Haunted Magazine started life as a print publication in 2009 and ran until 2011. In 2012 it changed to digital only, and now the paranormal periodical is available both via the app store, for free, as well as a limited edition run of 500 printed copies of each issue.

The magazine covers all subjects, ghostly, spooky and other things that go bump in the night. Its primary aim is to do what a magazine should – entertain its readers. It’s not there to preach or bamboozle you with science. It’s packed full of paranormal pleasure.

It takes a modern approach to the history and mystery of the paranormal, but the writing never takes itself too seriously. If you've tried and enjoyed the online version then I strongly recommend that you at least pick up one print edition. Firstly, it helps support a British publishing house that so obviously put its readers well before its own financial considerations. This is a project born out of love for the subject and presented to others who also have a keen interest in the paranormal.

We were sent the currently available issues to flick through and I have to admit that while my interest in the unexplained kind of peaked when I was a teenager in the '80s, the diversity of subjects covered in each issue is impressive enough that I was hooked. I also have a friend who is an avid collector of paranormal books and he was also mightily impressed with the content.

#15 has a number of articles on Jack the Ripper, the most interesting claims to have solved the mystery of who the notorious serial killer was, thanks to DNA analysis.

#17 tackles something I've long moaned about - the ludicrous rise to popularity of the "fake" paranormal show Most Haunted. I won't go into details about why I have such an issue with the series (you can read my thoughts on: Most Haunted: Series 9; 13; and Most Haunted (Almost) Live Series 7). Needless to say, the show has made a mockery of any serious investigation into the existence of ghosts.

Women in Paranormal - Special Edition examines the current notable female paranormal personalities. It also includes a look at the new Ghostbusters movie as well as a couple of features on crystals.

So why should you buy the printed editions over the free online version? Well, for starters there's something pleasurable about receiving publications in the post. The smell as you flick through them; the glossy look and feel of the pages; the fact that designers can actually be creative in a way they can't really online... And then there's the fact that you're paying to keep, what is so obviously a labour of love, alive.

If I had one slight complaint, it's that the contents at the start of the issue could do with a brief explanation of what each article is about - although most of them are pretty self explanatory.

To see the latest articles on the publication's site visit haunteddigitalmagazine.com

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Darren Rea