What a wonderfully spooky, entertaining, educational, and laugh-out-loud funny book! J.W. Ocker is known as a superb tour guide for oddities and the macabre, and he upholds his reputation in fine fashion here. At the heart of this book is the conviction that reputedly cursed artifacts are great springboards for storytelling, and this really comes through in the tales Ocker weaves (complete with locations and body counts). This is the perfect book for the Halloween season!

I don't typically read non-fiction because I like weird things. Well this book had weird things, and had them in droves. Some of the cursed objects I had heard of (the Hope Diamond, Robert the Doll, the Dybbuk Box) and some that I didn't (like the Antikythera mechanism, the Black Angel of Oakland Cemetery, or Otzi the Iceman). The author is very tongue-in-cheek about some of the cursed object stories, but he seemed to have an open mind which made it more enjoyable.

The narrator was terrific. I felt like I was sitting around with some guy that liked to tell stories. Definitely worth giving it a try.

Princess Fuzzypants here: This is the first audiobook we have reviewed. Momma is old school, mainly because she is old. She loved books and it took her a long time to accept e-books. Now she loves the idea of carrying around her library in one little tablet. For us audiobooks were for commuters who wanted to do something while travelling or little old ladies like my Nanny who no longer can read.

We thought this might be a good book with which to conduct a highly unscientific test. We actually enjoyed the audiobook. The narrator was interesting. We liked his delivery as it captured the slightly tongue in cheek slant of the stories. The author is clearly not convinced that objects can be cursed but is willing to keep an open mind. More often than not, there is an explanation for the “curse” but some are left open to the imagination of the reader. This is not a book for a firm believer in every conspiracy and story ever woven. But for those of us who enjoy the trip into a nether world where much is possible, it is enjoyable.

Reviewing the book and the experience, I would give it a solid four purrs and two paws up. I might even check out more audiobooks. Maybe.

The narrator was fantastic - his voice and accents may be the only reason I got through the book. These "strange stories" were more of a compilation of BuzzFeed worthy listicles chock-full of dad jokes. I imagine the hard copy complete with the illustrations would a better way to consume these gross and silly accounts.

If this audiobook was supposed to keep me away from cursed objects, it failed dismally. This is such a fun read that I’ve added some of the museums it features to my bucket list, though maybe I should save them for last. Being an illustrated volume, the audiobook loses the visual component but, since there is always Google, it’s not a big problem. On the other hand, what it lacks in this regard, it more than makes up for it with Tim Campbell’s excellent narration. Like your funniest friend telling scary stories around a campfire, he makes the audiobook creepy and funny at once. Some stories are better known than others (the Hope Diamond anyone?), but it was specially interesting to hear about more modern cursed objects (videogames, chain emails, etc.) I really enjoyed this spooky volume.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Tantor Audio!

Really enjoyed this book!

Cursed Objects is a super digestible book, the audiobook version especially. I listened to it over the course of a day (a little over 5 hours). It feels like one of those bathroom books you stay reading until your legs go numb.

It had some cursed staples I’d already heard about, but a lot of them were fresh and not ones you’d normally find on, say, a Buzzfeed list. Very much enjoyed it!

Dive deep into J.W. Ockers study and research into strange and cursed objects around the world! He meticulously investigates tales and lore behind many of history’s most famous cursed objects and many lesser known.

I was rapt in his tales and facts he provided for each object. His writing style for this topic had an easy story teller-like flow and made made these dark and cursed objects into fascinating tales. I was hoped from the beginning. I have read many listicles and watched similar YouTube videos on this subject and I found Ocker’s research much more thorough and engaging.

The narration of this book flowed well and made it easy to get lost in the cursed objects and tales described. I felt that it was like listening to a conversation in the way the narrator’s speech flowed, making it easy to keep up with and stay interested in. I thoroughly enjoyed this narrators voice and cadence.

I was enraptured by the tales told and I found myself on a tablet as I listened looking up images of the objects as I listened. I plan on purchasing a copy the physical book in the near future! This was a great book and fun audiobook, I highly recommend it.

