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What Happened to Maggie Dalton?
Inspired by True Events
In his youth, Richard “Dickie” Dalton had the potential to become a writer. Instead, he became an offshore oil worker who settled down in his hometown of Dildo, Newfoundland, with his wife, Morely, and his daughter, Maggie. Now, years later, when ten-year-old Maggie starts displaying bizarre behaviour, and after an unexplainable tragedy occurs at her elementary school, Dickie begins documenting the events that plague his family and haunt the town. In their search for answers, Dickie and Morley begin to question whether Maggie might be possessed by a demon.
Dickie Dalton's first-person manuscript, which includes witness accounts from the doctors who treat Maggie, the local police who respond to the school incident, Maggie's teachers, news reports, and documentation of the involvement of a visiting Nigerian priest, Father William Carlow, gives a full account of the possession of Maggie Dalton. This manuscript follows Maggie's exorcism, which took place in the Dalton home during the fall of 2010.
In his youth, Richard “Dickie” Dalton had the potential to become a writer. Instead, he became an offshore oil worker who settled down in his hometown of Dildo, Newfoundland, with his wife, Morely, and his daughter, Maggie. Now, years later, when ten-year-old Maggie starts displaying bizarre behaviour, and after an unexplainable tragedy occurs at her elementary school, Dickie begins documenting the events that plague his family and haunt the town. In their search for answers, Dickie and Morley begin to question whether Maggie might be possessed by a demon.
Dickie Dalton's first-person manuscript, which includes witness accounts from the doctors who treat Maggie, the local police who respond to the school incident, Maggie's teachers, news reports, and documentation of the involvement of a visiting Nigerian priest, Father William Carlow, gives a full account of the possession of Maggie Dalton. This manuscript follows Maggie's exorcism, which took place in the Dalton home during the fall of 2010.
- GenresHorror
321 pages, Paperback
Published September 9, 2022
3 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 19, 2023
This book pays homage to The Exorcist with a Newfoundland spin. My overall review is positive, but my commentary here may sound negative. 🤷🏻♀️ I didn’t enjoy some of the writing and the demonic possession was even more dramatic than The Exorcist movie, but I did find myself unable to stop reading until I knew the outcome. The Exorcist novel was written by William Peter Blatty and there is quite overtly a Dr. Blatty who attends to Maggie Dalton in this book. I wondered also at the mother’s name, Morley, as it is quite unique and evokes only one thing for me - the Vinyl Cafe. When her maiden name is later revealed to be McClane (albeit spelled differently from Stuart MacLean), the reference is unquestionable. I very much enjoyed this book although it’s well outside my preferable genres. My main disappointment though is how the possession came to occur in the first place. It is never explained. There is a short paragraph where the priest likens it to cancer, an evil presence that takes root unbidden, through no fault of anyone involved. As a reader, I wanted more than that. It’s been a while since I watched The Exorcist and I don’t ever plan to read the book, but I seem to recall an artifact of some kind and possibly a ouija board? Lastly, the synopsis boasts the book is “inspired by true events.” As a book published by Flanker Press, there is an unwritten expectation that it would be inspired by true events in this province. Not a book based on a movie based on a book that was inspired by an actual case of an American boy in the forties.
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November 25, 2022A page-turner and an homage with a few unexpected twists.
February 12, 2023
In 1973, nineteen-year-old Kenneth Tobin went to see The Exorcist at the Capitol Theatre on Henry Street in downtown St. John’s. Years later he confessed to his son — “I slept with the lights on for about a month after that.”
I had five or six years on Kenneth in 1973, when I went to see The Exorcist at the Capitol. I wasn’t at the same showing as Kenneth. I know that because I didn’t witness the fuss when Kenneth’s buddy Tony frightened the whoopsie out of the woman sitting in front of him.
Nor did I sleep with the lights on afterwards, but…
… months later I was trouting alone at a pond in the hinterland when I realized I was uneasy as if some presence — Regan’s exorcised demon? — was watching me.
Quick as Granny caught the weasel, I reeled in my line and scravelled home.
I’ve never watched The Exorcist again, and now, a lifetime later, I still occasionally dream of demon-possessed children.
Funny thing though, in these dreams if I order the demon to batter to Jesus, it does. Batter to Jesus, that is.
Nonetheless, dream exorcist or not, I admit that friggin’ movie frightened me (has haunted me) on a subconscious level.
Christopher Tobin’s (Kenneth’s son by the way) novel What Happened to Maggie Dalton [Flanker Press] has waylaid my subconscious with another story of demonic possession.
Get this —
A demon has possessed Maggie Dalton, a youngster from Dildo, Newfoundland, a community just across the Trans Canada Highway from my house in Dunville.
