Devil in the Delta: A Ghost Hunter's Most Terrifying Case ... to Date

by Rich Newman

A television that shoots fire. Objects flying through the air.  A demonic possession. A ghost hunter’s worst nightmare. When author Rich Newman first arrives at the battered doublewide trailer deep in the Mississippi Delta, it’s clear that this is no ordinary haunting. Called from Memphis to assist a local ghost hunting team, Newman’s investigation of the Martin house has become his most terrifying and mysterious case to date. What starts out as a malicious assault quickly spirals into a story of obsession, possession, witchcraft, and murder. When the evidence becomes overwhelming, long-buried memories from Newman’s past come back to haunt him―memories he’d rather forget. Collecting physical evidence, researching the violent history of the property, and interviewing the world’s most famous demonologists, Newman’s investigation of the Martin house plunges him into the darkest depths of the unknown.

Genres: Nonfiction, Ghosts, Paranormal

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2013

Reviews

[Majanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-rev...

Devil in the Delta was a confusing read for me. On the one hand, I kind of liked the author’s scientific approach, armed with cam recorders and voice recorders and how he’s not overly fond of psychics. He appears analytical and rational, the kind of ghost hunter who I wouldn’t mind inviting into my house if the other side went haywire. If this is Rich Newman’s most terrifying case to date, then I’m actually glad for him, because to me it didn’t sound all that terrifying. All right, some parts of it were enough to give me shivers, but it’s pretty tame all through-out.

Then there were parts of the book that thoroughly dissapointed me. For one, the house didn’t have such a violent past as the blurb made me believe. Secondly, the accusations of witchcraft and demonic possession. It’s obvious from the get-go that the trailer’s inhabitants are after some cash, and it makes their entire story a lot less believable, but thank God the author caught this. However, he jumps to demonic possession rather fast, and also to the witchcraft thing. It’s not because they were storing some items that look like they could be used in witchcraft that anyone was actually practising witchcraft on the premise, and even if they were, that doesn’t instantly mean they invited something evil into their house. It’s these thought-jumps, drawing conclusions where there shouldn’t have been any, that made me wary of this book.

All in all, the writing was good, straightforward, and for the most part the author appears as level-headed and rational and not someone who’s convinced the slightest breeze is a ghost. On the other hand, he draws conclusions fast, blaming demons for everything that remotely goes wrong, and this didn’t work in his favor. An enjoyable read, but the synopsis makes it sound a lot scarier than it is.

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is definitely more about the authors experinces then the haunted house in Mississippi. Not a bad thing mind you- just not what I expected when I bought the book for my October creepy reads. I will say I found myself nodding along with so many things he said not to mention FINALLY someone who says- proof of substance abuse? These folks may not be the most reliable witnesses. I find it so frustrating in 'true haunting' books when they reveal drug or alcohol abuse but insist it in no way influences their experiences!
At any rate! This is a quick interesting read but not so much about the haunting itself.

[Stefani Robinson]

Once you get to "it's something evil to do with witchcraft!!!!" and call it non-ficion then you lose ALL credibility with me. As someone who practices paganism for many years, it's offensive and tells me the person who said/wrote it has no fucking idea what they're talking about.

[Belle Meri · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very misleading book that claims to be about an investigation into a haunted house in the Mississippi Delta. The book is more a series of reminiscences by the author about his childhood, his attitude regarding the vast majority of paranormal investigators - who he looks down upon since they apparently aren't scientific enough to suit him - and occasional mentions of this supposedly haunted house which nearly anyone could tell from the first few pages likely wasn't haunted at all expect in the heads of the residents. I can't recommend this book to anyone.

[Anabella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Misleading.

Too many references to the author's personal experiences as a boy and goes off topic to discuss other places he's visited that were haunted.

Over use of the explanation point. They are littered in the entire book.

[D.l. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure how this is the most terrifying case unless the home owner having meth in the house is what the title is about.

Nice details on how the author runs an investigation. Feel like there should have been an insistence for more information before he drove seven hours to visit a crack house

[Jenn Wood · Rating 1 out of 5]

I marked this as “finished reading” because I’ve had enough, not because I’ll ever finish reading it. It’s like reading an episode of Ghost Hunters.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally featured on Bookluvrs Haven.

As someone that not only is utterly fascinated with the paranormal, but also pretty creeped out by it, requesting ‘Devil in the Delta’ to read from Netgalley was a no brainer. Before the slew of paranormal tv shows filled up my PVR box time, I was picking up every ghost hunting book I could get my hands on.

At one point in time, I even considered a friend’s invitation to join his paranormal research and investigation group here in Toronto, but I have to admit that I am too much of a chicken shit to face any potential activity face to face. I already find myself shivering under the covers almost every time I watch an episode of Ghost Adventures.

This novel was very interesting, and reads more like a ghost hunter’s ‘How To’ or more accurately, “What We Do”. Written by a member of Paranormal Inc., he not only accounts one of his most unforgettable cases, but also the events that led to his fascination with obtaining evidence of life after death – his own experiences in his childhood home. You get some snippets of other memorable investigations, but this book centers around the Martin Residence primarily. The novel itself, though detailing true accounts of evidence, experiences and interviews of this case, is not really that scary. I got the distinct impression that it wasn’t his intent to scare his audience either, but more to educate the reader on the realities of paranormal investigation.

I admit that I was hopeful for some hair-raising moments when I started reading this novel, and was a tad disappointed that I didn’t get what I hoped for. In fact, immediately after ending this book, I watched an episode of Ghost Adventures to get that thrill.

That being said, do not dismiss this novel because it may not have given me the creeps. If you are interested or fascinated by the paranormal, this book was still very entertaining and raised some very good questions and gives you very good information. As well as a good insight into what investigating the paranormal is all about. Mainly, a whole lot of boredom, with the rare burst of adrenaline when you do encounter something that may not be easily explained.

It is, and has always been, a very fascinating field for me, and I am sure a lot of people. The author ends this book with links to his website (Paranormal Inc.) with promises of links to the EVPs that he discusses in the book, as well as links to other cases his group has worked on. I guarantee you that I will be spending a couple of afternoons scaring myself with goodies off his site.

I say afternoon, because I really am a little chicken shit. I won’t be doing that at night. LOL

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked it up, I figured it would the typical ghost story. Sensationalized, overhyped, the kind we all read now and then when we want to give ourselves the willies. Despite the set up (the cover, the opening blurb) it turned out to be a witty tromp through a case that showed what is really done, and how much bunk really makes it on screen. Right from the start, the author is rather humble. Some start out giving you a laundry list of their abilities, how wonderful they are, how kind of them to share their experiences with the little people of the humdrum world. This book? Not a sign. Few book plugs (not obnoxious, but they are even joked about) and previous experience is related. No sensing, no spiritual guidance from some 2,000 dried up stick, and no airs. Very much enjoyed this, even if it wasn't what I was expecting (it was better).

[Laura Pafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy, fast read. The author wrote this book in simple language that I found enjoyable . I liked the organization of the subject matter- ghost hunting and an investigation. Newman is a skeptic; he's not quick to jump to extraordinary conclusions. At the same time, he's obviously well versed in paranormal investigations. This leads to a logical, yet still open minded approach to what he sees and the conclusions he draws. It was a spooky and infectious read. The case involved less desirable characters whose integrity is obviously suspect, but that didn't cause me to stop reading. Will it change your life? No- but it will provide some fun, thought provoking entertainment.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say this is the most interesting and most informative of the "true paranormal" books I have recently read. I appreciate the author's attention to detail, and explanation of his investigative techniques. The author also included his website information to provide access to some of the evidence collected during the investigation.

[Deborah C.]

I really did not like the approach nor casual writing style. I feel there is a lot of supporting research in this field that could have been done by this writer in preparation for his book. His opinions are broad.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty much crappy read. no ghosts boo real resolution. just a this is how we do it and are better than other teams

[Krys]

boring

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hilarious! If only it were better written and less repetitive.