Name: Deliver Us from Evil: A New York City Cop Investigates the Supernatural
ISBN: 9781250059499

Lisa Collier Cool

Ralph Sarchie

A veteran NYPD officer describes how he moonlights as an investigator into the supernatural, offering a close-up look at some of his most shocking cases, including malevolent spirits, an incubus, demonic possession, bizarre rituals, and other terrifying incidents. Original.

Deliver Us from Evil: A New York City Cop Investigates the Supernatural

Demonic possession. Exorcism. Haunted Houses. Satanic Rituals. For most people this is the stuff of nightmares, horror movies, folklore, and superstition. For New York City police Sergeant Ralph Sarchie, it's as real—and dangerous—as midnight patrol . . . A sixteen-year NYPD veteran, Ralph Sarchie works out of the 46th Precinct in New York's South Bronx. But it is his other job that he calls "the Work": investigating cases of demonic possession and assisting in the exorcisms of humanity's most ancient—and most dangerous—foes. Now he discloses for the first time his investigations into incredible true crimes and inhuman evil that were never explained, solved, or understood except by Sarchie and his partner. Schooled in the rituals of exorcism, and an eyewitness to the reality of demonic possession, Ralph Sarchie has documented a riveting chronicle of the inexplicable that gives a new shape to the shadows in the dark. In Deliver Us from Evil, he takes readers into the very hierarchy of a hell on earth to expose the grisly rituals of a Palo Mayombe priest; a young girl whose innocence is violated by an incubus; a home invaded by the malevolent spirit of a supposedly murdered nineteenth-century bride; the dark side of a couple who were literally, the neighbors from hell; and more. Ralph Sarchie's revelations are a powerful and disturbing documented link between the true-crime realities of life and the blood-chilling ice-grip of a supernatural terror.

         This is one of those books that I picked up because somebody on social media posted about it, I found the premise intriguing, and I’ll genuinely read anything.  The person who posted it also happened to be my cousin and frequently I enjoy the same books she does.  Most of the books I read are on some sort of celebrity book club (they have a tendency to generate more interest), so I don’t often get the chance to read a book recommended by somebody I know.  However, even I want to read a book just because I want to read a book. 

            Paranormal activity is fascinating.  Possessions are equally fascinating.  I don’t necessarily believe that exist, but I don’t discount those who do.  Belief is powerful, and far be it from me to belittle those whose beliefs differ from my own.  I was excited to read this one because I wanted to read another version of The Exorcist.  I anticipated multiple versions of the same scenario in this book, and I was expecting to be on the edge of my seat while reading about the battle against evil.  While there were multiple stories of this teams of demon-fighters, they weren’t very exciting.  I wanted heart-thumping survival battles, but instead got watered down snippets of a group of people doing things.  That’s it, just some things. 

            I didn’t hate the book, I did still find some of the material fascinating.  The bits of history of exorcisms and Catholicism were fascinating, and those became my favorite bits of the book.  The “removal of demons” was just bland…and not at all what I wanted. 

Kristen Claiborn

         This is one of those books that I picked up because somebody on social media posted about it, I found the premise intriguing, and I’ll genuinely read anything.  The person who posted it also happened to be my cousin and frequently I enjoy the same books she does.  Most of the books I read are on some sort of celebrity book club (they have a tendency to generate more interest), so I don’t often get the chance to read a book recommended by somebody I know.  However, even I want to read a book just because I want to read a book. 

            Paranormal activity is fascinating.  Possessions are equally fascinating.  I don’t necessarily believe that exist, but I don’t discount those who do.  Belief is powerful, and far be it from me to belittle those whose beliefs differ from my own.  I was excited to read this one because I wanted to read another version of The Exorcist.  I anticipated multiple versions of the same scenario in this book, and I was expecting to be on the edge of my seat while reading about the battle against evil.  While there were multiple stories of this teams of demon-fighters, they weren’t very exciting.  I wanted heart-thumping survival battles, but instead got watered down snippets of a group of people doing things.  That’s it, just some things. 

            I didn’t hate the book, I did still find some of the material fascinating.  The bits of history of exorcisms and Catholicism were fascinating, and those became my favorite bits of the book.  The “removal of demons” was just bland…and not at all what I wanted. 

shellybn

I read a lot of "true paranormal" books, but I really enjoyed this one. The focus on exorcisms and hauntings being demonic might bother some people, but it is an interesting counterpoint to all of the investigators who rely solely on scientific equipment. I'm not sure what I believe about hauntings, but I found the cases interesting and enjoyed reading about a different type of investigator.

Deliver Us from Evil: A New York City Cop Investigates the Supernatural

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