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The Exorcist Files: True Stories About the Reality of Evil and How to Defeat It
From a Catholic priest and co-host of The Exorcist Files podcast, this book takes a deep dive into the insidious ways the Devil attempts to gain control over us, and how we can defeat this evil.
In this pioneering book for believers, nonbelievers, and anyone curious about the supernatural, renowned exorcist Father Carlos Martins shares his real-life case files of exorcism.
From witchcraft and pagan practices to pornography and even emotional trauma, evil looks for any opening into our lives with the purpose of causing us pain and destruction. The Exorcist Files uncovers the 2,000-year-old Catholic ministry of exorcism that equips Father Carlos with discernment for identifying evil. But first he partners with psychologists and doctors to differentiate mental and physical illness from demon possession.
Differentiating myths from the reality of evil, Father Carlos teaches us how to protect ourselves against evil–and, ultimately, to defeat it so that we remain in the safety of God.
In this pioneering book for believers, nonbelievers, and anyone curious about the supernatural, renowned exorcist Father Carlos Martins shares his real-life case files of exorcism.
From witchcraft and pagan practices to pornography and even emotional trauma, evil looks for any opening into our lives with the purpose of causing us pain and destruction. The Exorcist Files uncovers the 2,000-year-old Catholic ministry of exorcism that equips Father Carlos with discernment for identifying evil. But first he partners with psychologists and doctors to differentiate mental and physical illness from demon possession.
Differentiating myths from the reality of evil, Father Carlos teaches us how to protect ourselves against evil–and, ultimately, to defeat it so that we remain in the safety of God.
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Published November 19, 2024
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About the author
Father Carlos Martins
2 books20 followersFather Carlos Martins is a leading exorcist of the Catholic Church. Throughout his two decades of ministry and service, he has helped set people free all over the world. Father Martins also leads Treasures of the Church, a ministry of evangelization of the Catholic Church helping people experience God through encounters with Relics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 7, 2024
Fr. Martins book expounds on things brought up on the great podcast of the same name. He has laid out, simply, but in depth, the ranges of demonic influence and exactly how one is drawn into that.
So many people are wrapped up in things that open one up to the demonic and they have no clue. In today's pagan world, even when these things are pointed out, people choose not to believe, until they are affected in a manner they can not deny.
Fr. Martins has a way of writing exactly as he talks and his knowledge is very much appreciated. Many non-Christians are not interested in hearing about Jesus, yet so many seem to be interested in exorcisms and the working of the Church in that area. That is good, maybe they will read this book and their eyes will be opened.
One of the things I really like about Fr. Martins is his total dedication to giving all glory to the Lord God. No doubts about the power of God and how the Lord uses priests to bring that power to play in these situations.
I highly recommend this book AND I would like to thank NetGalley and FaithWords for the early reading opportunity.
So many people are wrapped up in things that open one up to the demonic and they have no clue. In today's pagan world, even when these things are pointed out, people choose not to believe, until they are affected in a manner they can not deny.
Fr. Martins has a way of writing exactly as he talks and his knowledge is very much appreciated. Many non-Christians are not interested in hearing about Jesus, yet so many seem to be interested in exorcisms and the working of the Church in that area. That is good, maybe they will read this book and their eyes will be opened.
One of the things I really like about Fr. Martins is his total dedication to giving all glory to the Lord God. No doubts about the power of God and how the Lord uses priests to bring that power to play in these situations.
I highly recommend this book AND I would like to thank NetGalley and FaithWords for the early reading opportunity.
January 3, 2025
i typically wouldn’t read anything related to this content (literally for so many reasons this book talks about), but after seeing how many religious leaders backed and verified this book, i decided to give it a go.
i felt this aided my dark tourism research, especially as it relates to paranormal. i did not know catholics believe in ghosts! i also did not know priests basically just get assigned to be exorcists.
this is a solid read following the verse that states that our battle is not one of flesh and blood. i really appreciate the indepth analysis of mental / physical health and subsequent professional medical treatment always being the first and foremost solution and investigation for a person in severe distress.
i would say that this book definitely reads like a religious textbook with stories woven in and out, so if you are just searching for ‘scary’ stories without specifically catholic analysis, you might not enjoy it. despite being protestant, i found most of the beliefs understandable and transferable.
while i’m assuming this was written for people with a more than general understanding of catholicism, i think more history would’ve been beneficial. i was curious where the exorcist-ic language came from, why and how catholics create relics (especially objects that end up being x amount of objects detached from the original), and where the intercession of martyrs came from.
ultimately, this verse is one to bring with you - “what shall we then say to these things? if God be for us, who can be against us?”
i felt this aided my dark tourism research, especially as it relates to paranormal. i did not know catholics believe in ghosts! i also did not know priests basically just get assigned to be exorcists.
this is a solid read following the verse that states that our battle is not one of flesh and blood. i really appreciate the indepth analysis of mental / physical health and subsequent professional medical treatment always being the first and foremost solution and investigation for a person in severe distress.
i would say that this book definitely reads like a religious textbook with stories woven in and out, so if you are just searching for ‘scary’ stories without specifically catholic analysis, you might not enjoy it. despite being protestant, i found most of the beliefs understandable and transferable.
while i’m assuming this was written for people with a more than general understanding of catholicism, i think more history would’ve been beneficial. i was curious where the exorcist-ic language came from, why and how catholics create relics (especially objects that end up being x amount of objects detached from the original), and where the intercession of martyrs came from.
ultimately, this verse is one to bring with you - “what shall we then say to these things? if God be for us, who can be against us?”
