Day of Epiphany

by Jerome J. Bourgault

Inspired by True Events

At the stroke of a pen, Sister Cassandra Lalonde has gone from being a teacher in an orphanage to a nurse in a psychiatric hospital, and her beloved students have been “reclassified” as mental patients. Set against the backdrop of Québec’s Grande Noirceur (Great Darkness) of the 1940s and ’50s, Day of Epiphany tells a haunting, riveting story inspired by the true events of the Duplessis orphans scandal, a much overlooked national tragedy.

Invisible to society, and with no rights under the law, the children of Sainte-Madeleine Institute are subjected to horrific experimental treatments and unspeakable abuse. Alone against the combined powers of the Catholic Church, the autocratic government of Maurice Duplessis, and the province’s medical authorities, Cassandra must resort to increasingly drastic measures to protect those under her care. Ghostly hymns and desperate prayers build to a crescendo. When Cassandra’s plans to save one of her best and brightest students fall apart, she renounces her vows, and is left to pick up the threads of a shocking criminal scandal with roots stretching far beyond the walls of Sainte-Madeleine.

This is a story of faith and betrayal, irreconcilable loyalties, and one courageous woman’s dauntless humanity in the face of institutionalized oppression. Part historical fiction and part mystery, with the atmosphere of a noir thriller, Day of Epiphany underscores a transformative moment in Canadian history.

366 pages, Paperback

Published October 21, 2024

About the author

Jerome J Bourgault is an author, actor, and visual artist living in Toronto, Ontario. Educated as an anthropologist with field experience in Kenya, Jerome’s main interests orbit the binary system of science and history. His second novel, Day of Epiphany, won the 2025 Whistler Independent Book Award for fiction. Jerome's debut novel The Perpetual Now has received numerous critical accolades, including the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for Science Fiction, https://bestindiebookaward.com/live/p.... It also made the short list for the Eric Hoffer Awards Grand Prize, was named a finalist for the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award for best debut novel, and was named a finalist in the Cross-Genre category at both the International Book Awards and the National Indie Excellence Awards.

Reviews

[Neena]

Set against Québec’s Grande Noirceur—the Great Darkness, Bourgault’s latest novel is a haunting exploration of institutional corruption and systemic abuse through the lens of the Duplessis Orphans scandal. Sister Cassandra Lalonde, reclassified from teacher to nurse, watches helplessly as her students are falsely labeled psychiatric patients and subjected to horrific abuse. Alone against the Catholic Church, Duplessis’ authoritarian government, and medical authorities, Cassandra’s desperate attempts to protect the children lead to drastic consequences and a shocking criminal revelation.

Bourgault’s sharp, compassionate prose skillfully captures the claustrophobic dread of Sainte-Madeleine’s walls. Sandra’s transformation from obedient nun to guilt-ridden truth-teller anchors the novel’s emotional weight, while Father Normand’s arc reflects Québec’s struggle between silence and accountability. Diane’s fractured memories and her relationships with the other orphans—Eleanora, mysterious and defiant; Suzanne, fueled by rage; and Hélène, clinging to fragile hope—add emotional depth to the bleak setting.

Alternating between past and present, the narrative unflinchingly delves into falsified records, coerced adoptions, and institutional complicity, painting a damning yet humanized picture of a forgotten tragedy. The confession booth scene between Sandra and Normand—an intimate reckoning with complicity and moral decay—reverberates throughout the story.

Bourgault’s writing is raw yet deeply compassionate. He avoids gratuitous depictions of violence, relying instead on evocative details to convey the trauma endured by his characters. Scenes of quiet rebellion—like orphans sneaking cookies from the pantry—offer moments of levity against the novel’s heavier themes. Impeccably written, meticulously researched, and rooted in historical detail, this is a masterful exploration of generational trauma, moral reckoning, and the search for justice. Absolutely addictive.

[Scott White]

Day Of Epiphany is compelling reading. While the subject matter of Maurice Duplessis turning orphanages into mental asylums may seem very dark, the book navigates the subject with skill and such richly drawn characters, that one truly wants to find out what will happen next.

The lives of Sister Cassandra, (a morally conflicted nun at the centre of the story), and the young orphans struggling to find a way through their new situation is compelling. Their strength and resilience is astonishing. I felt deeply moved by their stories.

Mr Bourgault has taken a true time in the history of Quebec, and turned it into a fictional imagining of the lives of those most effected, in a way that is impactful. This book will linger for a long time in my mind. It is a fascinating examination of corruption, greed, and ultimately how the human spirit can overcome many things with determination.

A combination of "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" and "Doubt", this novel will leave you turning the pages to see how the story concludes.

Highly recommended if you like drama, literary writing and beautifully realized characters.

