Hell Minus One: My Story of Deliverance From Satanic Ritual Abuse and My Journey to Freedom by Anne A. Johnson Davis

by Anne A. Johnson Davis

When Anne A Johnson Davis was just three years old, her mother and stepfather began to physically, sexually and mentally torture her-in the name of Satan. Until she ran away from home at 17, her parents and other cult members subjected her to satanic ritual abuse (SRA), a criminally inhumane and bizarre form of devil worship. In the middle of the night, Anne would be drugged and forced to endure hours of ritualistic torture as a symbolic sacrifice. The horrors she experienced, the miracles that made it possible for her to survive, and the hard choices she made as an adult to triumph over her past, are revealed in her new book, Hell Minus My Story of Deliverance from Satanic Ritual Abuse and My Journey to Freedom. Hell Minus One is an unforgettable and moving story that takes the reader to the depths of human depravity, and to the heavens of human will and forgiveness. The foreword was written by Lt. Detective Matt Jacobson, who was the lead investigator with the Utah Attorney General's Office on Anne's case. Anne's story is different from other previously published memoirs by victims of SRA. Instead of distressing, heart-breaking accounts without collaborative or corroborative evidence, Anne's story is fully and responsibly documented. Her parents confessed their atrocities-both in writing and verbally-to clergymen, and to detectives from the Utah Attorney General's Office. Anne's suppressed memories, which erupted when she was in her mid-30s, were fully substantiated by her mother and stepfather.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, True Crime, Cults, Conspiracy Theories, Biography, Mental Health

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jen]

I know the author well and was looking forward to her releasing this book for a long time. I knew some of her story from what she told me herself, but the way she is able to put it down on paper is amazing.

She not only tells of the horrors of Satanic ritual abuse but shows how she was able to overcome its effects and triumph despite it.

I know that there are probably many readers who wouldn't even want to begin to read this because of the unpleasant subject matter. However, Anne's ability to stay positive and spiritual while describing even the most horrific ordeals makes this not only readable but even inspiring.

I would highly recommend this book and wouldn't mind my daughters reading it when they are 15 or so...

[Smartnews]

This book was incredible. Anne got signed verified confessions of satanic ritual abuse from her parents. They confessed both in writing and verbally. She has a great website, too at http://www.hellminusone.com/

We have more information on her book at http://ritualabuse.us/ritualabuse/sur...

[Jen]

My friend visit teaches the author of this book. It is non fiction. I cried while reading it. At first I wasn't going to read it because it is about escaping from Satanic Abuse. Her story is amazing!

[Roseanne Wilkins]

If this isn't on your reading list, it should be. It follows the life of Anne Johnson Davis, the victim of horrendous satanic ritual abuse (SRA) and how she overcame her past to live a vibrant, full life. It has scenes that are disturbing, but they are shared so that the reader can understand that no matter how horrible the abuse is, healing is possible.

[Rachell L Dodson III]

Painfully Educational About SRA

Like many books of this nature, this book was painfully informative and educational about the very real crimes of Ritual Abuse and the stories and memories of the survivors. In my view, anyone that feels passionate about the protection and care of children, the most innocent and vulnerable among us, should take the time to educate themselves on this subject or similar ones. As it always has been, it is our children that will be one day guiding the future. Therefore, it is of immense importance that they have all the support, love, and tools they need in order to be fully healed, compassionate, and self actualized in their journey. For many children, due to the practice of secrecy, denial, and very real threats and attacks, they are silenced, suffering in loneliness and darkness from the harrowing effects of horrific abuse at the hands of soulless adults. Allowing those abused survivors a voice, belief in their experiences, and the support they need in order to share their stories and engage in the therapies needed for their healing is the most compassionate thing a human can do for another human.
As more stories like Anne’s begin to surface and come to light, and more people are tried and convicted for such atrocities against these defenseless children, I feel books and stories such as Anne’s need to heard in order to foster understanding and offer the compassion and support that is so truly needed for these survivors. Humanity... this is the wake up call... please respond with compassion.

[Amanda]

Good but very disturbing. If you can't handle reading about child abuse this is not the book for you. I deal with child abuse on a daily basis and this book took me 5 months to read because I had to keep putting it down to get the images out of my head. But if you can make it through the first half the second half isn't nearly as disturbing.

[brandi]

Amazing

So well written. So amazing that she is still able to keep her faith after whAt she's been through. She is truly an inspiration. This was tastefully written, even while the subject matter was sometimes very touchy. She was able to describe some of the horrible abominations that She was forced to endure with a degree of nobility and strength.

