Excellent book, loved it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

The book starts with the arrival of a young Radcliffe student, Clara Fowler at the office of renowned psychotherapist, Dr. Morton Prince. In Claa’s past, she saw her father killed two of his infants.. it scared her. Clara relives her traumatic childhood by nightmares that occur every night. She claims that she receives “Visitations from Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin.” She is cursed by a demon who wants her to die. What happens when she tells Dr. Prince? What will Dr. Prince do? How did each of these murders link with the serial killings of Jack the Ripper and H. H. Holmes?

The author has written the most frightening book on demonic possession ever...as real and convincing as the medical case history it's based upon."
The book creeped up on me while reading it. At time I believed Clara was possessed and other times I wasn’t sure that she was. The author’s use of building suspense, using vivid imagery and atmospheric descriptions that transport you to a world of terror. Was perfectly done. I enjoyed this book very much.

Part murder mystery, part exorcism, I enjoyed the old-school feel of this one! The writing style reminded me of books like Audrey Rose, that chilling mixed-genre vibe weaving the paranormal into everyday happenings. I would definitely read more from this author.

Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance.

I love a thriller and this one delivered.
Felber strikes a balance between thrills and chills that will keep readers turning pages.

In *The Unwelcomed*, the author crafts a chilling narrative that deftly intertwines psychological horror with historical intrigue, inviting readers to confront the profound question of evil's existence. This thought-provoking tale begins with Clara Fowler, a troubled Radcliffe student, seeking help from the esteemed psychotherapist Dr. Morton Prince. As she recounts her harrowing childhood experiences, we are drawn into a dark world filled with religious visions and the sinister presence of a malevolent force.

From the outset, the novel grips you with its haunting atmosphere and unsettling themes. Clara’s visions of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin juxtapose sharply with the emergence of a demonic entity, creating a tension that is both compelling and terrifying. The author’s exploration of evil—whether as a metaphor or a tangible force—provokes deep reflection and resonates with timeless questions about human nature.

The narrative structure is particularly engaging, shifting between Clara’s recollections and the contemporary investigation led by a relentless city marshal. This dual perspective adds layers to the story, gradually revealing the chilling connections between Clara’s past and notorious historical figures like Jack the Ripper and H. H. Holmes. The meticulous weaving of fact and fiction heightens the sense of dread, as the reader becomes more entangled in the mysteries surrounding Clara’s family and their dark legacy.

The author excels in building suspense, using vivid imagery and atmospheric descriptions that transport you to a world where fear lurks in every corner. The characters are richly developed, particularly Clara, whose journey from innocence to horror is both heartbreaking and riveting. As she grapples with her memories and the implications of her experiences, the reader is left questioning the nature of reality itself.

The pacing is relentless, culminating in shocking revelations that leave you breathless. The intertwining of Clara's traumatic past with the detective's pursuit of the truth creates a gripping narrative that explores themes of trauma, guilt, and the haunting specter of evil.

*The Unwelcomed* is not just a horror story; it is a profound exploration of what it means to confront the darkness within and around us. With echoes of classic psychological thrillers, this novel will captivate fans of horror and mystery alike. has delivered a powerful, unsettling tale that lingers long after the final page is turned. Highly recommended for those who dare to delve into the complexities of evil and the human psyche.

Clara Fowler is a young woman suffering from visions/visitations, and she finally has to resort to Dr Prince’s treatments.
While she seeks help from Dr Prince, Marshall Bassett Hilliard investigations a series of crimes.
We do not delve into the characters’ personalities much, except in the last quarter. There is so much potential in here.
Overall, after deliberate reflection on this, my initial pleasure and impression has remained, and it is favourable.
This is an enjoyable read, balancing many genres and topics.
When the author writes the possession, the ‘demon’ speaking, and the dynamics between Prince and Marshall, his writing shines.
Atmosphere 3.75
Characterisation 3.5
Prose 3.5
Plot 3.5
Enjoyability 4.5
Pacing 4.5

My 6P review: Publication, Plot, People, Place, Prose/Pace, Praise

Is evil real? Does it prowl the earth or is it merely used as an excuse for the bad that people do? Clara Fowler is treated by Dr Morton Prince for what some would call, demonic possession. But is that really the case.

This just didn’t gel with me. I was expecting mind blowing scary stuff but I felt rather deflated by this book. I was hoping for a book to keep me awake at night.

The characters were a bit flat and I really didn’t care for Clara. The demon was laughable and not at all scary.

I did, however, like the link between Jack the Ripper and H H Holmes. That was interesting.

I also like that it was set at the turn of the 20th century and the author portrayed this period really well with not only descriptions but dialogue too.

The writing was really good and I’m inclined to read more from this author because of it.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The atmosphere of this book is perfect for the way it immerses you into the dark & cold of it all. Its old world realness feels raw & gritty with the way it’s presented. The contrast of a world built on social & societal norms spun on its head and flipped into the most foundational and ‘real’ it could be. Without the pretense of polite society or clinical know-how, this book tears the thin veneer of normalcy off and you’re along for the ride as it moves through the story. The veil of control or understanding is an illusion, and it’s wonderful to get deeper into it page by page.

The Unwelcomed has a curious vibe. It has a very "old-school" feel about it not only capturing the time-era its set but also feels a little like a book published a few decades ago - and not as a criticism - its actually a sense that I really enjoy.

The tale is an interesting mix of murder mystery and the exorcist, and a significant part of the story revolves around early psychologists/psychiatrists debating over the nature of an apparent possession case the one of the MC is treating.

