20 Books Every Serious Ghost Hunter Should Read (If You Actually Want to Find the Truth)
If you’ve been following my investigations, you already know I don’t wander around in the dark hoping a ghost will whisper my name. I’m a skeptic at heart. I want to believe, but I also want evidence that can stand up to more than a late-night jump scare.
Whether you’re a seasoned paranormal investigator or someone tired of watching “TV ghost hunters” yell at dust, here are 20 books that belong on every scientific ghost hunter’s shelf. These aren’t your usual “a spirit told me to write this” books — these are about method, psychology, data, and the long, weird history of our obsession with the afterlife.
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1. Investigating Ghosts: The Scientific Search for Spirits by Benjamin Radford
If you read one book from this list, make it this one. Radford takes on ghost photos, EVPs, orbs, and “haunted” evidence with logic and science. He’s like the myth-busting voice of reason we all need when our REM pod goes wild at 2 a.m.
2. Ghost Hunting: How to Investigate the Paranormal by Loyd Auerbach
Auerbach is a parapsychologist who teaches this stuff. His approach is structured, detailed, and perfect if you want to take your investigations beyond “Did you hear that?!”
3. The Complete Paranormal Investigation Handbook by Richard Palmisano & Peter Roe
Think of this as the paranormal investigator’s field manual. It covers how to plan, record, and analyze your data like a pro — without letting emotions (or creepy vibes) get in the way.
4. Paranormal Investigation: The Black Book of Scientific Ghost Hunting by Brian Sterling-Vete & Helen Renee Wuorio
A methodical, step-by-step guide to conducting investigations. If you love procedure, this book will be your happy place.
5. ESP, Hauntings and Poltergeists by Loyd Auerbach
This one goes deeper into theory. Auerbach explores what might actually cause hauntings — and whether poltergeist activity could come from the living, not the dead.
6. An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural by James Randi
Every investigator should have this book nearby. Randi spent his life exposing paranormal frauds, and his writing is sharp, witty, and brutally honest. A great reminder that not everything that goes bump in the night is supernatural.
7. The Science of Weird Sht* by Chris French
Don’t let the title fool you — this book dives into how our brains create paranormal experiences. If you’ve ever wondered why so many people see ghosts under the same conditions, this explains it.
8. A Natural History of Ghosts: 500 Years of Hunting for Proof by Roger Clarke
Part ghost story, part cultural study. Clarke takes you through centuries of ghost hunting and belief, showing how science and superstition have danced together since the beginning.
9. Field Guide to Ghost Hunting Techniques by Dale Kaczmarek
Old-school but solid. This guide covers investigation steps, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing data. If you like lists, forms, and organization — this one’s for you.
10. Ghost Hunting: An Introduction to Paranormal Investigation by Dawn J. Schofield
A balanced mix of method and experience. Schofield’s case stories show how unpredictable investigations can be — and why keeping a cool head matters.
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11. Ghost Hunting from A to Z by Lowell Lindeman & James Kroenig
A lesser-known gem that focuses on the “why” behind procedures. Great for anyone building a structured investigative team.
12. Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death by Deborah Blum
An amazing historical read. It follows actual scientists from the early 1900s who tried to prove the existence of spirits — long before ghost shows were a thing.
13. Handbook for the Amateur Paranormal Investigator by Brian D. Parsons
If you’re serious about forming a research team (and not just a group of flashlight-wielding thrill seekers), Parsons teaches organization, documentation, and ethics.
14. Ghost Hunting for Dummies by Zak Bagans
Okay, I had to include this one for… contrast. It’s not exactly “scientific,” but it’s useful to see how entertainment and investigation can drift apart.
15. Ghostology: The Art of the Ghost Hunter by Steven T. Parsons
Parsons dives into the psychology and philosophy of ghost hunting. It’s a good bridge between technical investigation and understanding why people believe what they do.
16. Paranormal Technology: Understanding the Science of Ghost Hunting by David M. Rountree
If you love gadgets, this one’s for you. Rountree breaks down how ghost-hunting tools work (and when they don’t).
17. Scientific Paranormal Investigation by Benjamin Radford
Another Radford masterpiece. He covers how to test paranormal claims without bias — something the field desperately needs more of.
18. Ghost Hunting: A Practical Guide by Andrew Green & Alan Murdie
One of the earliest “scientific” ghost-hunting guides. Some of the tech is dated, but the investigative principles are timeless.
19. Mysterious New Mexico by Benjamin Radford
Case studies of hauntings, monsters, and miracles — all dissected scientifically. It’s a great example of how to research hauntings in your own region.
20. Ghost Hunting: True Stories of Unexplained Phenomena by Jason Hawes & Grant Wilson
Written by the founders of TAPS (yep, Ghost Hunters from TV). While not strictly scientific, it’s an interesting peek into how investigations are portrayed for entertainment — versus how they actually work in the field.
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My Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing all these books prove, it’s that ghost hunting doesn’t have to be anti-science. You can love the mystery, the thrill, and the history while still demanding real evidence.
Science doesn’t kill the magic — it makes the genuine unexplained moments mean more.
So if you’re ready to step up your ghost-hunting game, start building your library. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll catch something that even Benjamin Radford can’t debunk. Until then, keep your batteries charged, your mind open, and your skepticism sharper than your EMF detector.
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— Spooky Cat Lady