medicine and folklore combining then I would recommend. If you want more focus on the Mercy Brown story, it might not be worth the read.
August 22, 2026
If you listen to the Lore podcast then you are familiar with Aaron Mahnke and the story of Mercy Brown.
I listened to this on audiobook since I love Aaron’s storytelling and energy with his podcasts. The book starts with cases in history overtime and ends on the case of Mercy Brown. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the book was set up since most people start with a case and then work backwards to uncover and explain how they got there.
I’ve been intrigued by the case of Mercy Brown and this book came out right before I was heading to Rhode Island for a work trip. When I looked it up, my hotel was only 15 mins away from her gravesite but unfortunately it didn’t work out that I was able to visit her. May Mercy rest in peace 🪦
I listened to this on audiobook since I love Aaron’s storytelling and energy with his podcasts. The book starts with cases in history overtime and ends on the case of Mercy Brown. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the book was set up since most people start with a case and then work backwards to uncover and explain how they got there.
I’ve been intrigued by the case of Mercy Brown and this book came out right before I was heading to Rhode Island for a work trip. When I looked it up, my hotel was only 15 mins away from her gravesite but unfortunately it didn’t work out that I was able to visit her. May Mercy rest in peace 🪦
August 24, 2026
I thought this book was going to primarily focus on the story of Mercy Brown and the Great New England Vampire Panic. Sadly, we didn’t get to the topic of Brown until 75% of the way through the book. This book is not an in depth analysis of Brown or of the Great New England Vampire Panic, but a lot of surface level independent stories that bounce all over the place.
I think Mahnke is a great podcast host, but his books haven’t really hit for me. You can tell the stories are thoroughly researched, which I appreciate, but he just doesn’t dive deep enough for me.
I think Mahnke is a great podcast host, but his books haven’t really hit for me. You can tell the stories are thoroughly researched, which I appreciate, but he just doesn’t dive deep enough for me.
August 19, 2026
A true Mahnke, well researched, interesting, but narrated by Mahnke and that's the only downside to this audiobook. He has a cadence that I can't speed up enough, but he's such a talented writer that I will always read anything he writes.
Read
July 8, 2026Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire is a fascinating blend of history, folklore, medical science, and cultural anthropology that explores one of America's strangest historical episodes with intelligence, curiosity, and remarkable storytelling. Aaron Mahnke once again demonstrates why he has become one of the most respected voices in narrative history and the supernatural.
Rather than treating the New England Vampire Panic as a collection of bizarre anecdotes, Mahnke carefully reconstructs the social, medical, and psychological landscape that allowed such beliefs to flourish. By examining the tragic story of Mercy Brown alongside the broader history of tuberculosis, early medicine, European folklore, and nineteenth-century anxieties surrounding death, he transforms what could have been a niche curiosity into a compelling study of human behavior.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its refusal to sensationalize its subject. Instead, Mahnke approaches these historical events with empathy and intellectual honesty, helping readers understand why ordinary people facing devastating loss sought explanations that today may seem unimaginable. In doing so, he reminds us that fear, grief, and uncertainty have always shaped the stories societies tell themselves.
I especially appreciated the way the narrative moves effortlessly between historical investigation and cultural commentary. Discussions of medical misconceptions, corpse medicine, religious belief, Gothic literature, and the emergence of scientific thinking all combine to create a richly layered portrait of an era caught between superstition and modernity.
Mahnke's writing remains engaging throughout, balancing meticulous research with the pacing of an excellent mystery. His gift for storytelling ensures that every historical thread contributes to a larger understanding of how folklore evolves and why myths continue to influence contemporary culture.
Ultimately, Exhumed is about far more than vampires. It is an insightful exploration of humanity's enduring search for meaning in the face of disease, death, and the unknown. Readers interested in history, folklore, medicine, or the origins of popular horror will find this an absorbing and thought-provoking read.
Rather than treating the New England Vampire Panic as a collection of bizarre anecdotes, Mahnke carefully reconstructs the social, medical, and psychological landscape that allowed such beliefs to flourish. By examining the tragic story of Mercy Brown alongside the broader history of tuberculosis, early medicine, European folklore, and nineteenth-century anxieties surrounding death, he transforms what could have been a niche curiosity into a compelling study of human behavior.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its refusal to sensationalize its subject. Instead, Mahnke approaches these historical events with empathy and intellectual honesty, helping readers understand why ordinary people facing devastating loss sought explanations that today may seem unimaginable. In doing so, he reminds us that fear, grief, and uncertainty have always shaped the stories societies tell themselves.
