7 Gripping Nonfiction Books About the Greatest Mysteries

Reading books covering unsolved mysteries is like going on a twisting road without definite destinations. Readers find the anticipation captivating and are kept on their toes, wondering if there is hope for the character or if it will be left to be pondered about.

Despite this elusive element, authors remain committed to unveiling riddles, mysteries, and the electrifying thrill that anybody can savor by the last sentence. Luckily, many nonfiction books provide theories and insights that keep the readers entertained, especially when the story is more interesting than the destination.

Here are seven books about seven historical mysteries.

The Voynich Manuscript by Raymond Clemens

The Voynich Manuscript, which was revealed in 1912, became an intriguing artifact with unclear roots and aims. The mysterious writing, including elaborate paintings of beautiful plants and the women in the tub, has puzzled scholars for centuries. Despite many attempts to crack it, the manuscript's code has not been revealed, prompting readers to search for the truth by looking into original facsimiles and essays. 

Encephalitis Lethargica by Joel Vilensky, PhD

The book digs into the perplexing medical mystery of Encephalitis Lethargica, an illness rampant in the 1920s and 1930s, differing since it impacted sleeping patterns and postencephalitic parkinsonism. This book offers a simple but thorough introduction to its timeline, symptoms, and leading causes, which is highly instrumental for the specialist and ordinary reader.

Although the particular solution to the mysterious disease is not shown, the book provides more understanding and readiness to react to any possible manifestations of the illness in the future.

Perfect Murder, Perfect Town by Lawrence Schiller

This book unravels the mystery of the JonBenét Ramsey case piece by piece, from the constant media dragging of the mysterious family and a community in turmoil financially. It focuses on the Ramsey family for their involvement in the investigation, reads between the lines of the ransom note to find clues, and questions whether an intruder could have killed JonBenét.

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Dead Mountain by Donnie Eichar

The book unravels the chilling puzzle of nine hikers in the Russian Ural Mountains who met a mysterious end in 1959. Through stories told by those there, government documents, and author Donnie Eichar's investigative journey deep into what happened on Dead Mountain, the book makes you think about the scary events, keeping readers hooked with the intense story and confusing riddle that is still not solved.

Ghost Ship by Brian Hicks

Brian Hicks looked deeply into the long mystery of the Mary Celeste, a boat deserted in the northern Atlantic in 1872. Through careful research, he finds the real story behind the crew disappearing, proving made-up tales wrong and showing the sad mix of human mistakes and bad luck that led to what happened.

The Dancing Plague by John Waller

John Waller explores the Dancing Plague in Strasbourg in 1518, explaining what went down. Waller showed what the context was historically, diving deep into the peculiarities of the human brain and communities' ability to go with crowd hysteria, finally giving a captivating tale about this strange happening.

The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi

This book delves into the horrifying mystery behind the notorious serial killer who resided in the picturesque Italian hills. Preston's story evolves as he discovers the dark mysteries surrounding the tragic killings, weaving the past and present in an engaging inquiry that combines true crime and historical research elements. 

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