In honor of Halloween, or fright month, Steven LaChance, author of a new book about the reported 1949 exorcism of a St. Louis boy, will be the guest speaker at the Scenic Regional Library at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10.

“I asked (LaChance) to come because I think it’s a scary topic, which is perfect for the month of October,” said Kerry Christian, adult programmer at the Scenic Regional Library Warren County Branch.

“It’s also a story that many people in the surrounding areas of St. Louis are familiar with since the events took place here, and it was the inspiration for the well-known movie, ‘The Exorcist.’ ”

As the story goes, a boy was acting out and unnatural occurrences happened in his presence. The Catholic church intervened to perform an exorcism.

LaChance’s book, “Confrontation With Evil: The 1949 St. Louis Exorcism,” claims to expand on what people think they know about the 1949 St. Louis exorcism case that inspired the 1971 book “The Exorcist” and 1973 movie of the same name.

LaChance, an author and investigator, offers new evidence and new theories in the book that he will discuss during his visit at the library.

Christian said people are already reserving a spot.

“Many of the people who have been signing up are excited to meet Steven after seeing him on various TV specials,” she said. “I think everyone will be interested in hearing his interpretation and new information on the case. It will be interesting to see who leaves the event as believers or nonbelievers.”  

The Scenic Regional Library Warren County Branch is located at 912 S. Highway 47 in Warrenton. To RSVP, stop by the branch, call 636-456-3321 or register online at scenicregional.org.