I especially appreciated the way the narrative moves effortlessly between historical investigation and cultural commentary. Discussions of medical misconceptions, corpse medicine, religious belief, Gothic literature, and the emergence of scientific thinking all combine to create a richly layered portrait of an era caught between superstition and modernity.
Mahnke's writing remains engaging throughout, balancing meticulous research with the pacing of an excellent mystery. His gift for storytelling ensures that every historical thread contributes to a larger understanding of how folklore evolves and why myths continue to influence contemporary culture.
Ultimately, Exhumed is about far more than vampires. It is an insightful exploration of humanity's enduring search for meaning in the face of disease, death, and the unknown. Readers interested in history, folklore, medicine, or the origins of popular horror will find this an absorbing and thought-provoking read.
August 30, 2026
Like the Satanic Panic of the 1980’s, New England witnessed almost 100 years before a “Vampire Panic”. In the year 1892, 19-year-old Mercy Brown died. Shortly after her death, her brother began to get ill and slowly waste away. The town immediately thought that Mercy was reaching beyond the grave to slowly drain away his life. Since she died during winter it was nigh impossible to dig up the earth to inter her, so she interred about ground in a crypt. During family illness and the fear of vampires the father had his daughter’s body dug up. She was remarkably well preserved, in fact too well preserved. So, the towns’ people elected to burn their heart and liver to ashes.
This was a case of folklore outweighing science. Even the doctors who examined the corpse said that everything was normal. Still the will of the town persisted. How on Earth could superstition outweigh science? The year was 1892, not that long ago.
Many beliefs about vampires were brought over from the New World. Poignant is the belief about blood. Back in old times when someone was sick, they would practice something called “bloodletting” or have leeches such out the infected blood. This was believed to cause the infection to be drained out. Another thing coming in vogue was transfusions. Back then in George Washington’s time it was something new and just beginning. The belief was that if you injected animal blood into a human it would help revitalize the individual. George Washington’s doctor wanted to try it. They did not end up doing it. In some instances, it appeared to work but later experiments did not yield the desired results.
There were also beliefs about the role of electricity being able to revive a corpse. In 1800 Luigi Galvani, applied Alessandro Volta’s battery to a frog and noticed its muscles twitch. In 1803 Giovanni Aldini applied electricity to executed criminal George Foster in London. The electric current from the battery made the dead criminal’s muscle and jaws twitch. This would be the inspiration behind Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
The body parts of the dead, especially those who died young and violently, were sought after for medical cures. Rubbing a dead person’s hand on a wart or other sickness would cause the illness to deteriorate along with the hand. A dead man’s fat could be rubbed on an ailing part of the body as a supposed cure. Epileptics would drink a dead man’s blood in hopes of remedy.
Revenant in which vampires are a species there are corpses that refuse to totally die and often return to plague surviving family members. They would often bring disease and plague in their wake.
Excellent book that filled with well researched information. The book is easy to ready and very enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ok, so here's the deal... this book should totally be for someone like me. It (so I thought) meets at the intersection of thanatology/death studies, history, culture, medical humanities, and American folk stories. I've read books that are similar conceptually in the past, and they really stuck with me.
Unfortunately, that just wasn't the case for me with this book.
I'm not necessarily a "vampire person", but I can appreciate a good story when it is grounded in history and the evolution of how we see medicine, illness, and (un)death. One of my biggest issues with this book is that I felt that it took FOREVER to get anywhere. Yes, I understand that the author mentioned this at the beginning, saying that "context" would be very important, but it's not until 200+ pages in when it says "and now for the vampire stuff." Then it took something like another 20 pages to get to the actual vampire stuff? Anyway, not for me. The "context" went so far that it made the actual topic of the book seem like an afterthought. There were times I was reading and I would go back to look at the title to remind me what this was actually about...or at least what it was promising to get to eventually.
I really hate writing bad reviews. I don't like giving books anything less than 3 stars. That being said, this book was legitimately hard for me to finish. It took me about 2 weeks to read, which is unheard of for a book of this size. It's not that it was dense or particularly complex, because it wasn't...but it was just so all over the place. I guess I also just didn't care for the writing style.
