One thing which doesn't need to be explained is our undying interest in things which seem to defy rational explanation. By dishing up a diverse range of such tales, UNEXPLAINED shows us that we don't need to tune into Netflix for the weird and wonderous when there could well be stranger things happening in the street around the corner. Whether it's reincarnation, UFO, demons-in-a-box, or poltergeists, Richard MacLean Smith approaches a range of allegedly true weirdnesses with an open mind.

The stories themselves are fascinating anyway, but what sets these accounts apart, in my view, is the way the author is neither trying to sell us on the veracity of the incidents nor setting out to debunk the accounts either. Instead, he presents the events as they were reported to have happened to those involved and then moves on to discussing possible scientific explanations (where possible), before also delving into wider philosophical implications. It's a refreshing approach that leaves us with more questions than answers - as anything which is unexplained rightly should do.

I loved the cover of this book and think I perhaps hoped it would be a bit more eery or unsettling than it was. Given how terrifying some of these events must have been for those involved, the prose could have been a little more visceral for my taste. But then, perhaps this is because I am not being as open-minded as I should be!

I am grateful to the publisher for letting me see an ARC of this book and I will look forward to tracking down the podcast which sparked it.

Unexplained, based on a successful podcast of the same name, is a feast of the supernatural, paranormal and just plain weird that is known to have happened at various periods throughout the UK and is practically perfect for those drawn-in Autumn nights as we head towards Halloween. I am a fan of these often creepy stories from all corners of the globe and read them no matter the dale they're published, but I must admit that these had a bigger impact on me being both from this country and released at an inspired time of the year!

It features ten real-life mysteries that had me gripped and under their spell quickly, and I loved how the tension ratcheted up over the course of each of them. Boy, some crime writers could use a lesson from Richard MacLean Smith given his masterful ability at creating an edge-of-your-seat, heart-in-your-mouth suspense fest! I never include spoilers in my reviews as I often feel a lot of books work best when the reader goes in blind, but I will say that there are a variety of different themes explored here. The stories touch on demonic possession, reincarnation, unidentified flying objects, unidentified diseases, mythology, poltergeists, and so much more. Not only are these stories intriguing, the author actually analyses them in a deeper and more meaningful way and discusses what such happenings can teach us about life in general. It comes across as meticulously researched, and you can certainly tell that it is a subject that the author is enthusiastic about and has a substantial interest in.

The writing was in parts a little dry for my tastes, but Smith's retellings are apparently all true and set in different years and different places throughout the UK. What particularly makes this book stand out against the rest in the genre is that the author doesn't just tell the stories, he actually uses scientific and philosophical principles to try and explain why these events may have taken place and how. This adds a different facet to them and was right up my street! Highly recommended for chills, thrills and spills!

Many thanks to Sceptre for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This is the UK version of "Lore". I loved all the creepy supposedly true stories set all across the UK.
Ghosts, strange happenings and weird diseases were all part and parcel of the text and stories in the book.
The thing I think adds to the narrative is the science and philosophy that runs alongside it. I felt that I learned a lot about people's behaviours and possible scientific explanations for what happened, as well as a good story.

This isn't just telling us ghost stories for shock value, but really investigating the reason why these strange things are happening.

Fascinating book.

I really should read more ‘local’ books about my area. You often forget what a plethora of history and mythology can exist in an area you live in, and it was truely delightful to read some stories based solely around the region I have lived and grown up in for over 30 years (minus a year I spent living in Manchester). It’s made me fall in love with Teesside all over again.

This is a mixture of various supernatural stories, ideal for this time of year. There’s reincarnation, UFOs and possession. All of the tales are unexplained, and the author goes into great depth about the history behind the mythology, and provides a very comprehensive analysis. It’s clearly well researched and told with enthusiasm for the subject. I just found that at times the writing style was a little dry and hard going. Sometimes this attention to detail also detracted from the storytelling rather than enhance it, and I found it difficult to really get into - which was a shame as the potential and passion is clearly there.

I’ll be forever greatful to the author for reintroducing me to Teesside and seeing it through new eyes but I wanted more storytelling, perhaps told in a more lighthearted manner, to sweep me up into the stories.