Lore

Special Announcement: Exhumed

January 9, 2026

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  • The podcast *Lore* originated 11 years prior when the host decided to turn historical essays he had written into a podcast format, starting with the story of Mercy Brown. 
  • The host, Aaron Mahnke, has written a new book titled *Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire*, which serves as a deep, 400-page historical exploration of the Mercy Brown exhumation and the surrounding folklore and science of the time. 
  • The book *Exhumed* is available for pre-order immediately and is scheduled for release on August 4th, with the audiobook narrated by the author. 

Segments

Podcast Origin Story
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(00:00:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The podcast Lore began 11 years ago when the host converted initial historical essays into a podcast format after an initial PDF distribution idea failed.
  • Summary: The host experienced a crisis 11 years ago regarding his initial plan to distribute historical essays as a PDF to email subscribers. He pivoted this content into a podcast, which became Lore, starting with the essay that most captured his attention. This origin story highlights the decade-long commitment to creating the show.
Mercy Brown Story Overview
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(00:00:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Mercy Brown, a Rhode Island teenager who died in 1892, was exhumed and her heart burned because she was the third family member to die from the same illness while her brother was still sick, leading townsfolk to suspect supernatural feeding.
  • Summary: Mercy Brown died in 1892 in a small Rhode Island farming community after her mother and sister succumbed to the same illness, prompting local desperation. Townsfolk suspected one of the deceased Browns was feeding on the living from the grave, a belief evidenced by signs found upon exhumation. To break the perceived curse, Mercy’s corpse was examined, and her heart was burned.
Introduction of New Book
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(00:02:40)
  • Key Takeaway: The host spent two years writing the book Exhumed to explore the underlying folklore, social norms, scientific beliefs, and cultural trends that caused the 1892 Mercy Brown exhumation.
  • Summary: The host began writing the book Exhumed approximately two years ago to deeply investigate the ‘why’ behind the shocking events of 1892. The book aims to piece together the contributing folklore and scientific perspectives of 19th-century America that made the exhumation seem acceptable. The book is described as a 400-page historical journey, similar to a 20-episode Lore miniseries of new material.
Book Availability and Call to Action
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(00:03:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The book Exhumed is available for pre-order starting today, arrives on August 4th, and can be purchased in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats via the host’s website.
  • Summary: The book Exhumed is available for pre-order immediately, with an official arrival date set for August 4th; pre-orders are crucial for its potential bestseller status. It is written to be accessible to non-historians, offering depth beyond a simple retelling of the exhumation. Copies are available in hardcover, e-book, and an audiobook narrated by Aaron Mahnke, accessible via aaronmahnke.com/exhumed.