Real-Life Mysteries & Disasters: Deadly Facts, Amazing Evidence, and the True Stories Behind 22 Incredible Events

INVESTIGATE the facts, EVALUATE the theories, and DISCOVER what really happened! From Bigfoot and UFOs to mega-volcanoes and killer lakes, this colorful and kid-friendly book presents the fascinating intel behind some of the world's most enduring mysteries and catastrophes.

Does the Loch Ness Monster actually exist? What made the Black Death so lethal? And was there really a documented case of time travel?

From puzzling apparitions and mythical beasts to natural mega-eruptions and terrifying man-made catastrophes, this book re-examines real events that have captured the public imagination for years. Read the stories behind each event, then examine the Case File or Disaster Dossier that follows to find out what expert investigators had to say. Assess eyewitness statements, parse newspaper clippings, and scan specialists' opinions ... then make up your own mind about what really happened!

Curious kids will learn how to decipher evidence and practice analytical skills through examining real-life events in this colorful and engaging book.

Author: Susan Martineau
Publisher: Bright Matter Books
Published: 11/04/2025
Pages: 96
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.40lbs
Size: 9.90h x 8.70w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9798217116300
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 10/15/2025
School Library Journal 11/01/2025 pg. 109
Booklist 11/01/2025

About the Author
Susan Martineau is an author, editor and first-class fact finder who writes creative and educational books for children. Her book Real-Life Mysteries is the winner of the Blue Peter Book Award for Best Book with Facts. She has been writing information books for children for over twenty years, but began her career as a non-fiction books' editor with the BBC in London. She has lived in several different countries, including France and Malaysia, but is now based back in Reading, UK. She was a kid who always wanted to know about everything, so she researches and writes the kind of books she would have liked as a child!

Vicky Barker is an award-winning illustrator and designer whose humorous, energetic artwork and clear, clever layouts have been bringing children's books to life for over a decade. Vicky lives between Worthing, London, and Los Angeles and has worked on a broad range of books over the years.