[Patricia Kaniasty]

This book was very disappointing. I thought it was about a child who had been through ritual abuse and her healing. The story primarily focused on a woman who was with the LDS religion. This was a VERY religious book which held no interest for me. I was hoping for a little more psychology.

[Sarah Westhora]

I am new to goodreads as of this year and so "catching up" on rating books I've read. Usually only those books that made a strong impression on me do I feel confident in rating (either for good or for ill) and my ratings are generally based upon my own subjective feelings of the book and not necessarily scholarly merits (did I enjoy the book or not, would I recommend it or not, would I read it again or not.) HOWEVER, this book is a lot more complicated. I never want to read it again and wouldn't say that I enjoyed reading it. But I am glad I read it.

The title "Hell Minus One" intrigued me from the moment I saw it in the publisher's house in Tooele, Utah. As a Christian myself, I believe any book that is "virtuous, lovely, of good report & praiseworthy" should be sought after. And the title struck a chord deep within my soul. But the content of "Satanic Ritual Abuse" made me wonder if this book would in fact bring me closer to God or farther away, and I wondered if I could even stomach the content. I'm very sensitive regarding any type of abuse to people and anything living, including animals. I eventually decided after staring at it time and again and feeling this pull of sorts to buy it and read it.

A difficult read that I would not recommend unless an adult & you know what you are about to get into - some of the content is so very sad and "hellacious." But this book is written by a woman who actually lived through these atrocities. A story of suffering, of healing & ultimately of triumph. A book that strengthened my belief that God will send angels - especially in our deepest moments of despair. And a book about what real evil looks like (thus why I would choose not to read it again). It's a lot to know. My greatest respect to this brave author, Anne A. Johnson Davis. I thank her for sharing not only what she went through but how she overcame. This is a raw, real read that I recommend for anyone who is suffering with abuse or knows someone who is. This is the true story of how depraved people can really be, but also of how a soul can heal from and overcome the most heinous of horrors.

[Karen Bullock]

Mindblowing

A severely traumatizing story about the religious practices of closet Satanists operating under the guise of LDS church members.
Heartbreaking to read and absorb the torture that these parents inflicted on their small daughter at the tender age of 3, and continuing with extreme criminal acts throughout the remainder of her childhood.
The audacity these adults had to carry on outside of these practices as normal, law abiding citizens will make your stomach cramp.
How ever did Anne manage to survive?
This is her incredibly dark story of countless abuse by the hands of those who were supposed to love and protect her.
Truly gut-wrenching; story does end on a lighter side.
This not for the faint of heart.

[Carla Golden]

Anne Johnson Davis grew up with a mother and stepfather who were Mormons and also members of a satanic cult. She was raped, tortured and survived, thanks to her faith. Unlike other victims of abuse, Anne's perpetrators actually confessed to their crimes. Her story is inspiring and Anne is incredibly brave.

[Christina Cox]

Amazing and heartbreaking

This womans story is not only heartbreaking and at times left me crying, but its amazing in how she has gained strength. This woman is a beacon of light and hope among a world that can be so cold. I have questions left unanswered but I am thankful she was able to heal and thats the main point. May blessings continue to follow her.

[Danette Schmidt]

Amazing story.....

Thank you for writing this book.
I cannot fathom the sickening perverse things you were subject to.

It makes my heart sick to think of the poor animals also.
I have nothing but pure loathing for your parents.
So sad to hear about Bruce also.
You are a true warrior!🌟

[Madeline Lastname]

Amazing

It was an amazing book! I wish people would take her writing more seriously because she has confessions of her abusers, so the SRA survivors would be viewed as legitimate instead of deranged.

[Bridget Holbert]

Far out

When I first began reading this, I didn’t believe it was true. I thought the author was mistaken about her memories until I kept reading. This book is interesting until the last part where the author and her husband go and meet with her father’s side of her family.

[Rose]

This was such an eye-opening book. Anne is so strong to write all this, and it's amazing that her parents fessed up to what they did. Amazing story.

There are definitely some really disturbing things in this book.

[Gia]

A book that could have been torn out of today's headlines. This non fiction book filled with horrific stories of child abuse and satanic worshipping left me with more questions than answers. It left me asking myself over and over again how could any child have lived through this.

[Janet L]

Stunning

Loved this book from cover to cover. Anne shares painful memories and how she recovered. A book you will feel sick over but hopeful at the same time. A definite must.

