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Cursed! Blood of the Donnellys: A Novel Based on a True Story
In the midst of the feuds and famine of Tipperary, Ireland in 1846, Jim Donnelly and Johannah McGee fall passionately in love. She is the beautiful daughter of an affluent estate manager, he the rebellious son of dispossessed peasants. With her father’s men in pursuit and a sizable price on Jim’s head, they board a ship set for Canada to start a new life and put the troubles of the old country behind them.
Thousands of miles away in rural Ontario, they find the feuds and vendettas of Ireland are very much alive. Jim must make a place for his young family not just with his back, but with his fists.
Fifteen years later, the Donnelly family have become one of the most powerful in Lucan Township, loved by some and hated by others. Jim and Johannah’s sons are notorious as both fighters and lovers and torment the townspeople, swinging shillelaghs, burning barns and seducing daughters.
But certain citizens of Lucan have had enough. At midnight on February 3, 1880, a mob of thirty armed men in women’s clothing and carnival masks ride out for the Donnelly farm. Sustained by whisky and the blessings of the local priest, their goal is to wipe the Donnelly family from the face of the earth. Yet there is an eye witness and during the trial that follows, it becomes clear that in small town Ontario of the late 1800s, order is valued above truth.
Eventful and conveyed with cinematic detail, Cursed! Blood of the Donnellys is an engaging and historically enlightening read.
Thousands of miles away in rural Ontario, they find the feuds and vendettas of Ireland are very much alive. Jim must make a place for his young family not just with his back, but with his fists.
Fifteen years later, the Donnelly family have become one of the most powerful in Lucan Township, loved by some and hated by others. Jim and Johannah’s sons are notorious as both fighters and lovers and torment the townspeople, swinging shillelaghs, burning barns and seducing daughters.
But certain citizens of Lucan have had enough. At midnight on February 3, 1880, a mob of thirty armed men in women’s clothing and carnival masks ride out for the Donnelly farm. Sustained by whisky and the blessings of the local priest, their goal is to wipe the Donnelly family from the face of the earth. Yet there is an eye witness and during the trial that follows, it becomes clear that in small town Ontario of the late 1800s, order is valued above truth.
Eventful and conveyed with cinematic detail, Cursed! Blood of the Donnellys is an engaging and historically enlightening read.
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2019
9 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Keith Ross Leckie
4 books23 followersKeith was born in Toronto, Ontario on April 26, 1952. He lives in Toronto with his wife Mary. They have three adult children. Keith has worked as a novelist, screenwriter and director after a brief career as a cabbie. His third novel, “Cursed! Blood of the Donnellys” will be published on Sept. 28, 2019. The next novel, “The American Problem”, inspired by his experiences imbedded with Canadian forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2009, is nearing completion and “Coppermine” published in 2011 has been optioned as a Feature Film. His time is spent between Toronto, on a little jewel of a lake in the Kawartha Highland north of Peterborough and on Angel, a sailboat in the Bahamas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 5, 2020
What an absolute page turner! I was lucky enough to win this book on Goodreads and it was an absolutely thrilling read. I grew up in rural Ontario near Lucan and had heard rumblings of the Black Donnelly's but I had know idea what a crazy tale it was.
Based on a true story, this novel will keep you turning the pages late into the night. I highly recommend this novel!
Based on a true story, this novel will keep you turning the pages late into the night. I highly recommend this novel!
October 14, 2019
This is the best of Fiction and History! The build up to the story that has appeared in many other books and films gives the story so much of a foundation. Very well written and very accurate to the events world wide at the time! Really want to read more by Mr. Leckie as his style keeps you turning the pages.
October 12, 2020
I had heard about the massacre of the Black Donnellys of southern Ontario but didn’t know the details. This was a fantastic although fairly depressing read.
May 27, 2020
Really wasn't sure what to make of this book, but it was an excellent read. I wish I knew what was truth and what was fiction in it, but I don't know enough of the real Donnelly story to know. I will do more reading and research now though! I've lived in London and area for 30 years. It's time for a real visit to Lucan (when it's safe to do so anyway!)
October 27, 2019
Cursed! is a real page turner. This is the best of history in Canada. Keith Leckie has an
intriquing writing style. I couldn't put it down.
intriquing writing style. I couldn't put it down.