December 26, 2025
i admit i was expecting more stories about exorcisms Father Carlos had performed and less preachy, propagandistic prose 🤡
i appreciated the look into the ritual of exorcism, how it works, what backs it up, but... the rest? wow
fyi extensive research has found absolutely no evidence of organised satanic worship groups that have ever engaged in human sacrifice or ritual murder ✌️
also, the gays are actually okay, they're not immoral 🫠
also also, abortion is not a product of "the modern desire for sex without responsibility" like be so for real 🤡
i appreciated the look into the ritual of exorcism, how it works, what backs it up, but... the rest? wow
fyi extensive research has found absolutely no evidence of organised satanic worship groups that have ever engaged in human sacrifice or ritual murder ✌️
also, the gays are actually okay, they're not immoral 🫠
also also, abortion is not a product of "the modern desire for sex without responsibility" like be so for real 🤡
November 14, 2024
Alright, so this book is like a backstage pass into a real-life exorcist and the whole fight against evil, with Father Carlos sharing some intense stories from his files. It’s fascinating and spooky, and you can tell he knows his stuff. He's is all about breaking down how evil sneaks into our lives. It’s a little terrifying but also kind of fascinating in a “maybe I need to keep my salt and holy water closer” kinda way, ya know?
It’s an interesting read if you’re curious about the real deal on exorcisms. Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
It’s an interesting read if you’re curious about the real deal on exorcisms. Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 2, 2026
Not too sure what to make of this book. I'll just split it up between some of the positives and the negatives.
Positives:
- I think Martins does a great job introducing the realms of exorcisms and demonology to the reader, along with using Scripture to support the things he says and the actions he administers. The book is pretty all-inclusive, it ranges from characteristics of angels/demons, prayers that he recites as an exorcist, plenty of anecdotes and stories, witchcraft, the occult, freemasonry, Satanism, sexual activity, and others.
One thing that was fun to learn was how Catholics understand ghosts. Apparently, it's possible to find ghosts who are in the purgatory phase, you can find a damned ghost somehow, and you can find demons pretending to be these ghosts.
- Martins highly stresses the use of modern science and does not assume a phenomenon is demonic. "Exorcists begin with the presumption that the behavioral phenomena they observe are likely rooted in natural causes. ... We employ the services of medical staff and psychological experts to understand and diagnose the source of a subject's behavior" (p. 11). That said, Martins does cite the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5-TR) to show what a modern, secular scientific body says regarding possession:
1. "Possession-form identities in dissociative identity disorder typically manifest behaviorally as if a “spirit,” supernatural being, or outside person has taken control, with the individual speaking or acting in a distinctly different manner." Full quote on page 332.
2. On page 337, dissociative amnesia is given diagnostic criteria, two of which state that this amnesia occurs not due to the effects of substances nor are attributed to other disorders, such as PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, etc.
Of course, the DSM does not directly attribute these phenomena to spiritual evil, but Martins uses this citation to show precedence, and that science and exorcism work together to help victims - that they are not at odds.
- Providing an awareness of what occultists, Satanists, and other groups get up to. Supernaturalism aside, the crimes that these people commit and the way that they abuse and murder people, women and babies especially, is truly heinous and was the most disturbing part of the book for me.
- In general, you get the sense that Martins knows what he's talking about. He knows the protocols, he always considers the wellbeing of his clients, he knows the theology, and he knows how to document his methodologies. You can tell he is seasoned and experienced.
Negatives:
- While I understand that Martins will alter names, places, and other details in his stories to protect the victims' identities, I still find myself skeptical of some of his accounts. Some of the dialogue recorded by these demons are just cartoonishly goofy. It's like if you worked up a middle school boy and he started verbally assaulting you, that's how some of these demons are portrayed.
In one of the stories, a group of teenagers was communicating with a demon via Ouija Board: "They began asking Stevie the most obscure questions- 'Who played shortstop for the 1932 Red Sox?' 'What is the circumference of Neptune?' 'What is 456,546 x 870,872?' and the planchette spelled out the answer immediately" (p. 161). I'm sorry dude but modern teenagers are not asking these questions and those numbers in the math question definitely look fabricated. Martins doesn't say exactly how he decides to frame his stories, so I just have to assume that everything he says is exactly how it happened, I guess according to eyewitness testimony?
In another story Martins describes a truck driver being caught in the snare of a witch who ends up restricting his free will. The story is pretty believable from the man's perspective, but the woman is described as this black widow figure who lures these truck drivers in as her prey, and of course we get no details to confirm any of it. It just reminds me of the Greek siren myths...
- To go along with the last point, the book is probably better off being read than being listened to. Martins uses vocabulary and a certain monotonous tone when recounting these stories which do not lend credence to the stories.