I don't know Aaron Mahnke, or any of his podcasts, but there were times that I felt this would've been better as a podcast. There were times when the author tried to throw in anecdotes and asides that I felt would've worked better in that format.
If you are a fan of his stuff already, you'll love this book. This book is for you, not for me. I can say that based on the sources and endnotes at the end, this book was incredibly well-researched. Maybe too well-researched? For a book that was about 90% "context," it could've used more focus.
Despite all of my issues with this book, I will round it up to a 2-star rating. There were some interesting factoids and anecdotes, and the reference section alone has a lot of good material. Once again, this wasn't for me, but that doesn't mean it won't be for you. Maybe if there's an audiobook version it will seem less meandering.
Thank you to NetGalley, Aaron Mahnke, and Running Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Unfortunately, that just wasn't the case for me with this book.
I'm not necessarily a "vampire person", but I can appreciate a good story when it is grounded in history and the evolution of how we see medicine, illness, and (un)death. One of my biggest issues with this book is that I felt that it took FOREVER to get anywhere. Yes, I understand that the author mentioned this at the beginning, saying that "context" would be very important, but it's not until 200+ pages in when it says "and now for the vampire stuff." Then it took something like another 20 pages to get to the actual vampire stuff? Anyway, not for me. The "context" went so far that it made the actual topic of the book seem like an afterthought. There were times I was reading and I would go back to look at the title to remind me what this was actually about...or at least what it was promising to get to eventually.
I really hate writing bad reviews. I don't like giving books anything less than 3 stars. That being said, this book was legitimately hard for me to finish. It took me about 2 weeks to read, which is unheard of for a book of this size. It's not that it was dense or particularly complex, because it wasn't...but it was just so all over the place. I guess I also just didn't care for the writing style.
I don't know Aaron Mahnke, or any of his podcasts, but there were times that I felt this would've been better as a podcast. There were times when the author tried to throw in anecdotes and asides that I felt would've worked better in that format.
If you are a fan of his stuff already, you'll love this book. This book is for you, not for me. I can say that based on the sources and endnotes at the end, this book was incredibly well-researched. Maybe too well-researched? For a book that was about 90% "context," it could've used more focus.
Despite all of my issues with this book, I will round it up to a 2-star rating. There were some interesting factoids and anecdotes, and the reference section alone has a lot of good material. Once again, this wasn't for me, but that doesn't mean it won't be for you. Maybe if there's an audiobook version it will seem less meandering.
Thank you to NetGalley, Aaron Mahnke, and Running Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have listened to Aaron Mahnke's Lore podcast almost from the beginning, and it is one of the few podcasts that I have consistently kept up with even as my interest in the medium has ebbed and flowed over the years.
The way he draws in elements of history, crime, folklore, and the paranormal across eras and cultures to fit a theme and tell a story is unparalleled, and so naturally when I had the chance to read an ARC of his newest book Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire, I was excited. Many thanks to the author, Running Press, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mahnke's voice and writing style are so distinctive that there were times while reading this book that I felt as though I could hear it in my head, as though it was one of his podcast episodes. As a fan, that worked for me, but there are places where his tone might feel overly casual or even jovial to someone not expecting it.
My main criticism of this book is that the subtitle is inapt. I don't feel that Exhumed is really about "unearthing the history of the American vampire". Mahnke starts the book by explaining that he intends to add "context" to the story of Mercy Brown, an alleged vampire in 19th-century Rhode Island.
This context, ranging from corpse medicine to Gothic literature to premature burial prevention to historical superstition, comprises the vast majority of the book. So if you're really looking for a deep dive on American vampires, or on Mercy Brown and the New England vampire panic specifically, you won't exactly find it here.
On the other hand, if you can (and you should) set the subtitle aside and take the journey through this context -- historical, folkloric, scientific, literary, etc. -- you certainly won't be disappointed at the stories that Mahnke reveals. The research is thorough but the writing is never dry, and there's something for everyone no matter where your interest in vampires and the belief in them stems from.
At times, you may wonder how everything is connected, but it never drags, and Mahnke weaves each thread together to create a fascinating look at the myth and history surrounding the belief in the undead.