March 21, 2020
Interesting story that flows well. Writing style is hyperbolic at times and repetitive. Worth it for the tale but can be grating.
December 8, 2021
A very enthusiastic 5 Stars!!
What a GREAT story!! Ten years ago, I read Leckie's second book, "Coppermine," and loved it (5 stars)! I've been waiting for him to write another book...and "Cursed!" does not disappoint!
Based on actual events, the story follows the Donnelly family as they leave Ireland to start a new life in Canada, only to bring with them/have follow them, the hatreds and grievances of the past. Gripping, heart-wrenching, horrific...couldn't put it down!
Fortunately for readers, after a long and highly successful career as a screenwriter, Mr. Leckie is now devoting his full attention to writing novels. I can't wait for the next one!
What a GREAT story!! Ten years ago, I read Leckie's second book, "Coppermine," and loved it (5 stars)! I've been waiting for him to write another book...and "Cursed!" does not disappoint!
Based on actual events, the story follows the Donnelly family as they leave Ireland to start a new life in Canada, only to bring with them/have follow them, the hatreds and grievances of the past. Gripping, heart-wrenching, horrific...couldn't put it down!
Fortunately for readers, after a long and highly successful career as a screenwriter, Mr. Leckie is now devoting his full attention to writing novels. I can't wait for the next one!
February 26, 2021
Well that certainly added ‘the tea’ to the history that I knew! Vigilante-The Play was at The Grand Theatre in London Ontario in 2017 I think. It was told in this same style &, like this book, I really enjoyed getting to know more about each character. This is the 1st time I’ve learned about more than the barest details of the Donnelly’s before they arrived in Canada.
Spoiler ahead:
At the end, I was surprised to learn that William had a hotel in Appin & Jennie lived in Glencoe, both just minutes from where I live.
Spoiler ahead:
At the end, I was surprised to learn that William had a hotel in Appin & Jennie lived in Glencoe, both just minutes from where I live.
July 12, 2020
An interesting read into the history and politics of the time.
February 8, 2024
Cursed! Blood of the Donnellys: A Novel Based on a True Story
Keith Ross Leckie
This is a story of vigilante justice meted out when the law failed to protect citizens from feuding neighbours.
The massacre took place in 1880 and was written about in books I read published in 1954 and again in 1962. This latest account is four years old. Obviously none of the principals are still around to argue the facts.
People were killed here but when it comes to warfare truth is in the eye of the beholder and depends on who is telling the tale.
At the one third point in the novel the couple are on the run at sea in a tramp freighter having burned their bridges behind them.
After squatting on another’s property the Donnellys enjoy 7 good years save for the death of young Vinnie in a stump clearing tragedy and Johannah produces 7 sons. With 2 months before the end of the 7-year term the owner shows up to claim the land the Donnelly’s have worked so hard to clear and improve and the troubles begin at the half-way point in the book.
And the neighbours choose sides. The Protestants an obvious choice but Johannah’s friendhip with a Protestant Doctor a bone of contention. Pity the poor old County Sheriff.
Little love lost here and only vigilante justice. Young John O’Connor gets to spit on the grave of the last member of the Peace Society.
Keith Ross Leckie
This is a story of vigilante justice meted out when the law failed to protect citizens from feuding neighbours.
The massacre took place in 1880 and was written about in books I read published in 1954 and again in 1962. This latest account is four years old. Obviously none of the principals are still around to argue the facts.
People were killed here but when it comes to warfare truth is in the eye of the beholder and depends on who is telling the tale.
At the one third point in the novel the couple are on the run at sea in a tramp freighter having burned their bridges behind them.
After squatting on another’s property the Donnellys enjoy 7 good years save for the death of young Vinnie in a stump clearing tragedy and Johannah produces 7 sons. With 2 months before the end of the 7-year term the owner shows up to claim the land the Donnelly’s have worked so hard to clear and improve and the troubles begin at the half-way point in the book.
And the neighbours choose sides. The Protestants an obvious choice but Johannah’s friendhip with a Protestant Doctor a bone of contention. Pity the poor old County Sheriff.
Little love lost here and only vigilante justice. Young John O’Connor gets to spit on the grave of the last member of the Peace Society.