- In another story: "The other unexplained symptom was Lena's ability to know when her mother was secretly praying. While it is sometimes possible to accurately guess what someone is thinking, there is no natural way Lena could know all three times the precise moment her mother engaged in silent prayer" (p. 123).
Later, "But one should beware: demons have observed you your whole life. Though they do not have direct access to your thoughts and cannot directly read your mind, the have had access to every observable event in your life" (p. 171).
Hello? This just seems like a blatant contradiction to me. If so, one of these is wrong. In that case, what else is wrong?
- One last thing is just the general Catholic and exorcistic dogma presented. I am a Protestant Christian, and Martins clearly states at the beginning that Protestants would be confused and/or take issue with the Catholic themes present, but I still think it's worth mentioning.
1. The prayers and the timing of the prayers. Many of the prayers Martins recites are extremely exhaustive, and a lot of that is to make sure that the demons can't "legally" avoid retribution by using some loophole, for example if you say "Demon, I cast you out!", since you didn't specify "Now" then he is permitted to stay until some arbitrary future. Along with that, Martins explains that some exorcisms and prayers are more powerful at certain times, such as if a Christian / Catholic holiday is taking place.
Honestly, all of this stuff reads like nonsense to me. God is a personal being who cares for people. You shouldn't need to recite a "150% power buff All Saints Day" prayer to defeat the Level 24 Mafia Boss evil demon.
2. Catholic relics. Won't go into it, but also silly in his portrayal.
TLDR: Good beginner intro to all things exorcism and demonology. Couldn't figure out if the author was totally genuine.
Positives:
- I think Martins does a great job introducing the realms of exorcisms and demonology to the reader, along with using Scripture to support the things he says and the actions he administers. The book is pretty all-inclusive, it ranges from characteristics of angels/demons, prayers that he recites as an exorcist, plenty of anecdotes and stories, witchcraft, the occult, freemasonry, Satanism, sexual activity, and others.
One thing that was fun to learn was how Catholics understand ghosts. Apparently, it's possible to find ghosts who are in the purgatory phase, you can find a damned ghost somehow, and you can find demons pretending to be these ghosts.
- Martins highly stresses the use of modern science and does not assume a phenomenon is demonic. "Exorcists begin with the presumption that the behavioral phenomena they observe are likely rooted in natural causes. ... We employ the services of medical staff and psychological experts to understand and diagnose the source of a subject's behavior" (p. 11). That said, Martins does cite the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5-TR) to show what a modern, secular scientific body says regarding possession:
1. "Possession-form identities in dissociative identity disorder typically manifest behaviorally as if a “spirit,” supernatural being, or outside person has taken control, with the individual speaking or acting in a distinctly different manner." Full quote on page 332.
2. On page 337, dissociative amnesia is given diagnostic criteria, two of which state that this amnesia occurs not due to the effects of substances nor are attributed to other disorders, such as PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, etc.
Of course, the DSM does not directly attribute these phenomena to spiritual evil, but Martins uses this citation to show precedence, and that science and exorcism work together to help victims - that they are not at odds.
- Providing an awareness of what occultists, Satanists, and other groups get up to. Supernaturalism aside, the crimes that these people commit and the way that they abuse and murder people, women and babies especially, is truly heinous and was the most disturbing part of the book for me.
- In general, you get the sense that Martins knows what he's talking about. He knows the protocols, he always considers the wellbeing of his clients, he knows the theology, and he knows how to document his methodologies. You can tell he is seasoned and experienced.
Negatives:
- While I understand that Martins will alter names, places, and other details in his stories to protect the victims' identities, I still find myself skeptical of some of his accounts. Some of the dialogue recorded by these demons are just cartoonishly goofy. It's like if you worked up a middle school boy and he started verbally assaulting you, that's how some of these demons are portrayed.
In one of the stories, a group of teenagers was communicating with a demon via Ouija Board: "They began asking Stevie the most obscure questions- 'Who played shortstop for the 1932 Red Sox?' 'What is the circumference of Neptune?' 'What is 456,546 x 870,872?' and the planchette spelled out the answer immediately" (p. 161). I'm sorry dude but modern teenagers are not asking these questions and those numbers in the math question definitely look fabricated. Martins doesn't say exactly how he decides to frame his stories, so I just have to assume that everything he says is exactly how it happened, I guess according to eyewitness testimony?
In another story Martins describes a truck driver being caught in the snare of a witch who ends up restricting his free will. The story is pretty believable from the man's perspective, but the woman is described as this black widow figure who lures these truck drivers in as her prey, and of course we get no details to confirm any of it. It just reminds me of the Greek siren myths...
- To go along with the last point, the book is probably better off being read than being listened to. Martins uses vocabulary and a certain monotonous tone when recounting these stories which do not lend credence to the stories.
- In another story: "The other unexplained symptom was Lena's ability to know when her mother was secretly praying. While it is sometimes possible to accurately guess what someone is thinking, there is no natural way Lena could know all three times the precise moment her mother engaged in silent prayer" (p. 123).
Later, "But one should beware: demons have observed you your whole life. Though they do not have direct access to your thoughts and cannot directly read your mind, the have had access to every observable event in your life" (p. 171).
Hello? This just seems like a blatant contradiction to me. If so, one of these is wrong. In that case, what else is wrong?
