Two Crows Sorrow: Love and Death on the North Mountain

by Laura Churchill Duke, Andrew Wetmore (Editor)

Quiet little Burlington, high on Nova Scotia’s North Mountain. In 1904, it was home to hard-working people, passionate lovers, tangled family relations, and a murderer. Journalist Wendy Elliott writes, "Theresa McAuley Robinson’s memory was almost obliterated. Theresa represents many innocent women. Churchill Duke tells an exciting story that allows someone who might be termed an exemplary farmwife and mother to represent so many women then and now.” Wendy Robicheau, Archivist at Acadia University, adds, “The details spoke to my imagination, I needed to visit the sites—to be in the spaces and fill my senses. I love it when words on a page come alive, compelling me to acknowledge our ancestors.”

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Canada, Crime

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2019

About the author

Laura is the author of Two Crows Sorrow: Love and Death on the North Mountain. This is a creative non-fiction story about the true murder of Theresa McAuley Robinson in Nova Scotia in 1904.
Two Crows Sorrow won the 2020 bronze award for creative non-fiction by the Miramichi Reader.

When not writing, Laura is a communication specialist and journalist in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada. She also teaches communication in the Kinesiology Department at Acadia University.

Laura is a freelance journalist for Saltwire Network, writing stories for newspapers across Atlantic Canada. She can also be heard as the Kentville community contact on CBC Radio, Information Morning.

When not writing, Laura works as a professional home organizer with Your Last Resort and loves to travel and hike, and is always up for an adventure!

For more information, visit https://laurachurchillduke.ca

Reviews

[Sue Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel ‘Two Crows Sorrow; Love and Death on the North Mountain’ by Laura Churchill Duke was presented at Dartmouth Book Exchange’s book club this week as a definite “Must Read” for locally Authored books. So I took the challenge and brought home it home with me to read.

This Creative Historical Non-Fiction novel is based on the true-life story of Theresa Balsor McAuley Robinson. The story is drawn from trial transcripts, personal letters, newspaper clippings, and many hours of research. The author then developed a well-written, chair gripping story from her research. In fact, I read the story from cover to cover in just 2 sittings.

The novel brought the valley of Nova Scotia, in 1904, into detailed life, with the descriptions of the new Kentville courthouse with actual electricity and lighting, the modes of transportation of the times, with the train bringing people up and down the valley, and the limited forensic science of the times, and I could go on. History buffs will love this story. It even contains newspaper clippings and images of the time.

This story made you think about how domestic abuse and violence against women may have been covered up a century or more ago and what could have been and most likely had been, gotten away with.

I am pleased that Laura Churchill Duke spent the time to research this tragedy and write Theresa’s story, a story that may have been lost to time if she hadn’t put pen to paper.

[George Ilsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novelized version of events that took place in 1904, just up the road from where I live now in Nova Scotia. There was a murder, and a trial.

Wasn't quite sure how much I would've appreciated learning about this tragic story if the setting wasn't so close by. The backstory drags a bit, but once the trial starts momentum builds.

The murder was gross enough, but near the conclusion of this matter, something else happens which is also startling. But enough said about that (for now).

[Sharon Churchill Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have time to read about one book a year, and I am glad Two Crows Sorrow was the one! A gripping plot carved into the rugged landscape above the Annapolis Valley! The people and places came alive off the page. I felt part of this austere rural lifestyle for a short time - but certainly glad I'm not!

[Lori Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the first time in a long time I got lost in a book without being distracted by life. I started reading Two Crows Sorrow and knew right away I wouldn't want to put it down until the end. I could feel myself sweating in the hot crowded courthouse during the summer of 1904 wondering, like everyone else present, about the outcome.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
In 1904, a gruesome murder took place on Nova Scotia's North Mountain in the small community of Burlington. Burlington was home to hard-working people, passionate lovers, tangled family relations, and a murderer. This is a creative non-fiction story about the true murder of Theresa McAuley Robinson in Nova Scotia in 1904.
Thanks to my good friend Linda for letting me borrow her copy of this book to read. 4.5 stars

[Lyn Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Two Crows Sorrow" is the most compelling book I have read in a long while. Subtitled “Love and Death on the North Mountain,” it is based on the true story of Theresa McAuley Robinson of Burlington, Nova Scotia, and her second husband, who was charged with her murder in 1904. As stated on p 205, murder cases are simultaneously appalling and appealing to the public, and this one is certainly both. By page 88, I was struck so viscerally my body was trembling inside, such was my fear of William Robinson. I am grateful to the author for bringing their story to life.