The way he draws in elements of history, crime, folklore, and the paranormal across eras and cultures to fit a theme and tell a story is unparalleled, and so naturally when I had the chance to read an ARC of his newest book Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire, I was excited. Many thanks to the author, Running Press, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mahnke's voice and writing style are so distinctive that there were times while reading this book that I felt as though I could hear it in my head, as though it was one of his podcast episodes. As a fan, that worked for me, but there are places where his tone might feel overly casual or even jovial to someone not expecting it.
My main criticism of this book is that the subtitle is inapt. I don't feel that Exhumed is really about "unearthing the history of the American vampire". Mahnke starts the book by explaining that he intends to add "context" to the story of Mercy Brown, an alleged vampire in 19th-century Rhode Island.
This context, ranging from corpse medicine to Gothic literature to premature burial prevention to historical superstition, comprises the vast majority of the book. So if you're really looking for a deep dive on American vampires, or on Mercy Brown and the New England vampire panic specifically, you won't exactly find it here.
On the other hand, if you can (and you should) set the subtitle aside and take the journey through this context -- historical, folkloric, scientific, literary, etc. -- you certainly won't be disappointed at the stories that Mahnke reveals. The research is thorough but the writing is never dry, and there's something for everyone no matter where your interest in vampires and the belief in them stems from.
At times, you may wonder how everything is connected, but it never drags, and Mahnke weaves each thread together to create a fascinating look at the myth and history surrounding the belief in the undead.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)
I already knew a little of Mercy Brown, the “vampire” of Exeter, Rhode Island - or at least, I thought that I did. However, Exhumed has successfully opened my eyes not just on her (in)famous tale, but a wide array of related topics in the surrounding orbit, including revenant lore, blood and its relation to ideas of the soul, reanimation, and that’s just only a sampling of what was explored.
Here, Aareo Mahnke employs a format of going all in on providing as much context as is possible, and only then does he fully address the incident that took place in a New England graveyard in January 1892. It’s a setup that I’ve never encountered before, but ended up enjoying it very, very much with all that I was able to learn. Mahnke does an expert job of making sure he doesn’t overwhelm, and successfully avoid going an overly dry, academic route. Also, despite the morbid nature of much of what was discussed, he still manages to keep the reading experience mostly gripping in its deeply informative way, and even a bit light at times too. His narrative is thickly and unapologetically infused with his own personality and wit, and although he’s not above tossing around jokes, these are largely self-deprecating in nature. He never pokes fun or shames his past subjects - instead he fosters an open-minded attitude and tries his best to make the reader see that what might appear ignorant or barbaric to us in the present day was part of our ancestor’s best and sincere efforts to make sense of the world around them.
Overall, this was a deeply, deeply fascinating read that grabbed my attention from the get-go, and successfully prevented me from putting it down for any sizable period of time. In fact, I started this on a Saturday afternoon, and finished it Sunday morning the next day. I hope that Mahnke decides to pursue this format of meticulously exploring all related context for other subjects in future publications. In the meantime, I declare this to be one of the most memorable nonfiction reads of the year for me so far.
I already knew a little of Mercy Brown, the “vampire” of Exeter, Rhode Island - or at least, I thought that I did. However, Exhumed has successfully opened my eyes not just on her (in)famous tale, but a wide array of related topics in the surrounding orbit, including revenant lore, blood and its relation to ideas of the soul, reanimation, and that’s just only a sampling of what was explored.
Here, Aareo Mahnke employs a format of going all in on providing as much context as is possible, and only then does he fully address the incident that took place in a New England graveyard in January 1892. It’s a setup that I’ve never encountered before, but ended up enjoying it very, very much with all that I was able to learn. Mahnke does an expert job of making sure he doesn’t overwhelm, and successfully avoid going an overly dry, academic route. Also, despite the morbid nature of much of what was discussed, he still manages to keep the reading experience mostly gripping in its deeply informative way, and even a bit light at times too. His narrative is thickly and unapologetically infused with his own personality and wit, and although he’s not above tossing around jokes, these are largely self-deprecating in nature. He never pokes fun or shames his past subjects - instead he fosters an open-minded attitude and tries his best to make the reader see that what might appear ignorant or barbaric to us in the present day was part of our ancestor’s best and sincere efforts to make sense of the world around them.