- One last thing is just the general Catholic and exorcistic dogma presented. I am a Protestant Christian, and Martins clearly states at the beginning that Protestants would be confused and/or take issue with the Catholic themes present, but I still think it's worth mentioning.
1. The prayers and the timing of the prayers. Many of the prayers Martins recites are extremely exhaustive, and a lot of that is to make sure that the demons can't "legally" avoid retribution by using some loophole, for example if you say "Demon, I cast you out!", since you didn't specify "Now" then he is permitted to stay until some arbitrary future. Along with that, Martins explains that some exorcisms and prayers are more powerful at certain times, such as if a Christian / Catholic holiday is taking place.
Honestly, all of this stuff reads like nonsense to me. God is a personal being who cares for people. You shouldn't need to recite a "150% power buff All Saints Day" prayer to defeat the Level 24 Mafia Boss evil demon.
2. Catholic relics. Won't go into it, but also silly in his portrayal.
TLDR: Good beginner intro to all things exorcism and demonology. Couldn't figure out if the author was totally genuine.
March 6, 2025
Father Carlos Martins is a Roman Catholic priest and exorcist. I am a subscriber to his podcast “The Exorcist Files”, co-produced with Ryan Bethea. The podcast explores the world of exorcism. It is a well thought and balanced program. While Father Martins is a devout Roman Catholic, Ryan is an acknowledged Protestant. They discuss many issues related to exorcism and other Catholic doctrines. Yet, even Father Martins graciously acknowledges a spiritual kinship with those of Protestant denominational faiths.
Many of the episodes of the podcast are “case files” from exorcisms Martins has either personally performed, been involved with, or has intimate knowledge of from fellow exorcists at other dioceses. In the book, Father Martins mixes in case files(most of which have been either discussed or were the plot of individual podcast episodes), with catechetical teachings of the Catholic Church on various doctrines. He does so in a very relatable and easy to understand manner, even for those unfamiliar with theological concepts, language, and liturgy.
Since I am a listener to the podcast, my opinion may be somewhat influenced. However, had I not ever previously heard of Father Martins, I would still have found this to be a fascinating read.
Many of the episodes of the podcast are “case files” from exorcisms Martins has either personally performed, been involved with, or has intimate knowledge of from fellow exorcists at other dioceses. In the book, Father Martins mixes in case files(most of which have been either discussed or were the plot of individual podcast episodes), with catechetical teachings of the Catholic Church on various doctrines. He does so in a very relatable and easy to understand manner, even for those unfamiliar with theological concepts, language, and liturgy.
Since I am a listener to the podcast, my opinion may be somewhat influenced. However, had I not ever previously heard of Father Martins, I would still have found this to be a fascinating read.
March 19, 2026
An excellent book by a wonderful priest!
November 29, 2024
The Exorcist Files by father Carlos Martins, I read the Kindle version and listen to the audio version narrated by the author. Usually when a book is narrated by the author, it doesn’t turn out so great, but I found father Carlos Martin narration to be so enjoyable despite the horrible subject matter. there’s many things about Catholicism that I found suspect throughout my life and an including ever since I found out there was a sin tax issued by the church, to eat cheese and other crazy things, the church shouldn’t even bother with. having said that when it comes to exorcisms even. back in the medieval times Catholic priest seem to know what they were doing. In this book, father Martin tells us all about his personal experience with Demons. I really enjoyed the one about the vanishing girl and the feline demon, and if all he says is true from hearing him, read the narrative he sounds pretty credible, that must’ve been so very scary. He tells us all about the rules of exorcism what causes demons to attach to people and the origin, story of Satan and his demons. I really found this book not only entertaining but educational and having finished it. I have nothing but respect for father Carlos Martens. I feared because this was written by a priest it would be bogged down and academia and or theology, but he basically educates the reader on his cases and the other things I’ve already mentioned. As I said, his narration was great. The Kindle book was great, but if I had to choose between the two, I would definitely get the audiobook because the one who wrote it is telling the story and that’s always a plus. I really enjoyed the book and totally recommend it to those who like them Macabra and especially nonfiction then you’ll definitely like this book. #NetGalley,#HarshitAudio, #FatherCarlosMartin, #TheExorcistFiles,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2025
I listen to the podcast, The Exorcist Files, which is hosted by Father Martins and Ryan Bethea. One thing I appreciate about both the podcast and the book is that Father Martins doesn’t come off ridiculously preachy. He usually presents things matter of factly to the audience. The book did read a little dry at times for me, which is why I rated it 3* out of 5*. I was hoping the book contained more anecdotes and storytelling similar to the podcast versus the sometimes textbook teachings that were included.
January 30, 2025
Having read a good bit of books about exorcists—not that I have ever elected to do so, but because they’ve often been gifted to me—I have to say that this is by far the best. Martins is theologically solid and genuinely insightful. He avoids any hint of romanticizing demonic activity, instead portraying it as altogether appalling, as it deserves. Ultimately, the book is deeply spiritually edifying, fostering both a greater trust in the structures Christ has given us and a stronger desire for spiritual purity and freedom in His name.
March 27, 2025
This book is a must-read and essential for understanding the importance of faith and the ongoing spiritual battle between God and evil. With profound insights and compelling arguments, it sheds light on the unseen forces at play in our world, urging readers to strengthen their faith and stand firm in truth. A powerful and thought-provoking read that will inspire and challenge believers.
November 21, 2024
I love the exorcist files podcast. I also learned so much from listening to Father Carlos Martins. Listening to his podcast made me realize I really needed to re-look at my Catholic faith. There’s quite a bit he talks about that are “doors” and I personally was never taught about.
The fact these are his truths vs Hollywood fake exorcist stories makes it even more chilling. Like the music box, he talks about that would always play music, but when they went to look further into the box, it was empty. It was just a box. There is no mechanisms making it play. 😳
This reads as a documentary and more history based vs just a fiction demon story. So if you’re looking for that, this isn’t it.
The fact these are his truths vs Hollywood fake exorcist stories makes it even more chilling. Like the music box, he talks about that would always play music, but when they went to look further into the box, it was empty. It was just a box. There is no mechanisms making it play. 😳
This reads as a documentary and more history based vs just a fiction demon story. So if you’re looking for that, this isn’t it.
February 7, 2025
Un libro muy bueno para conocer el obrar del demonio, la importancia de los sacerdotes y sobre como la gracia siempre triunfa. Buenas lecciones sobre demonología y como luchar contra ellos.
March 14, 2025
Fascinating.
January 29, 2025
Wow! This book belongs on the shelf of every single person. So informative, inspiring, and faith building. Thank you Fr. Carlos Martins for opening the curtain the evil one put up around himself to keep us in the dark about how he drags us down. All Praise and Glory be to Christ Jesus our Savior!!
November 22, 2024
Loved this book & may have to check out the author's podcast. This had a little bit of the horror I was after, but also a really honest look at exorcism and demons and I felt like I learned a lot about what the Catholic church teaches on the subject.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinions.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinions.
November 19, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the author/publisher for a copy of this book.
At times I was a bit lost with just how much information there was but overall it was a super interesting book. The stories were creepy and kept you interested in hearing how they were taken care of. The narrator did a great job in my opinion too. I normally wouldn't pick up a book/audiobook like this but it kept me entertained.
At times I was a bit lost with just how much information there was but overall it was a super interesting book. The stories were creepy and kept you interested in hearing how they were taken care of. The narrator did a great job in my opinion too. I normally wouldn't pick up a book/audiobook like this but it kept me entertained.
Read
November 16, 2025only read about 1/4th of the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2024
Where were these stories when I was in church school? As someone from a semi-religious background I have to admit, there are things in here I had never heard before, stories lost or changed during my upbringing. And although I do not necessarily believe or agree with all the concepts/stories mentioned here, it does help piece together answers to questions I had.
The narrator was easy to understand, was able to portray the gravity of what is believed to be true & real, leaving one to at least double check their thoughts & actions. Great read, whether you're seeking religious education or something more for entertainment value.
The narrator was easy to understand, was able to portray the gravity of what is believed to be true & real, leaving one to at least double check their thoughts & actions. Great read, whether you're seeking religious education or something more for entertainment value.
November 21, 2024
I loved the podcast, and I loved the book. Highly recommend.
January 11, 2026
Eh, it’s important to note that while he is a real priest, Father Martins holds no canonical status as an exorcist. I went into this book with a decently high opinion of him because of his reputation, but that opinion has been severely diminished. Firstly, this book is mostly catechetical instruction. I went into this knowing that so it didn’t bother me, but if you’re expecting a bunch of scary stories about demons, go read Blatty’s novel. Honestly, reading the few stories in this book, I seriously doubt most of them even happened, so Blatty’s novel probably has just about the same amount of truth in it. I agree with Fr. Martins that the devil and demons are real, however true possession is rare, and you should avoid anything in your life that would open you up to demonic influence. Overall his message was great up until chapter eight. If you want a good read, close the book after chapter seven. Past that point prepare yourself for some absolutely garbage theological takes that the author admits have no basis in scripture, or even church tradition, and some of the most obviously false stories I’ve ever read. I thought the first seven chapters were great, and if the book ended there I’d bump my review up to four stars, but unfortunately the good Father kept writing.
December 12, 2025
I'm not sure why I picked it or what I expected. Even though I knew the author was a Roman Catholic priest, I hoped his treatment would be more, well, catholicus. It wasn't. Based on this book, the reader might be forgiven for assuming that demonic possession/oppression - and its remedy - is an exclusively Roman Catholic phenomenon. Maybe it's unrealistic to expect the author to take a more ecumenical approach, but I think it would enrich the book. For Protestant readers, this book serves as: 1) an introduction to the Roman Catholic theory and practice of exorcism; 2) a warning about the reality and malice of the devil; and 3) [nota bene] a potential snare to those who are prone to fear or superstition or both.
January 4, 2026
The author bills himself as an "expert on exorcism" and hosts The Exorcist Files podcast. (Note: he is a legit priest but holds no specific canonical authority as an exorcist). Martins emphasizes his desire not to sensationalize demonic possession -- I'd give him a "C" on that objective. The book does have three compelling takeaways: 1) evil is real; 2) true demonic possession is very rare; and 3) and one should never play around with anything that could provide an opening to the devil. Not for everyone, but I found it interesting and though provoking.