Much of the book takes place in the Kentville Courthouse, surprising me with the perceived necessity of an inquest to decide whether Theresa had died of natural causes: the most appalling part of the story may have been the primitive forensic practices of the time. Although I know the status of women improved immeasurably in the last century, the book brought home the breadth of male privilege existing when my grandmothers were children. Despite the workload of a farm wife, no one realized women held up half the sky. Be forewarned, this is a devastating story, a tale of horror, but a book perhaps any reader will find difficult to put down.

Most appealing were the few illustrations from primary sources, and the faded photographs of the principal characters helped make the story as real as it is. Theresa’s photo especially gave me pause. At first glance I saw her in old-fashioned, body-disguising clothes, hair tied in a snood, but I spent some time looking into her timeless face. I see Everywoman in her eyes.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book by local author Laura Churchill-Duke and it did not disappoint!
I loved reading about the Valley in 1904; the struggles, the tight knit community life and the descriptions of the area.
When you close the cover of this book, Theresa's story will not be left there in the pages, she'll stay with you...

PS. The cover - picture and colours perfect!

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book cover-to-cover in a single day. If this had been a pure fiction book, Theresa would have been a compelling character quite ahead of her time and, I'm sure, destined for a satisfying life...but it is based on a real-life event and real-life seldom works that way. Instead, Theresa's story is complex, strong but tragic and speaks to just how tenuous life was for women in that time period. The author captured that beautifully.

[Janet Gillies]

A great story with great attention to detail of historical events in the Annapolis Valley. A mystery like none other. It draws you in quickly and and will keep your attention until the last page . Having lived in Kentville , the names and places in this story are very much part of the town and community. A must read , certainly for any local . Well done

[Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. Burlington, NS, of all places. And to think, this book is based on true events!

Narration by Candy O’Brien was great, even though the sound quality was not the best. Easily forgivable.

I would recommend this book to any Maritimer who enjoys (or can at least sit through) lengthy legal trials, murder, deception, and simple country living. Well, maybe not always so simple.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, to read this true story of a brutal murder in our little part of the province was quite something. Very interesting for anyone in the Annapolis valley area, and makes me want to visit the Kentville museum that was the former courthouse where this trial took place. Will recommend to local friends!

[David Butters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have visited Nova Scotia and was intrigued when I found this book as I knew some of the locations, such as Kentville. The author describes it as a non-fiction novel, by which she means that the events portrayed actually happened but by developing the characters and conjuring up conversations she has enhanced what could have been a dry chronicle and made it into an exciting and readable tale.
Tampering in this way with historical events and personalities can be dangerous and go horribly wrong. But in this case the author has handled the enhancements with evident care and the results work amazingly well and really bring the story to life.
This is a tragic and grizzly story, even horrific at times, but brilliantly told. The interest never flags, the suspense holds up throughout the work. I always thought of the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia as a quiet, picturesque, friendly area. It obviously hasn't always been like that! I shall re-read this book and look forward to visiting the locations next time I am in Nova Scotia. Thoroughly recommended.

[Valerie Despres · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend lent me this book to read because she thought I would enjoy it. Well I certainly did enjoy it and also enjoyed learning about the history of the north mountain and the people who lived there. Absolutely astonishing to to be reminded about how tough it was for women 100 years ago! My how things have changed since then, thank goodness. Great read. Highly recommend. I think I will look for more books by this author.

[Jen Robley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Crows Sorrow had such an impact . I had to let it settle in a bit before I wrote a review. There are just no words to explain how the main character’s life and death and all the events in between and surrounding her ,really hit me. Perhaps because I had been oblivious to her story despite having lived here for over twenty years. Thank you for bringing her story to life.
I’ve been on a fabulous book streak lately but this one will stay with me for years to come.

[Mandi M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good read. I was hesitant at first as it was based in the 1900s but as it was a local story (although embellished at times) it was very interesting to read about the way of life then. It’s also very fascinating to this day that they still honor Theresa’s memory. It would be riveting with this day and age of DNA testing and forensics and the like to know if William really did indeed murder her (which seems probable as he appears to be not kind).

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's historical fiction, which is my favourite. It was an easy read and kept me wanting to find out what would take place. I also learned some local history that I had never known before. Reading it also makes me feel fortunate to be a woman now and not then.

