Reviews
“A must-read for any serious horror fan, Nightmare Fuel is a smart look at not only what scares us, but why it scares us. Nesseth masterfully dissects the horror genre in an immensely readable fashion.” —Lisa Kröger, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Monster, She Wrote
“Perfect for horror buffs and dabblers alike…. Nesseth covers everything from social history to sound design to cognitive neuroscience, and does it with a confident hand and an ever-present love for the macabre.” —Caitlin Starling, bestselling author of The Death of Jane Lawrence
“If you’ve ever wondered why horror movies are scary and how, precisely, they affect our brains and bodies, then Nightmare Fuel is for you. Nesseth breaks down scientific research related to horror and the effects of fear in accessible prose. A fascinating read for both casual and committed fans of horror media.” —Melanie R. Anderson, co-author of Monster, She Wrote
“Whether you’re here for the science, the psychology, or just a touch of blood magic that makes for Nightmare Fuel, Nesseth delivers. An intriguing consideration of terror and its mechanics. Highly recommended.” —Angela Slatter, award-winning author of All the Murmuring Bones
“This is an enlightening—and fun—look at what goes on when one’s blood runs cold.” —Publishers Weekly
“In Nightmare Fuel, Nesseth picks apart the stitching from the unquiet corpses of our fears to better shine a light on each dismembered limb, taking their measurements and puzzling out the how and why they spring so eagerly to life in the dark night of our imaginations.” —Jordan Shiveley author of Hot Singles In Your Area
“Nesseth combines savvy science writing with a deep love of horror movies, resulting in something both scholarly and eminently readable. Even horror aficionados may stumble across an unfamiliar title she cites.” —Library Journal
“Educational, thought-provoking, and just plain fun….Readers who love horror, regardless of format, will eagerly seek out this title, but it is also a great suggestion for fans of Mary Roach or Grady Hendrix’s Paperbacks from Hell (2017).” —Booklist
“A fantastically inclusive exploration of the genre.” —Tor.com
“As compelling as it is instructive, Nightmare Fuel is a unique and vital addition to the bookcase of any genre film lover. Nesseth expertly guides readers through the dim and tangled corridors of the human brain in an accessible and engaging journey…. I couldn’t put it down.” —Valeska Griffiths, founder of anatomyofascream.com & co-editor of Scared Sacred: Idolatry, Religion and Worship in the Horror Film
“Like a lab coat-clad wizard with the most factually potent of powers, Nesseth pulls back the dark velvet curtain separating the science from the scares. Expertly researched and beautifully written, Nightmare Fuel is an absolute must-read.” —Rachel Reeves, Horror Journalist