[Kibet]

This book is not just a historical novel, it’s an unflinching dive into one of Canada’s darkest chapters. Inspired by the true events of the Duplessis orphans scandal, this book grips you from the start, weaving together real world horror with a deeply personal story of resistance and sacrifice.
Bourgault’s writing is immersive, painting a chilling portrait of the Sainte Madeleine Institute. The hospital setting is oppressive, the injustices gut wrenching, yet the story never loses sight of its humanity. The children, despite their circumstances, are vividly drawn, their resilience making their plight even more heartbreaking. The novel doesn’t rely on shock value, instead, it builds a steady, simmering tension that keeps you emotionally invested until the very last page.
What stands out most is the novel’s ability to balance historical critique with deeply personal stakes. While the backdrop of Québec’s Grande Noirceur looms large, the heart of the story is Cassandra’s unwavering defiance. Her choices carry weight, and the novel doesn’t shy away from exploring the cost of standing up against powerful institutions.

[Virginia]

The characters are very well developed and their complexity brings depth and nuance to a very complicated and conflicting period. His writing masterfully shows the justification and rational of characters in positions of leadership and trust, which differentiates between the characters who see the abuse and neglect as necessary and deserved and those who are taking advantage of people who have no rights or protection. There are beautiful moments of humanity, which are fleeting but provide hope. Indeed, such moments of humanity contribute to a satisfying ending. It is not a happy one because that would be impossible, but there are those who are punished. And, as I neared the ending, I read quicker and quicker and found putting the novel down to be difficult as I wanted to know who would face the consequences of their actions.
Jerome Bourgault has introduced me to a dark chapter in Canada’s history and one which should be more well known. As the justification and rational which deemed some members of society as “other” or not worthy of respect and care, does still exist today.

[Andrew Schneider]

Full disclosure: The author is a friend and presented me with a copy of this book as a gift.

It has been a long time since I’ve read a work of fiction as deeply affecting, thought provoking, and unnerving as “Day of Epiphany.” The work is set against the backdrop of a truly horrific period of Quebec’s history, when a Catholic conservative government condemned countless orphans living in church-run orphanages to reclassification as mental patients. To call their subsequent treatment barbaric would be an understatement. As one of Bourgault’s characters puts it, cruelty was the point. The subject matter alone would have made this a difficult read. That the characters who suffer through this hellscape are so richly drawn makes it all the harder. But the memory of these orphans deserves the champion they’ve found in Bourgault.

[Trevor Atkins]

I have never read a book while being so angry before. Knowing that "The Day of Epiphany" is historical fiction, set in a reprehensible period of Canadian history, only prodded me all the more. I highly credit the author for drawing out that primal reaction while still challenging me to examine the story and characters through the lens of certain cultural realities of the time. I must also thank the author for wading through all of the awful details of the time and place, so someone like me, who knew nothing about Québec’s Grande Noirceur (Great Darkness) from school or otherwise, could learn of this terribleness in such a digestible format. The flawed characters surrounding these unfortunate children resonated and felt most real. Their story was engaging and well written with a variety of threads to follow, and a dark mystery to solve at the end.

[Phin Ejike]

This book is a gripping science fiction story with some inspirations from psychological thrillers. Set against the backdrop of Québec’s Grande Noirceur, the book follows Sister Cassandra Lalonde, a teacher at Sainte-Madeleine orphanage, who is forced into nursing as her students are falsely labeled psychiatric patients. Determined to protect them, she uncovers institutional corruption and a shocking criminal scandal.

The novel masterfully explores faith, betrayal, and moral reckoning. Bourgault’s sharp prose and meticulous research create a gripping historical mystery with the atmosphere of a noir thriller. A haunting tale of courage and justice, Day of Epiphany is a powerful examination of systemic abuse and one woman’s relentless fight for truth.

[Meghan]

Jerome J. Bourgault’s Day of Epiphany presents a thought-provoking concept with deep philosophical undertones. The book explores themes of faith and betrayal, offering moments of irreconcilable loyalties. However, the pacing feels slow at times, making it a bit difficult to stay fully engaged. While Bourgault’s writing is poetic and mysterious, some sections were too intense making it difficult to maintain momentum. Readers who enjoy historical fiction and mysteries will appreciate the book’s depth, but those looking for a more dynamic storyline may find it challenging. Overall, it’s an intriguing read with meaningful themes but requires a high graphic tolerance.

[Peter Fenton]

Jerome J Bourgault is a masterful writer. His novel The Day of Epiphany is a beautifully crafted historical story based on true, tragic, events. Unspooling like a fine mystery novel with surprises at every turn, this book twists and turns its way to a satisfying end. Once I began reading it, I couldn’t put it down.