[Jim Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling read about a grisly murder in 1904 Nova Scotia. The author has constructed a good story around the known facts of the event. Great courtroom drama, too.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, I did not love it. I did not get lost in it, nor did I find it gripping until the final courtroom scenes. It was difficult for me to connect with the characters; they felt a little underdeveloped, but perhaps difficult to develop with real people and only letter, transcripts to work from. The author did a fantastic job of capturing the time period and life in the Annapolis Valley.

[Jaylene Epifano · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was incredible. I couldn’t put it down the whole time. The author is extremely talented and really educated me on the Teresa Macaulay Robinson case.
it was twist after twist and extremely well written. ending with William Robinson being hung. it was never boring, but I did find that some scenes went on a little long and didn’t need to have as much detail but I find that is just a personal opinion because it definitely did add something.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not something I would have picked up myself to read. I was loaned the book by a coworker who was from the area and felt obliged to read it.
It was an interesting enough story and I was sad to learn it was based on true events.
3/5 stars

[Ronan O'Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent local history told in a compelling narrative

[Calliope Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written! I could picture the scenery, buildings, and people as I read. Definitely recommend this to anyone interested in Nova Scotia history with literary flair.

[Heidi Rushton]

This shocking and true story of Theresa McAuley Robinson's life and death will haunt you long after you finish the last page. Duke lays out the facts for us in engaging storytelling that will have you, as the reader, pulled right into the pages. The court case of her husband, the accused, was particularly vivid and will keep you wondering how things will turn out, right up to the end. Set in Kentville, Nova Scotia in the early 1900s.

[Andrewtolson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Annapolis Valley is a lush and beautiful part of Nova Scotia, but among the bountiful orchards and sprawling farms are dark secrets, as brilliantly portrayed in Laura Churchill Duke’s historical drama, Two Crows Sorrow: Love and Death on the North Mountain. Set in 1904, the true story of Theresa McAuley Robinson has elements of gothic and Grisham, beginning as a murder mystery and concluding as a gripping courtroom drama. Quirky small-town characters populate the narrative, and in many cases help tell the story, but it’s Teresa’s struggles against her brute of a husband and her tragic death that readers will find the most compelling. If you love meticulously researched historical true-crime, this book will not disappoint.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Crows Sorrow hits close to home. I once spent a summer working for the church and community centre in Burlington, Nova Scotia. I loved the friendly people and laid-back atmosphere. I would never have guessed that something as horrific as this story had happened there. Drawing from newspaper accounts, transcripts and historical documents, the story of Theresa's death is both haunting and beautifully told. Readers who know the area will be fascinated by the familiar streets and surnames of those involved, but the harsh reality of what happened hits at a much deeper level. A great book based on a tragic loss.

[Nicole Lecky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book as a gift from a family member in Annapolis Royal. I can’t say I would have purchased it myself and I don’t tend to be drawn to local interest...but I would have missed out. I couldn’t put the book down. The area and dialect are familiar to me and I thoroughly enjoyed the historical based story told here. Any liberties take by the author don’t seem to have hurt the story in the least. I will be loaning this out encouraging others to read the Theresa MacAuley-Robinson story.

[Sally Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally could not put this book down. The story line was so captivating that you just had to keep reading to see how it ended. Chapter by chapter her writing style and expressive wording pulled you deeper and deeper into the story line. I read this book in a little better than a day , and I would have read it in one day but I had to sleep.,,, it was that good. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a fantastic plot with twists and turns that les e you craving more. When the book ended I was sorry it did, I wanted more.

[Mj Amirault · Rating 4 out of 5]

An delightful read about a murder in the Annapolis valley in the early 1900’s. Very interesting how basic the investigation was in those days. It makes one wonder how many people were wrongly accused and how many actually “ got away with murder”!!
I related to this particular book because I live in Kentville where the trial took place. The author was limited by sticking to the facts as she was able to discover them, but did a good job of making this an interesting and enjoyable read.

[Dicey100 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deep dive into a little-known tragedy that took place in 1904 on the North Mountain, in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Theresa McAulay Robinson's kindness and generosity were brought to life for me through the author's writing skill and research. Indeed, I was astounded that such a brutal and horrific crime was perpetrated on such a beautiful and peaceful soul, whose only crime was to follow her truth in an age when women's independent thoughts and actions were not respected.

[Derrick Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this read. I am not a big history buff but enjoy true crime stories such as this that are well written based upon true happenings.

Recommend this to others.

I got this book based on the Crow series rhyme. If you enjoy stories built on this style of reading I would suggest the Vernon Oickle Crow series books based in Liverpool.

This Derrick