It's considered a spoiler to say there is a twist - however I think its worth mentioning in review because of the style of the story doesn't necessarily feel like there are going to be too many surprising and I suspect some readers might not persevere, but its definitely worth it, the ending is not a piece of cheese but its most unexpected and thought provoking.

I did have one slight beef with this book, and that is the issue of 'who is the MC anyway' the majority of the page-time is devoted to Dr. Prince in fact 'The Marshall' isn't even mentioned by name in the blurb! Yet as the book progresses the "Grizzled Lawman" features more and more and sort of takes over as the MC. It doesn't quite work in the story as his initial few scenes make him seem more like an unreasonable antagonist and a problem - its something I think could have been better developed in the story.

Nonetheless The Unwelcomed was a fun tale, the juxtaposition of real historical figures was done great and added excellent flavour to the story - recommended!

The Unwelcomed is a possession story told by the possessed’s doctor and an investigator that is looking into crimes he believes were committed by a cult that her father was involved in.
The possession part of the story is a bit clinical and dry due to being mostly told through the eyes of an unbeliever who is treating Clara for what he believes is a dissociative disorder.
The crimes committed story line is told by the quintessential drunken cop trope character.
None of the characters jumped out of the pages for me, they were all a little bland, including the demon who I’d have like to have more of a part in the book.
I did like the connections that were made with the Holmes, Borden, Ripper, and other murders in general, but again maybe more of one or the other, murder connections or possession, and I would have liked this book better than the 3⭐️ that I am ultimately giving it.

This was a fun horror paranormal novel.

We follow Dr. Prince (who is wanting to bad to reach the level of prestige of Dr. Freud in the late 19th century/early 20th century).
He is recommended the curious case of Clara Fowler who seems to be either severely psychologically ill or possessed by the devil.

We follow Dr. Prince and his team who try and determine what plagues Clara and how to treat/save her.
There is also a discredited sheriff in the shadows who is doing his own investigation into Clara as well.

This book has Jack the Ripper/Lizzie Borden/H.H. Holmes conspiracies, exorcism, sadistic cults, etc.
TW for sexual assault, violence/mutilation, suicide

Felber's writing feels effortless and makes such an enjoyable read!

The Unwelcomed: The Strange Case of Clare Fowler gave me Dan Simmons vibes. (Especially from the excellent novel Drood) I only mean that as the highest compliment, because Dan Simmons is one of my favorite horror authors.
The book is really well written. With material that feels rather familiar in 2024, Rob Felber manages to make it feel fresh enough to keep you engaged, while wanting to find out what exactly is going on with Clare... And where exactly are things going to end up.

It's a hell of a ride, from beginning to end.
But I enjoyed the journey, through each page.

3.75 / 5

A really thoughtful marriage of the supernatural and scientific fields suggesting an undeniable interdependence of the two. Based on a true account of demonic possession, it’s extremely creepy & truly horrifying what this poor lady went through.

“The Unwelcomed: The Curious Case of Clara Fowler” by Ron Felber is available now in paperback and on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and Audible.

The Unwelcomed begins with the arrival of a young Radcliffe student at the office of renowned psychotherapist, Dr. Morton Prince. Pursued by a city marshal hellbent on solving the murder of two infants strangled by her father, Clara Fowler relives the nightmare that was her childhood—exalted by Visitations from Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin, cursed by the emergence of a demonic presence obsessed with her demise.

What did it all mean? And how did each of these murders link with the serial killings of Jack the Ripper and H. H. Holmes? The answer, the grizzled lawman discovers, is more shocking than he could ever imagine!

This was a great story, mixing horror, historical fiction and true crime in a blend that really works. The demonic possession mystery unfolds at a great pace, and it’s full of strong characters. A great read.

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A very good read and delighted to see it was based on real people. However, it got bogged down a bit towards the end and I was skimming it a bit but I would recommend it if you like paranormal/possession horror. 3.5/5*

Demonic possession or psychosis — set in turn-of-the-20th-century Boston? I had to read this one!

Clara Fowler is losing her mind: she experiences both horrifying visions and comforting visitations. A demon known as "The One" torments her with relentless nightmares. Meanwhile Jesus and Mary drop by, offering solace and affirming that her possession by The One is a test of her unwavering faith. Seems kinda mean, but that's all J & M have to offer.

Clara’s struggle intensifies. The demon’s insidious influence grows, seizing control of her body for hours at a time. She can't sleep and malnutrition is setting in. Desperate for salvation, she turns to Dr. Morton Prince, a psychiatrist and rival of Sigmund Freud, who is determined to unravel the enigma that engulfs her.

The Unwelcomed isn't necessarily scary as you read it, but it's the kind of book that scares you after you stop reading and imagine what malevolent forces may be lurking when lights turn off.

A gripping horror mystery novel, is Clara possessed or is she suffering from mental illness. Well crafted characters in this dark and eerie book. Loved it and will look for more from this author. Thanks to Black Rose writing and Netgalley for a review copy.

This is a new to me author, and I will definitely be looking for more of his works. I enjoy reading stories that blend facts and fiction. I would recommend this to anybody who enjoys horror stories.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This book just wasn't for me. The story was fairly interesting but I found myself bored throughout the whole thing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

Addictive story from the very beginning. With its cast of characters, wonderful writing still and its the ability to keep me guessing, The Unwelcomed has cemented Thrillers/mysteries as my new favorite genre. Thank you.