Your cart (0)
Your cart is empty
Tax included and shipping calculated at checkout
Coltan Scrivner PhD
About the book
“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
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.
Published on by Penguin Books.
This book has 272 pages and is a Paperback.
Be Notified When This Piece Becomes Available
We sell both brand-new books and pre-loved treasures through our secondhand imprint, Second Chapter. Every book is clearly labelled with its condition:
- Newly Summoned — Brand new, untouched by mortal hands. Fresh from the publisher.
- Barely Haunted — Pre-loved but in lovely condition. Light shelf wear at most; any previous owner left barely a trace.
- Clearly Haunted — A book that's lived a little. Expect visible wear — creased spines, tanned pages or scuffed corners — but fully readable and full of character.
- Exorcism Needed — Heavily worn and priced accordingly. These books have stories beyond the one printed inside. Perfect for readers who love a battle-scarred companion (or crafters after materials).
No, we on offer shipping to the United Kingdom for now.
We offer complimentary shipping on all orders over £35.
Orders are dispatched via Royal Mail 48 Tracked, posted through our local Post Office. You'll receive tracking details once your order is on its way.
Royal Mail 48 typically arrives within 2–3 working days of dispatch, though it isn't a guaranteed service — occasionally the postal spirits take a little longer.
We aim to dispatch orders within 2 working days of purchase. Please note some new titles are fulfilled directly from our distributor, which can affect dispatch times — see Availability below.
Eligible items may be returned within 14 days of delivery, provided they are unharmed and in original condition.
The fastest way to exchange an item is to return it and place a new order.
In-stock items are held by us and dispatched directly.
New books may be fulfilled from our trusted UK book distributor. These usually dispatch within [X–X working days] — the product page will indicate estimated timings.
Second Chapter books are one of a kind. When it's gone, it's gone (that's rather the point). If you love it, don't leave it lingering in your basket — carts do not reserve stock, and another Spooky Reader may spirit it away.
If something's out of stock, sign up for a back-in-stock notification on the product page, or contact us — we're often able to order titles in.
Yes we do, however we need to do this manually. If you'd like to make a purchase with your tokens, please get in touch and we will put through a custom order for you.
Final Selection
- Product label: Sold out
- Product label: Sold out
- Product label: Sold out
