Best books about Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators
Ed and Lorraine Warren were paranormal investigators who gained worldwide fame for their investigations into haunted houses, demonic possessions, and other supernatural phenomena. Their works often involve exorcism and séance.
Despite the skepticism and controversy, their legacy has endured, inspiring a string of Hollywood horror movies, such as The Conjuring and its spin-offs. This article compiles some of the best books about the Warrens and their investigations that become the real-life inspirations behind The Conjuring universe.
About Ed and Lorraine Warren and their investigations
Ed Warren Miney (born on September 7, 1926) and Lorraine Rita Warren (born on January 31, 1927) grew up in Bridgeport and spent most of their lives in Connecticut. During World War II, Ed joined the United States Navy at 17. Lorraine, meanwhile, went to Lauralton Hall, a Catholic girls’ high school.
Ed and Lorraine Warren became widely known due to their purported psychic abilities and gained a reputation as two of the world’s noted ghost hunters. Ed was a self-taught demonologist. They founded the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) in 1952.
The Warrens’ son-in-law, Tony Spera, now continues their legacy as a paranormal investigator and serves as the director of the NESPR.
The couple’s works have inspired numerous books and movies, reviving the horror genre. One of their well-known cases was the Amityville Horror, which involved a family who claimed their Long Island home was haunted by evil spirits. The Warrens investigated the case and concluded that the house was indeed haunted.
They also claimed that the malevolent spirit was responsible for influencing Ronald Defeo Jr. to murder his family members in the same house in 1974. Despite their claims, the judge overseeing the case didn’t accept this explanation and ultimately convicted him.
In the famous “The Devil Made Me Do It” case, Arne Cheyenne Johnson claimed that he was possessed when killing Alan Bono. At trial, Johnson tried to argue that he was innocent due to his possession of demons.
The New York Times reported that the Warrens had spent time with Johnson and his family, and they believed that he was possessed by a demon. However, the plea was unsuccessful at the trial, and the judge convicted him to prison.
Another prominent case investigated by the Warrens was the Smurl Haunting in Pennsylvania, where Jack and Janet Smurl claimed to be terrorized by demons in their home. While some believed that paranormal activity occurred, others remained skeptical and regarded the case as a hoax.
In 1971, the Warrens confirmed that the Perron family’s home in Harrisville, Rhode Island, was haunted by a witch named Bathsheba Sherman. She had lived there in there in the 1800s and cursed the land. This true story inspired the 2013 film The Conjuring.
James Wan directed the film, starring Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren. The film was released in July 2013 by Warner Bros and New Line Cinema and gained positive reviews.
Other films were made after the success of the first film, making it one of the most popular horror franchises and reviving the horror story in the industry. The main series include The Conjuring (2013), The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist (2016), and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021).
There are also other films included in the franchise, such as Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017), and The Nun (2018). The Annabelle movies are based on the supposedly possessed Raggedy Ann Doll known as the Annabelle doll, which is now housed in the Warren’s occult museum.
Despite their popularity, the Warrens were also subject to controversy and criticism. Skeptics questioned their legitimacy, and some accused them of exploiting people’s fears for financial gain.
In one notable case, the authenticity of their investigation of “the haunting in Connecticut” was called into question. The Warrens were accused of embellishing their experiences as there was no significant proof of paranormal phenomena at the investigated house.
Best books about the Warrens
The following are some of the best books about the Warrens, offering a deep dive into their investigations, cases, and supernatural experiences.
The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Loraine Warren by Gerard Brittle
The Demonologist is a non-fiction book that chronicles the lives and careers of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The book provides an in-depth look into the Warrens’ investigations of paranormal activities.
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
This book delves into the experiences of the Lutz family who lived in a haunted house in Amityville, New York. The Warrens were called in to investigate supernatural occurrences, and the book details their involvement in the case.
The House of Darkness: House of Light—The True Story by Andrea Perron
The House of Darkness: House of Light is a trilogy that tells the story of the Perron family, who lived in a haunted farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island. Ed and Lorraine Warren were involved in the investigation. They consider this case particularly interesting and important among the many ghost stories they have encountered.
The Devil in Connecticut by Gerald Brittle
A family in Connecticut was terrorized by 43 devils who possessed their youngest son. The situation escalated when the spirits came to claim a soul, resulting in a violent murder that defied the divine rules. In this case, Ed and Lorraine Warren present disturbing facts that the courts ignored.
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FAQ
What does Lorraine Warren think about the skeptics?
Lorraine Warren believes that the skeptics are entitled to their opinions, but she maintains that her experiences and investigations have convinced her of the reality of the paranormal.
What is the difference between a psychic and a medium?
A psychic perceives information, while a medium mediates communication between the spirits of the deceased and human beings.
What was the actual profession of Ed and Lorraine Warren?
Ed & Lorraine were both paranormal investigators and demonologists. They were regarded as pioneers in the field of paranormal research.