The Frighteners by Reverend Peter Laws is a fascinating, insightful and often hilarious look at why we are drawn to things dark and macabre. The self-proclaimed “sinister minister” has had a lifelong obsession with horror and didn’t lose his love of it when he moved from scornful atheist to Christian minister – though he tried very hard to leave that love buried in the days of his misspent youth.

A lot of this book focuses on the psychology behind why we love dark and frightening stories both in the present and through historic folklore. That analysis is expertly mixed with stories of the author’s horror adventures (and misadventures in some cases). This not only allows the reader to connect with the author but also brings a sense of excitement to each story, as he is as honest with the disappointing refusal of a werewolf to show up when being hunted as he is with the thrilling zombie hunt he went on.

The real gold in this book, though, is Laws insights into the expert opinions of why we like scary things. He picks apart the psychological studies he cites and humanizes them. He looks at possible benefits of exorcism such as taking away the stigma of mental illness, which allows a person to reenter society without some of the consequences they might otherwise face.

He provides a respectful and insightful depiction of the furry community to allow the reader a greater understanding of the motivations of the people that live that lifestyle. His depiction of visiting a morgue is told with sensitivity, reverence and an honest examination of his own emotions during and after the experience. These stories are complex and Laws tells them with a nuance that makes you feel like you are having a fascinating conversation with a good friend over a beer at the pub.

The author covers so much in the book from murderbilia to play violence to cannibalism to ghosts, I couldn’t list them all here, but suffice it to say he leaves very few, if any, stones unturned.

The overarching arc of his lifetime relationship with horror makes this all the more relatable. After all, it is one of the oldest stories in the book. Boy meets horror. Boy falls in love with horror. Boy loses horror. But in a satisfying end to this love story (and to the benefit of all who read it), boy finds horror again.