Morbid Curiosity Cures the Blues

Morbid Cvrs-newFrom Scribner’s Fall 2009 catalog:

“This is a unique and original compendium of completely true stories first published in the cult magazine Morbid Curiosity, “a Reader’s Digest of the dark side,” according to San Francisco Weekly. For ten years, Morbid Curiosity was a one-of-a-kind underground magazine that gained a devoted following for its celebration of absurd, gross, and unusual tales — all true — submitted from contributors around the world. Loren Rhoads, creator and editor of the magazine, has compiled stories from all ten issues in this sometimes shocking, occasionally gruesome, but always fascinating anthology. With the same voyeuristic appeal of Mortified and Found, this quirky book is filled with stories from ordinary people — who just happened to have eccentric and sometimes peculiar interests. Ranging from the outrageous (attending a Black Mass, fishing bodies out of San Francisco Bay, making snuff films) to the more “mundane” (visiting a torture museum and tracking real vampires through San Francisco), this curiously enjoyable collection of stories, complete with illustrations and informative sidebars, will entertain and haunt readers long after the final page is turned.”

Reviews: 

“Morbid Curiosity Cures the Blues is a fun if disturbing read for lovers of great nonfiction and the macabre. As promised, the tales will cure your blues.” — Library Journal

“Morbid Curiosity Cures The Blues is a must-read for those who want a glimpse into the dark side of people’s lives. There is something to suit everyone’s tastes. From the cradle to the grave and beyond, these stories tantalize and terrify.” — Dark Scribe Magazine

“Think of Morbid Curiosity Cures the Blues as Penthouse Forum letters for the disturbed crowd — except that these occurrences did happen. What it all boils down to is that this collection will be one of the strangest reads ever to enter the mind, knowing that Loren Rhoads prides herself on getting realistic accounts. Want more details? Pick it up and worry about the therapy bill later.” — Horror World

“Morbid Curiosity Cures the Blues is a collection of the strange, the shocking, and the sinister, but at the same time the stories are all so personal that they are heartfelt and heart-wrenching. These stories go beyond mere voyeurism. Through them, you take a journey to some very dark places. Like the authors, you won’t emerge unscathed, but perhaps you’ll have a deeper understanding of the dark side of the human psyche, including your own.” — Fatally Yours

Ordering information:

Morbid Curiosity Cures the Blues is available in paperback or as an ebook from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Indie Bound. Autographed or inscribed copies can be ordered directly from me.