J.W. Ocker starts his new book by warning you that it is cursed. In short, don’t steal this book or you’re in for some trouble. Once you’ve accepted that, its time to delve into some of the world’s most infamous cursed items, as well as a wealth of those you’ve never heard of. Whether it’s items like the Hope diamond, a mummy that may have sunk the Titanic, and a ring with a strong curse, Ocker finds some of the coolest items world wide and describes them in detail. He doesn’t stop there; he also explores those who investigate the unknown and collect cursed objects. The curse listed in the book? He actually found that during his research.
Ocker is no stranger to the bizarre and unknown; he runs the popular (and highly entertaining) blog OTIS, Odd Things I’ve Seen. He even spent an entire October in Salem to capture the community’s feel in the book A Season with the Witch. The book focuses on telling a good story and keeping the reader entertained. At times, he makes sure to emphasize that the story may or may not actually be based in reality. My only real issue with this book is his description of the owners of the Traveling Museum of the Paranormal and the Occult. As someone who spends a fair amount of time in their Patreon private chat, I’ve found them to be nothing but knowledgeable, with a focus on “Curiosity Over Fear.” In short, Ocker’s irreverent description of the Newkirks misses the mark. However, his description on some of the others….I’ll stop here so I don’t get in trouble. Oh, and the Dybbuk box isn’t real…anyhow….
Cursed Objects is a fun read that doubles as a jumping off point for those who either want to just enjoy a good story or discover something new to research more in depth.
Cursed Objects is available from Quirk Books September 15, 2020.