March 31, 2020
I’d grown up in SW Ontario and had heard of the ‘Black Donnellys’ of Lucan but not really known the story. Now I do! This is a fascinating story of the Donnellys’ life in Ireland before Jim and Johanna Donnelly fled Tipperary to come to Canada for a better life in the 1800s and how they tried to create a better life for their children in Lucan. This is not a one sided story of innocent people being harassed but it’s a story of violence, revenge, religious biases and eventually a very rigged murder trial.
February 14, 2020
There is a bit of artistic licence, but well researched and very plausible.
I became aware of “Black Donnelly’s” of Lucan when I attended a nearby agricultural college numerous decades ago.
It bugged me that the Donnelly’s used Arabian horses to pull their stagecoach. Arabian horse’s wouldn’t have been used. That is the only thing I didn’t like about the story.
Thank you to the publishers for giving away a copy in Goodreads.
I became aware of “Black Donnelly’s” of Lucan when I attended a nearby agricultural college numerous decades ago.
It bugged me that the Donnelly’s used Arabian horses to pull their stagecoach. Arabian horse’s wouldn’t have been used. That is the only thing I didn’t like about the story.
Thank you to the publishers for giving away a copy in Goodreads.
May 4, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the story of the infamous Donnellys. Leckie imagines how things might have been for unlucky immigrants and how they might have come to their inglorious deaths. He provides a richer tale than the versions we read as students in school learning about local history, and shows the reader how a person who believes himself and his family to be cursed, in the end curses himself and creates his own destiny.
February 23, 2020
Informative and engaging tale of a family who made many enemies during their struggles in rural Upper Canada. Irish immigrants Johannah and Jim Donnelly fight to prosper while expanding their family and holdings. Told in flashbacks and remembered stories of the witness to the infamous massacre. A few surprises and violent revelations that were not taught in school.
August 22, 2020
I’ve heard of the curse of the Donnellys but I wasn’t familiar with their story. This novel about them is well written and I assume well researched. Unfortunately I didn’t find any of the Donnellys (parents, 7 sons, 1 daughter) very likable - easily angered, vengeful, a bit too quick to use their fists or guns. It’s not surprising that they couldn’t get along with their neighbours.
July 14, 2021
I couldn’t put this book down! It was so compelling and well written. Based on the true story of the Donnelly family which I had heard about most of my life but didn’t really know what happened. I was shocked and appalled at the crazy goings-on as the author made the characters come alive in the mid 18th century world.
February 2, 2024
A friend offered this book to me to read and I am happy she did. It was a great historical fiction book and definitely a page turner. I have known about the Donnelly family but was not totally familiar with the story of how they came from Ireland and settled into the Lucan, Ontario region which is just outside of London, Ontario.
November 28, 2019
Keith Ross Leckie does a fantastic job at taking an old story and breathing new life into it. The characters are well defined and their motivations credible and relevant to today's audience. This was a page turner. Would recommend for YA+
May 31, 2020
What an amazing story! The Donnely's characters are from Canada's history; hard working immigrates from Ireland but the back-bone of what makes Canada great. I'm more of a visual reader, and can see this book as a movie, just similar to 'Far & Away'. Great job Mr. Leckie. Thanks
December 21, 2019
Excellent!!
February 16, 2020
I currently live on the Roman Line in Lucan, Ontario. Very interesting to hear about the past. Easy to read and kept me up at night reading. Great book!
March 10, 2020
What a fascinating book!Stayed up til 3am finishing it.
March 15, 2020
Really good story based on truth. An insight to Canadian history based on the Irish immigration of the Donnelly family. Ruthless at times but a good read.
May 13, 2020
I’ve lived in London for many years now and never knew their story. Wow this was a good read. Sad but so good!
September 18, 2020
Riveting and real! A huge tale and a page turner!!
September 7, 2021
This book kept me interested from cover to cover. Begs the question… is our path preordained?
September 24, 2021
This is a fictional book not based on your events. It is do hard to wrap my head around the reality of some of there's events.
October 25, 2021
Wow!!!!! This was a great book, true story set in fiction set in Lucan, Ontario north of London.
February 13, 2022
Good read but would have liked more accuracy.
March 8, 2022
Read my review here: https://mightypensharpsword.wordpress...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews