The Mystery of Haunted Houses

by Chris Oxlade

This updated edition asks some great questions. What is a poltergeist? Why are more ghosts reported in older houses? How do people investigate a haunted house? Some things are so strange that they cannot be explained. The 'Can Science Solve?' books present some of the most puzzling mysteries that logic and science have yet to solve. This series explains the connection between science and natural phenomena and how science can be used to try to explain mysteries.

Genres: Ghost Stories

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1901

About the author

Chris Oxlade is the best-selling author of more than 150 non-fiction books, most of them explaining complex scientific ideas and modern technology to young readers in readable text.

Reviews

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book for younger readers starts out by defining a ghost and the types of haunted places. It goes into folklore and the various types of ghosts. A couple of pages are devoted to the Borley Rectory haunting. After that it goes into other places that are supposedly haunted, including the White House.


Then it shows how some reported ghost noises can be explained by movements of a house such as wood expanding due to damp air. Renovations in a house and even plumbing can also result in noises that some people would attribute to ghosts. Other more technical explaintions such as subsidence are covered in the next couple of pages. Just like UFOs, some ghosts can be explained by tricks of lighting.


The next couple of pages deal with paranormal abilities like telekinesis.


Then it covers how a haunted house should be investigated, starting out by interviewing witnesses. Various items used in such investigations are discussed, and then photographs, including fakes, are covered. A couple of pages then summarize arguments on both sides of the issue.