Overall, this was a deeply, deeply fascinating read that grabbed my attention from the get-go, and successfully prevented me from putting it down for any sizable period of time. In fact, I started this on a Saturday afternoon, and finished it Sunday morning the next day. I hope that Mahnke decides to pursue this format of meticulously exploring all related context for other subjects in future publications. In the meantime, I declare this to be one of the most memorable nonfiction reads of the year for me so far.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is undoubtedly one of the best nonfiction books I've ever read.
I've been a fan of Aaron Mahnke (and Lore) since the beginning, so it's reasonable to expect a certain amount of bias in my feelings toward this book. But I'm also a folklorist, and I can be incredibly critical about research in particular, but also citations and how the information is laid out and presented in nonfiction. When I say that this book is as close to perfect as one could possibly get, I say that having read the book as a folklorist, not just as a fan. At no point did I feel like I was reading a 300+ page book. Everything is laid out so intuitively and cohesively, and I didn't want to put it down.
Part of that is certainly Mahnke's writing style. Anyone who's heard his podcasts or his narration on the Lore television series knows his cadence, and he writes just like he speaks, making for a deeply engaging, conversational, and approachable narrative. I can't remember the last time I've laughed this much or had this much fun reading a nonfiction book (if ever). Part of that is also how he chooses to lay out the information in the book. Individual aspects of the main story are laid out, one piece at a time, steadily building on the section before it and flowing seamlessly into the section that follows until all the pieces are laid out and the full story can be understood, almost at a glance. There's no need to guess or assume or try to tie the pieces together yourself, either, because Mahnke pauses at exactly the right moment to stitch those threads together for you. Lastly, the humor in this book is really just the cherry on top. I love a good pun. I love some silly wordplay. I got plenty of both from this book, and it made the reading experience so much fun.
Despite the title, this isn't just a book for fans of vampire folklore or people who are interested in the strange moments of American history. The folklore stretches far both globally and historically, and includes a fair bit of cultural, religious, literary, linguistic, and medical history as well. It's kind of amazing how easily all those pieces come together, too.
I've been a fan of Aaron Mahnke (and Lore) since the beginning, so it's reasonable to expect a certain amount of bias in my feelings toward this book. But I'm also a folklorist, and I can be incredibly critical about research in particular, but also citations and how the information is laid out and presented in nonfiction. When I say that this book is as close to perfect as one could possibly get, I say that having read the book as a folklorist, not just as a fan. At no point did I feel like I was reading a 300+ page book. Everything is laid out so intuitively and cohesively, and I didn't want to put it down.
Part of that is certainly Mahnke's writing style. Anyone who's heard his podcasts or his narration on the Lore television series knows his cadence, and he writes just like he speaks, making for a deeply engaging, conversational, and approachable narrative. I can't remember the last time I've laughed this much or had this much fun reading a nonfiction book (if ever). Part of that is also how he chooses to lay out the information in the book. Individual aspects of the main story are laid out, one piece at a time, steadily building on the section before it and flowing seamlessly into the section that follows until all the pieces are laid out and the full story can be understood, almost at a glance. There's no need to guess or assume or try to tie the pieces together yourself, either, because Mahnke pauses at exactly the right moment to stitch those threads together for you. Lastly, the humor in this book is really just the cherry on top. I love a good pun. I love some silly wordplay. I got plenty of both from this book, and it made the reading experience so much fun.
Despite the title, this isn't just a book for fans of vampire folklore or people who are interested in the strange moments of American history. The folklore stretches far both globally and historically, and includes a fair bit of cultural, religious, literary, linguistic, and medical history as well. It's kind of amazing how easily all those pieces come together, too.
June 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I have been a fan of ‘Lore’ since it first aired on the podcast airwaves in 2017. Many a night was spent on the treadmill listening to episode after episode of the show, and I have a special place in my heart for it. I bring this up because Mahnke has a very specific format for that show, and that is getting a bunch of seemingly unrelated threads, then slowly weaving them in to come together for the crux of the episode.
This book follows a very similar process. For a good 3/4 of the book, you wonder how all these things are connected, and then they are beautifully drawn together to pull a picture of American folklore and vampirism. It’s worth remembering the subtitle of this specifies that it is about the ‘history’ of American vampires, not about them just in isolation.
I love learning about folklore and all the things that influence it, and I definitely learnt a lot from this book as a whole. We are taken on a journey through resurrection and religion, Eastern European folklore, and so much more. It never feels like a chore reading a book like this- you just have to trust the process.