December 16, 2024
I’ve been on a long-term quest to deepen my understanding of the Catholic rite of exorcism and its surrounding practices and theology for quite a while now. I’ve read the relevant Biblical passages. I read the rite itself in the Roman Ritual. And of course I’ve read plenty of books on the subject by such noteworthy exorcists as Father Amorth, Father Ripperger, and Monsignor Stephen Rossetti. Each has been informative in its way, but none of them have really ever given me what I was looking for: a detailed look at what actually happens during the exorcism. Some seem to allude to a process that involves relatively serene prayer and others allude to more sensational demonic manifestations, but none have ever really given me the inside look I’ve been hoping for.
This book, though certainly not as detailed in its theology as Ripperger’s books, seems to come the closest. Admittedly, I’m still not entirely satisfied, but it seems the most like a literary description of what the exorcist actually witnesses. For fans of horror stories like me (not that this is a horror story, exactly, despite its subject matter) or even just for those who are looking for a more realistic writing style, Father Martins seems to have given us the best WRITTEN book of the bunch. One of my criticisms of some other exorcists’ stories has been that when they quote the demons, the language used is so “church friendly” that they’re putting swear words in the demons’ mouths that are milder than what the average American uses when speaking to his own mother these days. Not so here. While the worst of the language is censored to preserve Catholic sensibilities, the demons Father Martins quotes speak like what I would expect beings of pure evil to speak like. And the stories are actually presented as stories. Individuals’ names and identities have been concealed, of course, but we get the feeling that we’re getting the entire story, not just a one- or two-sentence summary.
But therein also lies some of my dissatisfaction. The demonic manifestations Father Martins describes are sometimes difficult to believe. To be clear, I’m not accusing the author of lying. Perhaps some of the information that came to the author second-hand could have been exaggerated and maybe there’s room for interpretation on some of them, but I’m not accusing the Father of making things up. But on the other hand, these are the kinds of manifestations that are simply so extraordinary they cannot be accepted without some more direct evidence. That’s not the author’s fault but it does leave the reader somewhat frustrated.
Readers interested in the Church’s theological teachings will find the book reasonably useful if somewhat simplistic in its treatment of complicated issues. But be careful to understand that the book is mostly about the case files themselves, and so the descriptions of more abstract ideas are necessarily somewhat superficial and lack a lot of the key nuance that would be necessary to claim real understanding. For instance, in one place, Father Martins quite rightly condemns the ghost hunting TV shows for meddling in affairs they don’t understand. Fair enough. But at the same time, he ignores that minority of paranormal investigators who do apply a legitimate forensic methodology. Furthermore, his objection to the ghost hunters is simply that they could expose their would-be clients to spiritual evil while ignoring the possibility (far more likely even if one does believe in the supernatural) that they could cause people to apply a supernatural explanation to a perfectly mundane phenomenon. He’s not wrong, exactly, but his discussion lacks nuance. A similar example shows up in a section when he’s discussing ghosts as distressed spirits suffering their Purgatory while wandering the Earth. At one point he cautions that God almost never allows the ghosts to speak, and if at all, only to ask for prayers. On the very same page, he describes a ghost asking for assistance making restitution to someone he wronged in life. I don’t think the Father’s theology is necessarily contradictory here; rather, I think that such a brief description simply fails to capture essential nuances.
And of course there are other places where I don’t happen to agree with some of the author’s points, but that doesn’t make the book necessarily any less valuable. We’re all entitled to our own opinions and one of the reasons I read this book specifically was to encounter the perspective of someone whose experiences are so different from my own.
At the end of the day, I think this is by far the most readable of the popular non-fiction books on exorcism currently on the market. It may lack the theological depth of some others, but it may very well be the best lay introduction to the topic currently available. But at the same time, it still is pretty far from satisfying my own intellectual itch to really understand the practice of exorcism.
This book, though certainly not as detailed in its theology as Ripperger’s books, seems to come the closest. Admittedly, I’m still not entirely satisfied, but it seems the most like a literary description of what the exorcist actually witnesses. For fans of horror stories like me (not that this is a horror story, exactly, despite its subject matter) or even just for those who are looking for a more realistic writing style, Father Martins seems to have given us the best WRITTEN book of the bunch. One of my criticisms of some other exorcists’ stories has been that when they quote the demons, the language used is so “church friendly” that they’re putting swear words in the demons’ mouths that are milder than what the average American uses when speaking to his own mother these days. Not so here. While the worst of the language is censored to preserve Catholic sensibilities, the demons Father Martins quotes speak like what I would expect beings of pure evil to speak like. And the stories are actually presented as stories. Individuals’ names and identities have been concealed, of course, but we get the feeling that we’re getting the entire story, not just a one- or two-sentence summary.
But therein also lies some of my dissatisfaction. The demonic manifestations Father Martins describes are sometimes difficult to believe. To be clear, I’m not accusing the author of lying. Perhaps some of the information that came to the author second-hand could have been exaggerated and maybe there’s room for interpretation on some of them, but I’m not accusing the Father of making things up. But on the other hand, these are the kinds of manifestations that are simply so extraordinary they cannot be accepted without some more direct evidence. That’s not the author’s fault but it does leave the reader somewhat frustrated.
