Dementia: Book 4 of The Demons Among Us series

The Demon Among Us #4

by Justin Boote

When Julian’s wife, Claire, dies in a car crash, his world is turned upside down. Especially as they have just become parents. Devastated, Julian moves back home with his mother, Edna, so she can help raise the young baby, Isaak, while Julian throws himself into his work and processes his grief. Edna, despite her seventy years, is more than happy to help out, doting on the boy, doing everything she can while Julian tries to cope with his sudden tragic situation.
Yet Edna has a dark secret. Something she has carried with her for years, a promise she made, and now, there can be no turning back. Failure to do so and the consequences will be catastrophic for her and everyone she loves. And that time has arrived.
Terry is devastated too. Since the incident in Northgate Hospital for the Criminally Insane, Agatha remains in a vegetative state in its sister hospital, and show no signs of recovery, despite Terry and his friend, Michael’s, best efforts. Fearing she may never recover, Terry spirals into a world of self-pity, drinking far too much, not caring for himself or anything else. Much less the promise he made to his little sister, Katie, all those years ago. Yet when ghostly sounds and shadows start appearing at Northgate Mental Hospital and Michael is given clues as to what could be happening at Julian’s home, he begs Terry to reconsider and help out. Yet it could be too late for all of them if Edna carries out her promise.

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 27, 2026

Reviews

[BookSplatterBritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, another demonic story from the series that I love. possession involving an old lady and a baby, which in my opinion is the creepiest. that one scene with the old lady and the knitting needles? I could never unsee that in my head.

[Alexandra Nisneru · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit on the slowburn side and milder, comparing to the previous ones in the series but still a good and strong story with lots of tense moments and creepy images that will get stuck into your brain.
Can't wait to see what Terry is up to next!

[Ian Gielen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dementia is another ripper of a story in the Demons Among Us series that keeps going from strength to strength.

This time, the story revolves around a Julian who has lost his wife in a tragic car accident a few months ago, and his baby son, Isaak. Julian and his son have moved in with his elderly mother, Edna so she can help Julian with Isaak but her behaviour progressively changes for the worse. As a result, Julian is scared that she might end up hurting Isaak and calls in his contact from the church, Michael to come and investigate.
Meanwhile, Terry is broken after the events of the past novel that has left his wife, Agatha in a vegetative state. He is absorbed in his own misery and guilt and has zero interest in continuing on with exorcisms.
Michael convinces him to investigate and Terry finds out more than he bargained for.

Like the others in the series, this one takes time to build up and ramps up the creepy factor as it does. The mystery of Edna and her possession is quite different from anything Terry has faced before and helps to keep the series fresh.

If you love possession stories, this series is a goldmine. I look forward to what promises to be an explosive finale to the series in Book 5.

[Milt Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice blend of demonic possession and geriatric horror, "Dementia" is an unhinged new chapter in the adventures of Terry the demonologist-slash-exorcist. With his wife Agatha confined in Northgate Hospital in a state of total shock, Terry is not at his best. When his friend Michael asks his help to exorcize a poor old woman who apparently acts possessed and may be a threat to the life of her own grandson, Terry has once again to exceed himself and deal with the new case before things get out of hand. Unfortunately, there's a lot to uncover this time, as the grandma is not so innocent herself.

The book follows a calm, easy road to setting up the story, at least till it's time for Terry's involvement, when things get dark and violent to the point of no return. It's not precisely a slow burn, more like a fast-paced dive into a typical case of possession, where all the textbook signs are presented and every indication of demonic presence is drawn upon. Creepy scenes abound, but overall the book feels neither as angry nor as extreme and intense as the previous ones.

Still, it's a definite must-read if you enjoy well-written and entertaining possession tales, with that special Boote finesse and eye for detail. Recommended!

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

👿👿 Dementia by Justin Boote 👿👿

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When Julian’s wife, Claire, dies in a car crash, his world is turned upside down. Especially as they have just become parents. Devastated, Julian moves back home with his mother, Edna, so she can help raise the young baby, Isaak, while Julian throws himself into his work and processes his grief. Edna, despite her seventy years, is more than happy to help out, doting on the boy, doing everything she can while Julian tries to cope with his sudden tragic situation. Yet Edna has a dark secret. Something she has carried with her for years, a promise she made, and now, there can be no turning back. Failure to do so and the consequences will be catastrophic for her and everyone she loves. And that time has arrived.