When we finally get to the American vampire components, everything is pulled together really well. I did wish there was a little more about the further history and implications of the Mercy Brown story, but I feel that the journey was well worth the payoff.
I have been a fan of ‘Lore’ since it first aired on the podcast airwaves in 2017. Many a night was spent on the treadmill listening to episode after episode of the show, and I have a special place in my heart for it. I bring this up because Mahnke has a very specific format for that show, and that is getting a bunch of seemingly unrelated threads, then slowly weaving them in to come together for the crux of the episode.
This book follows a very similar process. For a good 3/4 of the book, you wonder how all these things are connected, and then they are beautifully drawn together to pull a picture of American folklore and vampirism. It’s worth remembering the subtitle of this specifies that it is about the ‘history’ of American vampires, not about them just in isolation.
I love learning about folklore and all the things that influence it, and I definitely learnt a lot from this book as a whole. We are taken on a journey through resurrection and religion, Eastern European folklore, and so much more. It never feels like a chore reading a book like this- you just have to trust the process.
When we finally get to the American vampire components, everything is pulled together really well. I did wish there was a little more about the further history and implications of the Mercy Brown story, but I feel that the journey was well worth the payoff.
August 11, 2026
Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire by Aaron Mahnke explores the strange and often disturbing ways people throughout history have tried to understand death, disease, and the possibility of the dead returning to life. At the center of the book is the 1892 case of Mercy Brown, a young woman from Rhode Island who died from tuberculosis. When several members of her family also became ill, local people suspected that one of the dead was returning as a vampire and draining the life from the living. Her body was exhumed, and her heart was removed and burned in an attempt to stop the deaths. Mahnke uses this shocking event as a starting point to investigate the beliefs and fears that made such actions seem reasonable at the time. He travels through centuries of history, examining European vampire folklore, mummification, premature burial, corpse medicine, execution practices, and early medical theories. He also explores how scientific discoveries, pseudoscience, religion, and popular culture shaped people's understanding of the human body and mortality. Rather than simply telling a collection of gruesome vampire stories, Mahnke shows how fear and limited knowledge can lead ordinary people to extraordinary conclusions. With dark humor and fascinating historical details, Exhumed becomes a broader story about humanity's long struggle to understand death and our enduring hope that perhaps it can somehow be defeated.
August 8, 2026
In the introduction, Mahnke states that Mercy Brown is the reason the reader has picked up this book but, in my case, he's incorrect. I requested it from NetGalley because of the title and description. My interest in the history of anatomy and medicine, and mild interest in vampires, is what drew me to the book. I wasn't aware of Mercy Brown until I read this book.
This book is written with a lot of brief tangential explanations to make sure the reader has a minimal comprehensive understanding of what's playing out. It is very well researched and also full of puns, intended or not.
Instead of starting with the main event and then explaining it, I really enjoyed how the book started with all of the factors that lead up to the main event.
I liked the final chapter's description of lessons learned.
"We have always done weird things for very good reasons."
I would recommend this book to fans of deep-dive microhistories or monster fans. I really enjoyed reading this book because it truly explains the reality behind vampire mythology.
This is the second eARC I have read so close to the archive date and it has motivated me to pay better attention to it from now on.
Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press for allowing me to read the eARC.
This book is written with a lot of brief tangential explanations to make sure the reader has a minimal comprehensive understanding of what's playing out. It is very well researched and also full of puns, intended or not.
Instead of starting with the main event and then explaining it, I really enjoyed how the book started with all of the factors that lead up to the main event.
I liked the final chapter's description of lessons learned.
"We have always done weird things for very good reasons."
I would recommend this book to fans of deep-dive microhistories or monster fans. I really enjoyed reading this book because it truly explains the reality behind vampire mythology.
This is the second eARC I have read so close to the archive date and it has motivated me to pay better attention to it from now on.
Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press for allowing me to read the eARC.
August 10, 2026
I thought Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire was terrific. If you enjoy Aaron Mahnke and Lore, this feels almost like one giant, deeply researched episode of the podcast.
Much of the book is spent giving context around the history, beliefs, fears, and circumstances that eventually lead us to the story of Mercy Brown. While I was reading, there were times when I wasn't entirely sure why I needed quite so much background. By the end, though, it all came together beautifully. Once Mahnke ties everything together and finally gives us the full story of Mercy Brown, you come away feeling like you've taken a crash course in the history of vampires in America.