[jadyn (jaysbookshelf_)]

Tough and disturbing story

This story was extremely disturbing to read about but Anne’s faith and strength, even as a little girl, is inspiring. The Holy Spirit really can heal us and God truly has a plan even through our darkest despairs

[Jane Doe]

I found this to be a very powerful story of faith as well as a retelling of a satanic ritual abuse survivor.

Very very powerful…. I related heavily to parts about the meeting of the family.

[Miss Irene]

Read Mary Lou Lakes book instead.

[Charles Satchwell]

The only book on SRA that I have ever read in which the people responsible actually confessed.

[lance VanTine]

Amazing Read

This was an incredibly detailed story that sheds much light on SRA and its after effects on victims. I definitely recommend!

[Jon Den Houter]

Having read both To Hell with Sarah and Hell Minus One recently, I can't help but compare them. Although they are both about Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA), they couldn't be more different. Perhaps a simple list will illustrate what I mean.

1.In To Hell with Sarah, Sarah seeks to overcome the trauma of past SRA through the help of a deliverance (exorcism) minister named Jess Parker. In Hell Minus One, Anne Davis seeks to overcome the trauma of past SRA through the help of a psychologist named Sterling Ellsworth.

2. In To Hell with Sarah, Sarah is treated through exorcism; Pastor Jess Parker addresses the demons within Sarah and casts them out. In Hell Minus One, Anne Davis is treated though psychotherapy; Dr. Ellsworth encourages Anne to let her rage out for what was done to her as a form of catharsis.

3. In To Hell with Sarah, Sarah's problem is seen to be the continual torment from demons who entered her during the abuse she experienced as a child. In Hell Minus One, Anne Davis' problem is seen to be residual effects of trauma she experienced from her childhood abuse. Many who experience SRA as a child develop multiple personality disorder, Anne writes, but fortunately she did not. A quote from To Hell with Sarah is instructive here:

There are many Christian counselors who believe an alter is simply a splintered fragment of the mind resulting from the trauma and that the solution is to reunite these fragments with the original personality.... Others, myself included, are firmly convinced that the alter-personality is nothing more than a demon...(170)

4. In To Hell with Sarah, SR abusers inserted wires into Sarah's body—into her womb, neck, and spine—when she was a child in order to provide "entry points to allow demons to enter and leave the body freely without having to pass through the soul which requires the person to first create a door through negative emotions" (148). In Hell Minus One, SR abusers inserted a wire up into Anne Davis' cervix, but then withdrew it.

5. In To Hell with Sarah, Jess Parker removes the wires still implanted in Sarah's body by casting out demons (though once these implants started coming out, they continued to come out without any further intervention; Parker writes, "It was as if God said 'Time to go,' and they left" (144). In Hell Minus One, an ObGyn doctor noticed during a routine examination that Anne Davis' cervix was "heavily scarred" and asked Anne if she had experienced any trauma (106). (At that time she didn't think she had; she didn't remember at that point the satanic rituals of her childhood when she was abused by her mom, stepdad, and others in black robes.) The doctor performed cryosurgery to remove the scar tissue from Anne's cervix.

There is much more I could say, but this should be sufficient to show the stark difference between these two books' worldviews. I myself don't know which book is correct—probably, as with most things in life, the truth is somewhere in the middle. I am somewhat suspect of the Anne Davis' worldview because she is a Mormon. In addition, due to my respect for the late Christian minister Derek Prince, who often drove out demons from people, I think the worldview of To Hell with Sarah is more accurate. That said, I definitely do not agree with To Hell with Sarah's worldview wholeheartedly. There are things in that book that are downright ridiculous. For example, Parker writes on page 137, "As hard as it is to believe, the family [that performed SRA on Sarah] performed magic rituals that changed [the family pendant] from solid to liquid. It was then put in her food and after she had eaten it, they performed more rituals to move it into her womb and transform the pendant back into its original solid form."

In the end, these two books raise more questions than they answer. Perhaps my biggest question is this: Why would any human purposely try to worship Satan or partner with demons? To me, to do so is like cheering for the losing Superbowl team after the game is over, after the crowd is gone, and after the stadium lights have been turned off.

[Emily]

@ neither. 5/20/09

[Bob Johnson]

One Brave Girl All Grown Up

A moving and engrossing true life story. Thanks to the author for her honesty and hope. She is an inspiration to all who have suffered.