Readers interested in the Church’s theological teachings will find the book reasonably useful if somewhat simplistic in its treatment of complicated issues. But be careful to understand that the book is mostly about the case files themselves, and so the descriptions of more abstract ideas are necessarily somewhat superficial and lack a lot of the key nuance that would be necessary to claim real understanding. For instance, in one place, Father Martins quite rightly condemns the ghost hunting TV shows for meddling in affairs they don’t understand. Fair enough. But at the same time, he ignores that minority of paranormal investigators who do apply a legitimate forensic methodology. Furthermore, his objection to the ghost hunters is simply that they could expose their would-be clients to spiritual evil while ignoring the possibility (far more likely even if one does believe in the supernatural) that they could cause people to apply a supernatural explanation to a perfectly mundane phenomenon. He’s not wrong, exactly, but his discussion lacks nuance. A similar example shows up in a section when he’s discussing ghosts as distressed spirits suffering their Purgatory while wandering the Earth. At one point he cautions that God almost never allows the ghosts to speak, and if at all, only to ask for prayers. On the very same page, he describes a ghost asking for assistance making restitution to someone he wronged in life. I don’t think the Father’s theology is necessarily contradictory here; rather, I think that such a brief description simply fails to capture essential nuances.
And of course there are other places where I don’t happen to agree with some of the author’s points, but that doesn’t make the book necessarily any less valuable. We’re all entitled to our own opinions and one of the reasons I read this book specifically was to encounter the perspective of someone whose experiences are so different from my own.
At the end of the day, I think this is by far the most readable of the popular non-fiction books on exorcism currently on the market. It may lack the theological depth of some others, but it may very well be the best lay introduction to the topic currently available. But at the same time, it still is pretty far from satisfying my own intellectual itch to really understand the practice of exorcism.
October 26, 2024
The Exorcist Files: True Stories About the Reality of Evil and How to Defeat It Kindle Edition
by Father Carlos Martins (Author)
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the complimentary reviewer's copy.
I'm not quite sure for which audience this book was written. It advertises as stories of exorcism, of which there a few, but is in fact a book of religious cathecism. Father Martins is one of the Catholic Church's exorcists, and so one would think he would have fascinating stories to tell. Unfortunately, those he tell are prosaic at best. While we are accustomed to very dramatic exorcisms from both movies (The Exorcist, the Conjuring series, and several others), Father Martins' stories are more like simple “Hi, let's get rid of your Devils. Just say this”.
This book is clearly not for people who read other books about ghosts or exorcisms. The constant sermonizing takes the reader out of the book. It feels more like a very long lecture series for future priests or a very dull PhD thesis.
It also pushes the narrative that has cost many people their sanity and in at least one case, her life. His repetitive Catholicism-based warnings and teaching is the sort of thing that would cost Annaliese Michel her life.
The writing style is very pedantic, and quite annoying.
I can't recommend this for anyone looking for an interesting read or a look into the real work of an exorcist. Nor can I recommend this for students of the occult.
2 stars out of 5
by Father Carlos Martins (Author)
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the complimentary reviewer's copy.
I'm not quite sure for which audience this book was written. It advertises as stories of exorcism, of which there a few, but is in fact a book of religious cathecism. Father Martins is one of the Catholic Church's exorcists, and so one would think he would have fascinating stories to tell. Unfortunately, those he tell are prosaic at best. While we are accustomed to very dramatic exorcisms from both movies (The Exorcist, the Conjuring series, and several others), Father Martins' stories are more like simple “Hi, let's get rid of your Devils. Just say this”.
This book is clearly not for people who read other books about ghosts or exorcisms. The constant sermonizing takes the reader out of the book. It feels more like a very long lecture series for future priests or a very dull PhD thesis.
It also pushes the narrative that has cost many people their sanity and in at least one case, her life. His repetitive Catholicism-based warnings and teaching is the sort of thing that would cost Annaliese Michel her life.
The writing style is very pedantic, and quite annoying.
I can't recommend this for anyone looking for an interesting read or a look into the real work of an exorcist. Nor can I recommend this for students of the occult.
2 stars out of 5
October 8, 2025
The Exorcist Files: True Stories About the Reality of Evil and How to Defeat It by Father Carlos Martins was an insightful read. Having listened to the podcast in which Father Martins relays his battles with the demonic, I knew I would enjoy this book.
On a spiritual level, there is a lot of wisdom in Father Martins’ words. His prayers for deliverance are beautiful, and I found myself wanting to utilize them in my own faith. Not being Catholic, there are times when I disagreed with his theology, but nonetheless, it was still well written. I’m still unconvinced purgatory is real, though Father Martins does explain it in a somewhat convincing manner.
His stories of deliverance against demoniacs are sobering. Whether exorcised quickly or fighting to stay in control, the demons Father Martins engages against are terrifying reminders of sinful, spiritual realities.
In many ways, this book functions as both a reflection on exorcism and a meditation on the weight of deliverance ministry. It’s not a “how-to” guide for engaging with evil, but rather an intimate look into Father Martins’ vocation. While much of the material may feel familiar to listeners of The Exorcist Files podcast, seeing his prayers and reflections in written form adds a new depth and reverence to his work.