Cursed Objects by J.W. Ocker is scheduled to release September 15th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from Tantor Audio, via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#CursedObjects #JWOcker #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

From cursed dolls to legendary gems, J.W. Ocker tells the tale of many a scary, supposedly cursed, item in his book Cursed Objects. He recounts the legends, adds in other tidbits, cracks more than a few jokes.... He makes the stories entertaining, more than scary or creepy. And....he doesn't take the legends too seriously. If there is any factual information that the stories might be hinky or fake in any way, he shares that information, too.

There were some items in this collection of stories that I was already familiar with -- the Hope Diamond, Annabelle the cursed doll, a cursed chair nobody can sit in -- but many were new to me.

I listened to the audio version of this book. Narrated by Tim Campbell, the audio runs just over 5 hours long. Easy listening length. Campbell reads in a fun, upbeat way, bringing out the humor Ocker interjects while still sharing the creepy backstories of all sorts of items. The writing style, and Campbell's entertaining narration, made it easy to get through 5 hours of back to back tales of reported curses.

Very entertaining audio book! Ocker obviously did a lot of research and spent a lot of time gathering so much information on so many cursed objects. I had fun listening to all of the stories!

This book is not heavy on spookiness or dark foreboding...Ocker interjects fun into the topic of legendary items that come with a blood price of some sort. For those who want a completely serious look at the cursed tales, then another book might be a better choice. But for readers who want to know a well-rounded story about the curse legends (like the supposed curse on King Tut's tomb being fabricated by reporters after one media source was granted exclusive rights to the real story of the tomb's discovery) and enjoy a bit of humor thrown in the mix, this is a great trek through historical objects that might come with added hellish baggage.

Full stars from me! Very entertaining!

**I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this audio book from Tantor Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. This review is not cursed in any way..... or..... is it? (insert ominous music stab here...da dahhhhhhhh da) **

I graciously received an advanced copy of this audio-book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to start off by saying that this book did two things that I never thought would happen in my lifetime: 1) enjoy listening to an audio-book and 2) enjoy some history being taught.

I typically choose not to listen to audio-books because I have a hard time concentrating when someone is reading to me. But I think because of the combination of the narrator’s tone and the fact that this book was not a novel it made this audio-book most entertaining. I felt at times as if I was sitting with a friend over coffee and listening to their knowledge of so many different cursed items (which would be a great conversation for me).

There is nothing dark about this book, just informative and very interesting. The author wrote in such a way that there is no push in trying to make the reader believe in curses or not. I liked that the author did his research and presented it in an open way.

I am only rating it a 4-star, for now, since I have not been able to view the illustrations. However, I may change my rating once I receive my physical copy once I purchase.

I loved this book! This a nonfiction book , and the author explains the difference between cursed objects, possessed objects and just objects with history. He tells about a wide variety of objects from small jewels to even a frozen man. The history and the research of all of the objects is absolutely amazing and even the stories of all the objects.
Even stating how an object becomes cursed or hexed. I was given a copy of the audiobook and the narrator did such an amazing job! I definitely recommend this audiobook or book to anyone interested in the paranormal or any of the cursed objects!

*I was given an advanced copy of this title by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This is a delightful (albeit bite-sized) look at many different objects from the Hope Diamond to King Tut. None of the items are truly investigated, rather the author spends a couple of minutes summarizing the item's discovery information and why it is considered a problem, like a witty Wikipedia entry. The audiobook narrator, Tim Campbell, is wonderful, giving the right tone to capture both the dry wit of the author and factual information. I imagine this being a great audiobook for a family car ride with middle schoolers. I can't say that I would reccomend it for adults looking for real information, but it's fun and informative for a quick listen that is easy to stop and start.

5⭐️
This isn’t about curses. This is about cursed objects. The book reminded me of the time I went with my school to see the tomb of king Tut. And last year when I went with my husband to DC and crowded around the hope diamond. Both times I never once thought about the curses. Nope. I didn’t think about the cursed people and how they died. But now after finishing this I’m really intrigued. Crazy, almost unbelievable.
I gave this 5 stars because the narrator was excellent and kept me interested. It felt like a very long podcast. The format was done very well. The object, the year, and it current location. Then a description of the curses and or events. I’m definitely going to see Robert the doll in Key West, Florida, and I might by my own replica when I get there. Just saying. And I had no idea that the Annabelle movie were based on an actual real doll. Creepy.....
I highly recommend this book. If you like history then you’ll love this.