Uncomfortably close to my doorstep, eh b’ys?
Anyway…
Events following an “incident” at their daughter’s school, lead Richard Dalton and his wife Morley to wonder if Maggie is possessed.
They don’t have to wonder for long — all the Devil’s signs are present. Maggie speaks Latin in a queer ol’ fiendish voice. The walls of Maggie’s room (the demon’s nest) split asunder when Beelzebub — or whoever? whatever? — is challenged.
Scary stuff like that.
However, unlike Linda Blair’s head in the original Exorcist movie, Maggie’s noggin doesn’t slew front to back, twisted so by a demonic force.
(That was a cinema scene to spook the bejabbers out of one’s unsullied subconscious, eh b’ys?)
At one point though, there is some serious spinal wrenching in Maggie’s presence.
So, send for an exorcist.
Max Von Sydow is no longer available. Although there is a priest — Father William Carlow from Nigeria — living in St. John’s who, when summoned, answers the call, if you will.
Terrifying events ensue.
Maggie Dalton is not only the tale of a demon-possessed young girl, but also, it’s a story about guilt and sacrifice, among other things.
Other things?
Infidelity, for instance.
Just for badness, the demon — it is a satanic imp after all — spits out a couple of smutty accusations that initiate some adulterous scab-picking, if I may wax metaphorically, which reveal cracks in seemingly sturdy matrimonial armour. (See, metaphor again, eh b’ys?)
Whatever Happened to Maggie Dalton surprised me. It had been lodged on my bookshelf for months and I’d read a dozen books around it. Finally, for no particular reason, I selected it.
I was off to the races.
B’ys, another … never mind.
What’s the takeaway, as they say?
Find (preferably, buy to support a local author) a copy of Maggie Dalton, turn all the lights on even if you read in daylight, and enjoy the story.
Oh, if you never have done so, watch The Exorcist. See if its scarifying content has held up over half a century. See if it horrifies you as it did Kenneth Tobin and me, and, truth be told, Christopher Tobin himself.
Thank you for reading.
I had five or six years on Kenneth in 1973, when I went to see The Exorcist at the Capitol. I wasn’t at the same showing as Kenneth. I know that because I didn’t witness the fuss when Kenneth’s buddy Tony frightened the whoopsie out of the woman sitting in front of him.
Nor did I sleep with the lights on afterwards, but…
… months later I was trouting alone at a pond in the hinterland when I realized I was uneasy as if some presence — Regan’s exorcised demon? — was watching me.
Quick as Granny caught the weasel, I reeled in my line and scravelled home.
I’ve never watched The Exorcist again, and now, a lifetime later, I still occasionally dream of demon-possessed children.
Funny thing though, in these dreams if I order the demon to batter to Jesus, it does. Batter to Jesus, that is.
Nonetheless, dream exorcist or not, I admit that friggin’ movie frightened me (has haunted me) on a subconscious level.
Christopher Tobin’s (Kenneth’s son by the way) novel What Happened to Maggie Dalton [Flanker Press] has waylaid my subconscious with another story of demonic possession.
Get this —
A demon has possessed Maggie Dalton, a youngster from Dildo, Newfoundland, a community just across the Trans Canada Highway from my house in Dunville.
Uncomfortably close to my doorstep, eh b’ys?
Anyway…
Events following an “incident” at their daughter’s school, lead Richard Dalton and his wife Morley to wonder if Maggie is possessed.
They don’t have to wonder for long — all the Devil’s signs are present. Maggie speaks Latin in a queer ol’ fiendish voice. The walls of Maggie’s room (the demon’s nest) split asunder when Beelzebub — or whoever? whatever? — is challenged.
Scary stuff like that.
However, unlike Linda Blair’s head in the original Exorcist movie, Maggie’s noggin doesn’t slew front to back, twisted so by a demonic force.
(That was a cinema scene to spook the bejabbers out of one’s unsullied subconscious, eh b’ys?)
At one point though, there is some serious spinal wrenching in Maggie’s presence.
So, send for an exorcist.
Max Von Sydow is no longer available. Although there is a priest — Father William Carlow from Nigeria — living in St. John’s who, when summoned, answers the call, if you will.
Terrifying events ensue.
Maggie Dalton is not only the tale of a demon-possessed young girl, but also, it’s a story about guilt and sacrifice, among other things.
Other things?
Infidelity, for instance.
Just for badness, the demon — it is a satanic imp after all — spits out a couple of smutty accusations that initiate some adulterous scab-picking, if I may wax metaphorically, which reveal cracks in seemingly sturdy matrimonial armour. (See, metaphor again, eh b’ys?)