That structure ended up being one of my favorite things about the book. Instead of simply telling a creepy historical story, Mahnke gives you enough context to understand why people believed what they believed and how something that sounds bizarre to us today could make sense within its own time and place.
It's extremely digestible, consistently interesting, and never feels like dry history. An absolutely terrific way to cover a subject and a great nonfiction choice if you're looking for something spooky.
Much of the book is spent giving context around the history, beliefs, fears, and circumstances that eventually lead us to the story of Mercy Brown. While I was reading, there were times when I wasn't entirely sure why I needed quite so much background. By the end, though, it all came together beautifully. Once Mahnke ties everything together and finally gives us the full story of Mercy Brown, you come away feeling like you've taken a crash course in the history of vampires in America.
That structure ended up being one of my favorite things about the book. Instead of simply telling a creepy historical story, Mahnke gives you enough context to understand why people believed what they believed and how something that sounds bizarre to us today could make sense within its own time and place.
It's extremely digestible, consistently interesting, and never feels like dry history. An absolutely terrific way to cover a subject and a great nonfiction choice if you're looking for something spooky.
July 15, 2026
I won a copy of Exhumed through a Goodreads Giveaway, and while it wasn’t the book I expected, it turned out to be a fascinating journey through history.
Going in, I anticipated a more linear exploration of Mercy Brown and the American vampire. Instead, Aaron Mahnke takes readers through centuries of history, medicine, folklore, superstition, and humanity’s evolving understanding of death before weaving everything back to Mercy Brown’s story. Although I appreciated how the threads came together by the end, the nonlinear format never quite matched my preferred reading style.
That said, Mahnke’s research is exceptional. I found myself repeatedly stopping to learn more about topics like George Washington’s final illness, Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomical studies, Mary Shelley’s inspiration for Frankenstein, corpse medicine, revenants, and fascinating burial customs from different cultures. One of the biggest compliments I can give this book is that it continually sent me down historical rabbit holes.
If you enjoy history, folklore, and don’t mind taking the scenic route, I think you’ll find Exhumed to be an educational and thought-provoking read.
Going in, I anticipated a more linear exploration of Mercy Brown and the American vampire. Instead, Aaron Mahnke takes readers through centuries of history, medicine, folklore, superstition, and humanity’s evolving understanding of death before weaving everything back to Mercy Brown’s story. Although I appreciated how the threads came together by the end, the nonlinear format never quite matched my preferred reading style.
That said, Mahnke’s research is exceptional. I found myself repeatedly stopping to learn more about topics like George Washington’s final illness, Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomical studies, Mary Shelley’s inspiration for Frankenstein, corpse medicine, revenants, and fascinating burial customs from different cultures. One of the biggest compliments I can give this book is that it continually sent me down historical rabbit holes.
If you enjoy history, folklore, and don’t mind taking the scenic route, I think you’ll find Exhumed to be an educational and thought-provoking read.
August 19, 2026
I’ve been listening to Aaron Mahnke’s Lore since the podcast first started, so I went into Exhumed already very familiar with his style and with a pretty high expectation for strange, unsettling pieces of history.
There’s plenty here that I enjoyed. Mahnke has an obvious talent for finding the darker, stranger corners of history, and the stories involving death, burial, superstition, medicine, and the things people have done with the dead are exactly the kind of material that originally drew me to Lore.
The problem is that, for me, Exhumed never quite captures the magic of those early Lore episodes. Some of the stories are genuinely fascinating, but others felt more like interesting historical curiosities than the deeply eerie tales I was hoping for. I also found myself occasionally missing the atmosphere and pacing that Mahnke’s podcast format does so well.
Still, if you’re already a fan of Lore, there’s plenty here to enjoy, particularly if you have a fascination with the macabre and the strange. It just didn’t quite hit the same level for me.
There’s plenty here that I enjoyed. Mahnke has an obvious talent for finding the darker, stranger corners of history, and the stories involving death, burial, superstition, medicine, and the things people have done with the dead are exactly the kind of material that originally drew me to Lore.
The problem is that, for me, Exhumed never quite captures the magic of those early Lore episodes. Some of the stories are genuinely fascinating, but others felt more like interesting historical curiosities than the deeply eerie tales I was hoping for. I also found myself occasionally missing the atmosphere and pacing that Mahnke’s podcast format does so well.
