Aaron Mahnke — Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire

Aaron Mahnke, the creator and host of the award-winning podcast *Lore*, presents a deep dive into the macabre intersection of folklore, early medical practices, and American history that led to the New England Vampire Panic of the 1890s. In his book *Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire*, Mahnke investigates the grisly 1892 exhumation of Mercy Brown's body, where her heart was removed—an act rooted in the era's "consumption" (tuberculosis) outbreaks and the belief that the dead could prey on the living. Drawing on a decade of research, Mahnke connects that shocking event to a broader narrative spanning European folklore, mummification techniques, the role of executioners, medicine made from corpses, and the pseudoscience of the time, all of which shaped 19th-century attitudes toward death and the soul. The result is a revelatory look at human behavior that continues to resonate today, ideal for fans of Mary Roach’s *Stiff* and Brad Meltzer’s *The First Conspiracy*. Mahnke lives in the historic Boston area, the heart of Lovecraft Country and the epicenter of the Salem Witch Trials.

When: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

Showtimes: Single event starting at 7:00 PM; no additional showtimes listed.

Tickets: This event is free with first come, first served seating. No advance ticket purchase is required.

Lineup: Aaron Mahnke author talk and book signing (likely, given the format).

Run time: Not specified in the page; typical author events run 60–90 minutes including Q&A.

Ages: Not specified; content is suitable for adult readers interested in history, folklore, and the macabre.

Venue: Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008.

Note: To request accommodations or inquire about accessibility, please email events@politics-prose.com ideally one week in advance of the event date. The event will make an effort to accommodate all requests up until the time of the event. A preorder of *Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire* is available for $30.00 (hardcover, ISBN 9798894141817, publish date August 4, 2026). The event is free and open to the public.