Another great read from Justin, with this being the fourth book in a series which goes from strength to strength. It's a slower pace this time (and not because the victim is in her 70's), but the twists and surprises are still there, and yet again Justin proves that no one is safe from Baal and his minions. This remains a highly recommended series!

[Kymber Jost · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t want to miss Dementia, the 4th book in Justin Boote’s Demon series, which picks up where book 3, Mental, left off. After losing his wife in a tragic car accident, Julian is juggling with raising their baby boy, Isaak, without her and building his business. Julian and Isaak live with Edna, Julian’s 70-year mother, who appears to be a devoted grandmother with a bit of an obsession for her grandson. After a while, unexplained smells, sounds, and sightings appear in the house. Edna’s obsession takes a sinister turn…she is called upon by a demon to repay a debt from long ago. As Julian grows concerned about his son’s safety and his mother’s odd behavior, he reaches out to his church for help, which leads him to Terry “the exorcist”. As Terry is dealing with his own personal issues stemming from Mental, book 3 in the series, he agrees to help. Will he arrive in time to banish the evil spirit from Edna, thus saving her and Julian’s family? You’ll have to read Dementia to find out! I was on the edge of my sleep and couldn’t put this book down! Available on Amazon February 27th.

[VibekeN · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you had the chance to get the one thing you crave with every fiber of your being–would you pay the price? Make a deal with the devil?

Julian loses his wife in a horrible accident and is left to take care of their son, Isaak. In his grief, he moves in with his mother for help. But their peace is short-lived. Edna begins to act strange, she sleepwalks, loses track of time, and her memory fails. Julian no longer trusts her.

Terry, our fearless demonologist, is fighting his own battles while Agatha is still unwell. Will he be ready when the demons come knocking again?

This book was fast-paced with strong characters and multiple POVs. J. Boote has a real talent for storytelling, and for painting vivid cinematic scenes for his readers.

I highly recommend this entire series to readers who love supernatural horror, and the eternal battle between good and evil.

-Vibeke 🖤

[Madame Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dementia” - Say a little prayer for me and remind me to never take take up knitting as a hobby.

★★★★☆ (4.5)

These demons are relentless and I’m here for it! (Maybe Justin has found a way to make his novels posses me because I a hooked and always desperate for what comes next) This book being the 4th in the “Demons Among Us” series picks up where book 3 left off and delivers another horrific tale filled with darkness. There were moments where I gasped out loud and images have been implanted in my brain that no amount of holy water can wash away. It’s always a blessing to get to read these novels as an ARC and I will sell my soul to read the next one because I’m desperate for more.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC!


Justin Boote has a way of taking a vulnerable situation and making it absolutely terrifying. "Dementia" isn't just a horror novel. This one pulled at my heart strings. The story is a look at the devastating effects of grief and the secrets we carry. The way Julian’s life unravels after his wife’s death is painful to watch, but it’s Edna’s character that really disturbed me. Edna is a doting grandmother with a very dark secret. Boote weaves a twisted tale. Dealing with aging parents, this one had me shook. If you like your horror with a side of emotional trauma, this is a must-read!

[K D Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agatha lands up in Northgate Hospital uncommunicative, unresponsive. Terry’s heartbroken. But regardless of this Mike has a new case for Terry. Edna’s story is both touching and harrowing. There’s nothing like a mother’s love. The writing is brilliantly crafted and dementia has fast become my favourite novella in this series. I especially loved Terry and Agatha’s story lines in this one!

[Heather Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin Boote delivers another visceral gut-punch in Dementia, the fourth installment in his Demons Among Us series, where grief collides with supernatural torment in the rawest way.
This is smart, unsettling fiction that sticks; ideal for fans of psychological thrillers. If you crave stories that mess with your sense of reality, grab this one.

[Steph Kneeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of the series did not disappoint, picking up right where book 3 left off. This one was a pretty quick read, full of thrill, a bit of gore, and I will definitely not look at knitting needles the same way again!

Looking forward to where the 5th book is going to take us!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg I just love how you made it about a grandmother being possessed because of doing a satanic ritual to get pregnant when she was unable to conceive. wow just wow. love live live this series