Still, if you’re already a fan of Lore, there’s plenty here to enjoy, particularly if you have a fascination with the macabre and the strange. It just didn’t quite hit the same level for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am a huge fan of Lore and Aaron Mahnke. He is a storyteller through and through. At some points in this book I was so engrossed in his storytelling I felt like I could actually hear his voice reading it to me.
In the preface Mahnke explains the importance of context and how he will eventually get to the story of the American Vampire, Mercy Brown, but needs to share important context leading up to that. The breadth of context provided is huge. Spanning folklore to early medical advancements, and societal pressures.
If you want a story that is exclusively about Mercy Brown and the Vampire panic, this is not the book for you. It is a long road to get there. This is the reason Exhumed is not a five star book, for me. I wanted less context and more of the titular story.
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for an eARC of Exhumed.
Mahnke is an incredible storyteller and knows how to weave his way through a tale in creative and unique ways.
In the preface Mahnke explains the importance of context and how he will eventually get to the story of the American Vampire, Mercy Brown, but needs to share important context leading up to that. The breadth of context provided is huge. Spanning folklore to early medical advancements, and societal pressures.
If you want a story that is exclusively about Mercy Brown and the Vampire panic, this is not the book for you. It is a long road to get there. This is the reason Exhumed is not a five star book, for me. I wanted less context and more of the titular story.
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for an eARC of Exhumed.
Mahnke is an incredible storyteller and knows how to weave his way through a tale in creative and unique ways.
September 3, 2026
I am an Aaron Mahnke & Lore fan through & through. It would be a disservice to them both if I didn’t rate this 5 stars.
I love Aaron’s voice. Amazing! Also, his way of story-telling is phenomenal. He can grab your attention with not only the context but a change in pitch or tone of his voice.
This story did feel like a never ending Lore podcast, but I’m not complaining. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Aaron, and also read along with the physical copy. This is quickly becoming my new favorite way to read a book, although it does take a little while longer at 1.2 speed 👵🏼😅
I am so proud of Aaron & what all he has accomplished since I was first introduced to Lore. I hope he continues to bless us with his storytelling & creativity!
As far as Exhumed, I am so glad humans have evolved over time,😳 but am saddened by what all had to be tested, experimented, & believed in order to get to where we are today. I doubt I could have survived those times.
I love Aaron’s voice. Amazing! Also, his way of story-telling is phenomenal. He can grab your attention with not only the context but a change in pitch or tone of his voice.
This story did feel like a never ending Lore podcast, but I’m not complaining. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Aaron, and also read along with the physical copy. This is quickly becoming my new favorite way to read a book, although it does take a little while longer at 1.2 speed 👵🏼😅
I am so proud of Aaron & what all he has accomplished since I was first introduced to Lore. I hope he continues to bless us with his storytelling & creativity!
As far as Exhumed, I am so glad humans have evolved over time,😳 but am saddened by what all had to be tested, experimented, & believed in order to get to where we are today. I doubt I could have survived those times.
September 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As a long time listener of Aaron Mahnke’s podcast Lore (as well as a watcher of the tv series) it’s impossible for me to not hear this book in his distinct voice and cadence. His writing style is apparent to anyone who knows his podcast work, and lends a bit of a casual conversational tone to this book, preventing it from ever feeling too much like a textbook. The overarching themes of folklore and medical history weave together well but can occasionally verge on feeling a bit thrown together at points (though they tie rather nicely together toward then end). Overall I don’t feel like I learned anything new, per se (again as an avid lover of Mahnke’s work and someone who consumes this genre a lot) but it was a nice refreshing filter to look at it all through.
As a long time listener of Aaron Mahnke’s podcast Lore (as well as a watcher of the tv series) it’s impossible for me to not hear this book in his distinct voice and cadence. His writing style is apparent to anyone who knows his podcast work, and lends a bit of a casual conversational tone to this book, preventing it from ever feeling too much like a textbook. The overarching themes of folklore and medical history weave together well but can occasionally verge on feeling a bit thrown together at points (though they tie rather nicely together toward then end). Overall I don’t feel like I learned anything new, per se (again as an avid lover of Mahnke’s work and someone who consumes this genre a lot) but it was a nice refreshing filter to look at it all through.
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