Morbidly Curious - by Coltan Scrivner (Paperback)

About the Book

"The leading expert on the science behind morbid curiosity explains our spooky, gory, and macabre fascinations"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

"A fascinating examination of a feature of human nature that all of us have, most of us deplore (at least in others), and few of us understand."
--Steven Pinker, New York Times bestselling author of Rationality and Enlightenment Now

"An entertaining examination of the underlying reasons behind our attraction to the macabre."
--The New York Times Book Review

The leading expert on the science behind morbid curiosity explains our spooky, gory, and macabre fascinations

What makes us peek at a car wreck or binge-watch true crime shows late into the night? Why are some of us drawn to horror movies while others shudder at the thought? In Morbidly Curious, scientist Coltan Scrivner takes readers on a thrilling journey into the psychology of morbid curiosity, uncovering why we can't resist the macabre. From grisly serial killers to spine-chilling paranormal stories, Scrivner reveals the psychological forces that compel us to explore our darkest fears--and explains how this proclivity is more than just a quirk. It's a powerful survival instinct, helping us mentally prepare for real-world threats, all from the safety of our imaginations.

Blending fascinating insights and cutting-edge research at haunted houses across the world, Scrivner makes a powerful argument for the value of playing with fear and embracing the gruesome. Whether you're a horror fan yourself or just want to better understand the true crime craze, Morbidly Curious will open your eyes to the hidden benefits of exploring the dark side of human nature.

Review Quotes

Praise for Morbidly Curious

A Library Journal Best Book of 2025

"An entertaining examination of the underlying reasons behind our attraction to the macabre. . . . Scrivner does a fine job explaining and contextualizing our obsession with the grotesque and macabre through a psychological and evolutionary lens. Readers less inclined toward the dark and scary will hopefully have their horizons broadened. Readers with a high degree of morbid curiosity will find themselves vindicated (and just might consider keeping a few copies in reserve for scandalized loved ones)."
--The New York Times Book Review

"Insightfully counterintuitive, showing how horror audiences can be generally empathetic, explaining the benefits of 'scary play' for children. [Coltan is] particularly good at illustrating the science of why Halloween and the softer side of horror can be perversely cozy."
--Chicago Tribune

"Provocative, counterintuitive, and often compelling. . . . Scrivner provides substantial evidence that scenes of horror and gore may give some people 'a push, ' perhaps with help from an exposure therapist, 'to play with fear and explore our anxiety.'"
--Psychology Today

"Fascinating."
--PBS News Hour

"A fun and surprisingly illuminating read for those who love to be scared witless--and would like to know why."
--Five Books

"A science-based romp through horror, terror, gross-outs, and other things that go bump in the night."
--Kirkus Reviews

"A remarkable journey that delves into why humans can't seem to look away from the things that some would refer to as unhealthy, shocking, or fearsome. . . . This book is a must-read for those who can't help looking at the scene of an accident, gazing cautiously at a menacing-looking animal hiding behind a bush, watching horror movies or combat sports with unfiltered fixation, or cautiously walking through a dark house to find the source of a random sound. . . . Refreshing."
--Library Journal (STARRED review)

"Who doesn't slow down at a car crash? Need to hear all the gory details of someone's messy divorce, or cheating scandal? . . . . The wish to see the worst that life can offer can be a form of self-education, or even preparation, like stockpiling a survival kit. Scrivner blends research, analysis, folk-tales, and pop culture to create a fascinating portrait of the human mind: why we seek the darkness, and what we can learn from it."
--Lit Hub, "Most Anticipated Books of 2025, Part Two"

"A fascinating examination of a feature of human nature that all of us have, most of us deplore (at least in others), and few of us understand."
--Steven Pinker, New York Times bestselling author of Rationality and Enlightenment Now

"What sort of sickness drives our fascination with true crime, slasher films, and all things macabre? In this wonderfully unsettling exploration, Coltan Scrivner shows that morbid curiosity isn't a pathology at all--it's a form of preparation, one that deepens our empathy and builds our resilience. Morbidly Curious is sharp, humane, and a delight to read."
--Paul Bloom, author of Against Empathy and Psych

"I can't look away from this book. Dr. Scrivner doesn't shy away from explaining some of the darkest recesses of our curious mind, and as a result we learn so much more about humans."
--Scott Barry Kaufman, author of Wired to Create and Transcend

"When NPR or CNN wants to put a smart spin on its coverage of a bestselling vampire novel or a blockbuster horror movie, they put Coltan Scrivner on the air."
--San Francisco Chronicle

"An exhilarating and wise exploration. Through lively storytelling and fresh research, Scrivner illustrates how safely engaging with frightening experiences better prepares us for actual dangers. From predator detection in animals to the human fascination with horror films, morbid curiosity is revealed as a vital, evolved tool for survival."
--Rob Henderson, bestselling author of Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class

"Why are we drawn to death, danger, and disaster? In this fun, fascinating, and surprising book, behavioral scientist Coltan Scrivner shows that morbid curiosity isn't a flaw--it's a survival strategy in a world where risk and uncertainty are inevitable. Blending cutting-edge science with gripping stories, Scrivner reveals why the things that can harm us so often capture our attention."
--Athena Aktipis, PhD., author of A Field Guide to the Apocalypse: A Mostly Serious Guide to Surviving Our Wild Times

"A riveting exploration of our deepest, darkest fascinations. Once you start reading, you won't be able to look away."
--Steve Stewart-Williams, author of The Ape That Understood the Universe

"Morbidly Curious is like a guided tour through a haunted mansion - a carefully crafted expedition with an expert guide to unveil the psychology behind the sinister and the spooky. Coltan Scrivner has a gift for extracting deep insights from our darker compulsions."
--Tania Lombrozo, director of the Concepts & Cognition Lab at Princeton University

"Morbidly Curious is a smart, surprising, and even uplifting look at why we're drawn to true crime and horror. Scrivner uses cutting-edge science to show that our fascination with fear isn't something to hide from--it's a powerful instinct that keeps us safe and makes us human."
--Kurt Gray, author of Outraged

"Why are humans so captivated by blood and gore? In this razor-sharp book, Coltan Scrivner explains why our morbid curiosity is nothing to be ashamed of: it's a survival strategy honed by millions of years of natural selection. Combining cutting-edge science with mastery of pop culture, Morbidly Curious is a paean to the horror genre--and a window into human nature."
--David Pinsof, evolutionary psychologist and co-creator of Cards Against Humanity

"Morbidly Curious is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered why so many of us just can't seem to look away from the very things that scare us. From evolutionary biology to social psychology, Scrivner breaks down exactly what makes our morbidly curious brains tick in a way that is digestible, tremendously readable, and -- best of all -- belies a passion for the macabre."
--Nina Nesseth, author of Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films

"The title piqued my curiosity. As I read, I became morbidly curious. By the end, I had a great time. In Morbidly Curious, Coltan Scrivner takes us on a fascinating journey through horror films, true crime, haunted houses, and psychological experiments, revealing how engaging with fear can be a form of play that eases anxiety and even makes us better people. A fun, stimulating, and enlightening read!"
--Daniel T. Blumstein, author of The Nature of Fear

About the Author

Coltan Scrivner, PhD, is a behavioral scientist and horror entertainment producer. He is the world's leading expert on the science behind morbid curiosity and the appeal of frightening entertainment. He is also the executive director of the Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival and the Eureka Springs Zombie Crawl, one of the largest gatherings of zombies in the world.