On a spiritual level, there is a lot of wisdom in Father Martins’ words. His prayers for deliverance are beautiful, and I found myself wanting to utilize them in my own faith. Not being Catholic, there are times when I disagreed with his theology, but nonetheless, it was still well written. I’m still unconvinced purgatory is real, though Father Martins does explain it in a somewhat convincing manner.
His stories of deliverance against demoniacs are sobering. Whether exorcised quickly or fighting to stay in control, the demons Father Martins engages against are terrifying reminders of sinful, spiritual realities.
In many ways, this book functions as both a reflection on exorcism and a meditation on the weight of deliverance ministry. It’s not a “how-to” guide for engaging with evil, but rather an intimate look into Father Martins’ vocation. While much of the material may feel familiar to listeners of The Exorcist Files podcast, seeing his prayers and reflections in written form adds a new depth and reverence to his work.
March 16, 2025
“If the struggle against evil is a constant part of the human condition, then so is the solution, Jesus Christ.” —last page.
Many Christians refuse to recognize the spiritual warfare going on in our very environment. Is that a problem? I’m not sure. Maybe. Maybe not. Not every Christian is called to a life of constant warring against the adversary. But we all will face some pushback at some point and should be aware of its source. Ephesians 6:12 The soul-sucking lifestyles people engage in today isn’t anything new, but I do think it’s accepted/welcomed/celebrated/promoted to a degree humans haven’t seen in a long, long time. Father Martins is bold enough to tell the truth about living a life that embraces exactly what God warns us against and for that, I applaud him. There’s precious few leaders in the Catholic or Protestant faith that will. Martins goes further to say in his experience of driving out evil, the consequences of broken lifestyles is, for many, a hell on earth. But he also offers a way out. The name of Jesus has great power.
Many Christians refuse to recognize the spiritual warfare going on in our very environment. Is that a problem? I’m not sure. Maybe. Maybe not. Not every Christian is called to a life of constant warring against the adversary. But we all will face some pushback at some point and should be aware of its source. Ephesians 6:12 The soul-sucking lifestyles people engage in today isn’t anything new, but I do think it’s accepted/welcomed/celebrated/promoted to a degree humans haven’t seen in a long, long time. Father Martins is bold enough to tell the truth about living a life that embraces exactly what God warns us against and for that, I applaud him. There’s precious few leaders in the Catholic or Protestant faith that will. Martins goes further to say in his experience of driving out evil, the consequences of broken lifestyles is, for many, a hell on earth. But he also offers a way out. The name of Jesus has great power.
November 21, 2024
It's so funny, one of the two-star reviews says this focuses too much on "education" rather than the "fascinating stories".
YES! That's what makes this book worthy of a 5-star review in my opinion. This book doesn't sensationalize demons, instead it focuses on informing the reader about:
1. The reality of spiritual warfare - that demons actually exist
2. The tools exorcists use against the demons - I found the section on relics particularly interesting.
3. (And most importantly) how to prevent oneself from becoming a victim of the demonic, whatever level that might be.
Sensational stories are worthless if we cannot learn from them, and in my opinion, Fr. Martins has made it very accessible to learn from his experiences and move through life with HOPE in Jesus Christ and not in fear or wonder of the demons who despise us.
YES! That's what makes this book worthy of a 5-star review in my opinion. This book doesn't sensationalize demons, instead it focuses on informing the reader about:
1. The reality of spiritual warfare - that demons actually exist
2. The tools exorcists use against the demons - I found the section on relics particularly interesting.
3. (And most importantly) how to prevent oneself from becoming a victim of the demonic, whatever level that might be.
Sensational stories are worthless if we cannot learn from them, and in my opinion, Fr. Martins has made it very accessible to learn from his experiences and move through life with HOPE in Jesus Christ and not in fear or wonder of the demons who despise us.
October 21, 2025
EVERYONE needs to read this book! I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Catholic Studies and I learned so much about the reality of the supernatural from reading this including the Catholic Church's teachings on a few things like ghosts, etc. Everyone needs to know all of this because eternity is a long time and if people continue opening doors to demons, eternity isn't going to be pleasant for them. I also realized the importance of truly and regularly praying for the souls in the state of purgation. I even teared up when Father shared a conversation between him and a Distressed Soul. I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone - Catholic or not. Yes, this book is hard to read at times because it's disturbing but it's too important to turn away from.
Now to buy my own copy because I borrowed this from my brother-in-law. 🙂
Now to buy my own copy because I borrowed this from my brother-in-law. 🙂
December 9, 2024
I will tell you what bothered me the most about this book. First off, its written by a Catholic priest. Personally, i believe that Catholicism is a sect founded on Roman principles of worshipping paganism. Basically, in other words, Catholicism in my opinion, worships Satan, and this whole of putting Pope as God representation if NONSENSICAL. Besides that do i believe that demons exist. Absolutely. But also there should be the element of personal responsibility. Other than that the book could be shorter. The same points are talked about multiple times. What i did like is that we really should start discussing the nature of evil in our lives and the nature of the battle for the souls. I think we are losing to Satan.
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