Thank you NETGALLEY and the publisher for this ARC audiobook, in exchange for my honest review.

I was expecting this book to sufficiently creepy me out, and it definitely did. I listened to this as an audiobook, but looking at the hardcover online, I want to snag a copy for a decorative Halloween coffee table book. The book covers cursed objects from dolls and chairs to CHAIN EMAILS. The full spooky scene! Proceed with caution because the author has cursed objects with verified histories of doing some damage.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the Audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I usually stay away from nonfiction books as most of the ones I've read were quite a disappointment, but this one caught my eye instantly. And how could it not when it was about various cursed objects? The book was truly a nice surprise, and I really enjoyed it.

The chapters were short and easy to follow. The book was informative, and a fun read as well. It talked about the history of each object (which I loved to read about!), but not in a way that would drag on like a history book. And the narrator, Tim Campbell, was also fantastic. All in all, it was a great read.

First off I want to thank NetGalley, J.W. Ocker, and Quirk Books for the advance copy of Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World’s Most Infamous Items. I was given this copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Now, on to the review.

As someone who has always had a fascination with unsolved mysteries, spooky stories, horror movies, and all things macabre, J.W. Ocker’s Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World’s Most Infamous Items seemed right up my alley, and just in time for my favorite season of the year, too. Not only that but Ocker’s book is plain fun to read.

The book is split into seven sections and the content ranges from well-known cursed items such as Annabelle the doll, as well as Ed or Lorraine Warren’s occult collection, and James Dean’s iconic death Porsche Spyder. However, it also touches on lesser known tales of woe and misfortune that have befallen those who have come into contact with cursed items, including the mummy that might have had a hand in sinking the Titanic and starting a war.

Cursed Objects is well-written and straightforward, with nifty illustrations in the print version to pair with each account of these dastardly cursed objects. Ocker’s compendium is great for fans of trivia, history buffs, mystery and macabre lovers, and a great starting point for those looking to further research these infamous items. This is one book that would make a great addition to anyone’s cabinet of curiosities.

Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World’s Most Infamous Items is scheduled for release September 15, 2020 wherever books are sold.

Very fun! I love stuff like this! Great information! I really enjoy podcasts like Lore, I adore history and little known facts, interesting stories. Great, very interesting!

I was lucky enough to be provided with the audiobook ARC for review.
I have read J.W. Ocker before and love his writing style and subject matter. This book was no different. The author provides the stories behind various cursed objects from those we might know already such as famous cursed dolls to more obscure objects. I thought the information was fascinating and I learned a lot about the world of cursed objects.
The narrator’s voice kept me intrigued. It was highly listenable.

Audio review first - the narrator manages the exact right combination of open minded interest and healthy scepticism in his tone. He was the perfect choice for this book. I'm hoping that this was pre-proof listen though because the sound engineer has a lot of work to do - lots of repeated chapters and chapters that cut out and restart. Presumably this will be fixed in the final version





The book itself is entertaining and informative. Light enough to be fun but also pulling no punches with the history and origin of objects. Rather than an exhaustive text book on the subject, this is an easily digestible primer - a great place to start if you have an interest in pursuing (in research!) any of the items mentioned further. The book is also neatly divided in to types of cursed objects - looking at items such as jewels, stones, antiques and so on. The sheer breadth and variety of objects said to be cursed is surprising. I found this book especially interesting as a writer of speculative fiction - there's lots of juicy tidbits and story ideas here!



Overall and enjoyable and informative read, that doesn't take itself too seriously.

I have always been fascinated by stories of objects being cursed, so I was intrigued when I read the synopsis of this book. The tales were fascinating and wide ranging. The author did a good job retelling the stories and there were a few times when I would get chills (This might have had something to do with listening in the dark, late at night, during a storm.)I like to feel a little scared and it kept the book flowing. All in all it was a interesting read. I highly recommend it as an audiobook. I greatly enjoyed the narrators voice and the manuscript had a nice flow to it.

I received an advanced copy of the audiobook from NetGalley and Quirk Books for an honest review.

An absolutely fascinating and humorous coverage of various cursed objects from around the world. I fully intend to read this book again and hope it will become a series in time.