The Rectory Murder: The Mysterious Crime that Shocked Turn-of-the-Century New Brunswick

by Kenneth Saunders

In New Brunswick's Hopewell Cape courthouse a sensational turn-of-the-century trial put young, handsome Tom Collins in the prisoner's dock, charged with the grisly murder of Mary Ann McAuley, housekeeper to the parish priest.
Author Kenneth Saunders focuses on this story to present a vivid picture of New Brunswick rural society in the early 1900s. Looking at the events of the murder and the trial through the eyes of farmers, tradesmen, clergy, town officials, police and the notorious hangman Jon Radclive, Saunders makes their voices sound so real, so genuine that they seem to be with us still.
The Rectory Murder presents a vivid portrait of a grisly crime, and of its widespread effects on an otherwise peaceful rural community.

302 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

New to the area of Fundy and learning the history.
Many people talk about the Tom Collins trials and the murder of Mary Ann McAuley.
I found this book was well done, researched and incorporated excerpts from primary sources of the time.
Fascinating look at early 1900s in Fundy , major players and the way the court system worked back then.
Thanks to a local friend for the referral.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way it jumped around sometimes when going from third to first person perspective was a bit jarring at times, but this was well written and laid out the story and crime well.

[Erin Doney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it to my class as a project for local history and this book tied it all together perfectly! It's an excellent piece that kept us on the edge of our seats. Great story telling and account of what happened.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good non fiction NB story.

[Brenda Brideau]

Great historical recount of local murder at the turn of the 19th century