Whatever Happened to Maggie Dalton surprised me. It had been lodged on my bookshelf for months and I’d read a dozen books around it. Finally, for no particular reason, I selected it.
I was off to the races.
B’ys, another … never mind.
What’s the takeaway, as they say?
Find (preferably, buy to support a local author) a copy of Maggie Dalton, turn all the lights on even if you read in daylight, and enjoy the story.
Oh, if you never have done so, watch The Exorcist. See if its scarifying content has held up over half a century. See if it horrifies you as it did Kenneth Tobin and me, and, truth be told, Christopher Tobin himself.
Thank you for reading.
December 23, 2022
Wow! What a fantastic book. I loved its fast-paced frenetic tone and the honest and unapologetic way it was written. The format works perfectly; it reads like a first-hand account, giving credence to it’s promise of a “true story.”
Dickie Dalton lives in Dildo, Newfoundland with his wife Morley and their ten-year-old daughter Maggie. When strange things begin to happen to Maggie, and to those around her, no rational explanation can be found. As these incidents escalate in nature, Dickie begins to suspect that there is something supernatural afoot. In fact, both Dickie and Morley begin to suspect a possible demonic possession and when traditional medicine fails to help the stricken child, the family must turn to a priest, and the church, for help.
This epistolary novel that includes interviews, witness accounts, and diary entries that explore the events leading up to Maggie’s eventual exorcism will keep you turning pages and holding your breath. A truly horrifying story, Christopher Tobin has done an extraordinary job of making these events feel real. You will find yourself, as a reader, woefully unprepared, for what might happen next.
Dickie Dalton lives in Dildo, Newfoundland with his wife Morley and their ten-year-old daughter Maggie. When strange things begin to happen to Maggie, and to those around her, no rational explanation can be found. As these incidents escalate in nature, Dickie begins to suspect that there is something supernatural afoot. In fact, both Dickie and Morley begin to suspect a possible demonic possession and when traditional medicine fails to help the stricken child, the family must turn to a priest, and the church, for help.
This epistolary novel that includes interviews, witness accounts, and diary entries that explore the events leading up to Maggie’s eventual exorcism will keep you turning pages and holding your breath. A truly horrifying story, Christopher Tobin has done an extraordinary job of making these events feel real. You will find yourself, as a reader, woefully unprepared, for what might happen next.
December 9, 2022
This is not usually the type of book I read but because the author is the son-in-law of a friend of mine, I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed. The author drew me in to the story right from the first page. I was also impressed that he used my hometown of Dildo as the setting. The characters were believable and got my sympathy, especially the parents, the doctors and the young friends of Maggie.
I gave it 4 stars, could be a 4 1/2 but I did feel it rambled on a bit at times so I didn’t feel it deserved a 5.
I can’t wait to see what else this young author writes!
I gave it 4 stars, could be a 4 1/2 but I did feel it rambled on a bit at times so I didn’t feel it deserved a 5.
I can’t wait to see what else this young author writes!
August 28, 2025
I had a hard time putting this book down! Kept getting sucked in - wondering what would happen next. Only had to put it down to take breaks from intense moments.
Solid read by a new author. Not like anything I’ve personally read before. Since I live close to where this book took place, it was fun hearing some of the connections.
Solid read by a new author. Not like anything I’ve personally read before. Since I live close to where this book took place, it was fun hearing some of the connections.
December 16, 2022
One more page.
I kept saying one more page was all I would read and then I would make supper.
Supper never got made but it didn't matter. This book is definitely an up all night until it's done book. Very well written!
I kept saying one more page was all I would read and then I would make supper.
Supper never got made but it didn't matter. This book is definitely an up all night until it's done book. Very well written!
May 12, 2023
I bought the book thinking it was based on happenings in Newfoundland as I love reading true stories about Newfoundland and the supernatural has always piqued my interest. I was not prepared for it to be about a movie with an NL twist. Written wonderfully but just not what I was expecting.
November 15, 2022
I LOVED this book! I devoured it. All horror/possession/Exorcist fans need to read this book!! Also, I really enjoyed the setting of Newfoundland. Excellent excellent excellent.
April 28, 2023
Interesting
The book is not the genre I normally read. However, it was more accurate and more interesting than I expected.
The book is not the genre I normally read. However, it was more accurate and more interesting than I expected.
August 20, 2023
Did not expect it to be written with a touch of newfoundland "slang". Few parts felt a little dragged out but overall a very compelling read!
October 16, 2023
If I could give it more stars, I would!
February 21, 2025
Loved it!
October 29, 2023
I had to keep reading the book and I love when I book grabs me like that. I did end up having two nightmares while reading this book. I felt it was very well written and recommended it to a few friends and they all loved it as well.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews