The Demonologist by Gerald Brittle (1980)

Story: 9 of 10 Stars

Gerald Brittle’s The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren is a gripping dive into the world of paranormal investigation, told through the real-life experiences of one of the most well-known husband-and-wife teams in the field. With a strong narrative voice and a unique interview-style format, Brittle captures the unsettling, chilling nature of the Warrens’ most famous cases—while also managing to educate readers on the theology and thought behind their work.

What really stands out in this book is the tone. Brittle writes with a voice that feels both authoritative and accessible, giving you the sense that you're sitting in on a series of intense, late-night conversations. Unlike many books told in interview form, the pacing here never drags. Every story feels purposeful, each one building on the last, and some moments genuinely gave me chills—like a well-crafted horror novel, only this time, the author insists it’s all true.

Beyond the scares, the book is impressively informative. It explores the Warrens' views on demonology, the supernatural, and the role of faith with surprising depth, without ever losing the reader in heavy theology. Instead, it draws you in further, leaving you wanting more—more details, more stories, and more insight into the strange and terrifying world the Warrens lived in.

Overall, I’d give The Demonologist a solid 9 out of 10. It’s a must-read for fans of the paranormal, and even for skeptics, it’s a fascinating cultural artifact that captures the dark allure of the unexplained. After finishing it, I found myself itching to explore more of the individual cases the Warrens investigated—and that’s always a sign of a book that did its job well.

I’m Rae Serbeck, I Read and Review all Books Large and Small!