The Donnellys Must Die

by Orlo Miller, Hanson Orlo Miller

From the annals of Canadian true crime, the story of The Black Donnellys massacre Ancient feuds, bloody conspiracy, gruesome murder, and bitter controversy—all shrouded in a seemingly impenetrable cloak of mystery. This is the tale of "The Black Donnellys"—a notorious family of Irish settlers who were viciously attacked while they slept in their Lucan, Ontario farmhouse on February 4, 1880. Here, in this definitive account of this sordid episode in Canadian history, first published in 1962 and continuously in print since then, author Orlo Miller sets out to separate fact from fiction, and legend from reality, to bring us the truth behind the Donnelly murders. Combining exhaustive research based on contemporary newspaper accounts, court records and personal diaries, with personal insights and dramatic re-creations, Miller's chilling revelations shed new light on this infamous case in the annals of Canadian crime. You will be taken on a journey of terrible bloodlust, unbending loyalties, and fatal revenge in the re-telling of an event whose infamy still lives in popular culture today.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, True Crime, Canada, Historical, Biography, Tv

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the more realistic as Timothy Donnelly was my great uncle. Everyone knew who committed this massacre yet none were ever brought to justice.

[Siobhan Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

This was an interesting summary of the Donnelly case. I read The Black Donnellys a couple years ago, and while it was interesting, it was a very surface-level look at the conflict between the Lucan community/the Donnellys and the events before and after the murder. Miller went into a lot more detail about all of the events leading up to the murder, starting from when the Donnellys arrived in Canada. This really helped to give a lot more context to the murder and how many of the conflicts/crimes attributed to the Donnellys may have been the work of others who were setting them up.

I really enjoyed Miller's use of primary sources throughout, since they really helped to contextualize everything. My biggest problem with the book was that it did drag in some parts. I get that there will be some dry parts to any true story, but there were times when I found myself zoning out as I read and then having to go back and re-read. I'm honestly not sure if this was due to Miller's writing style, or just that there were some really dry parts.

Also, man, did 19th century Irish families have problems choosing names! (If anyone is reading this doesn't know me, hi, my name is Siobhan, I have a fairly decent understanding of the English destruction of the Gaelic language/names, this is being said in jest). But every character seemed to be named William, James, John or Patrick, which made it hard to keep track of who was who and who was alive and who was dead. I was also thrown off repeatedly by Donnelly/Connolly/Carroll. So many similar names. A family tree or cast of characters would have been a huge help and would have saved me having to re-read parts over and over again to figure out who was who.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jennifer Rilstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned not to fuck with the Irish. They are vengeful mfers.

[John Findlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a forgotten gem of a book that I had received as a gift many years ago from a relative in Canada, but had never gotten around to reading. Now I wish I had acted on it more quickly! Apparently the story of the Donnellys is well known in Canada, but I had never heard of it before. I found it to be a fascinating story. A feud between two groups of Irish Catholics, the Whiteboys and the Blackfeet, and one group of Irish Protestants, started in Ireland but was carried over into Canada. The end result was a horrendous massacre of most of the members of the Donnelly family, who were blamed for every evil in Lucan, Ontario, regardless of whether they were involved or not. The murderers were a group of Vigilantes who resemble the KKK in America, sworn to secrecy, taking a blood oath, and riding at night. And similar to the KKK in America, it was extremely difficult to prosecute such a large group since they infiltrated much of the community. I found it fascinating that such a feud had existed in Canada, and that such horrendous acts of violence were commonplace. I always enjoy reading about historical events that are outside my standard realm, and this story certainly accomplishes that. I highly recommend this book.

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Donnellys Must Die is a thorough account of the religious-political feud that led to the murders of some of the ill-fated Donnellys of Biddulph, Ontario. I had never read anything about the Donnelly massacre before, so I found it to be a grimly intriguing, but very convoluted story. Orlo Miller was obviously very interested in the many events leading up to the crime, and put a lot of work into learning about the murderers and victims alike. Perhaps the most strange and surprising aspect of this book for me was the rather twisted involvement of Father Connolly, the priest of the community's Catholic church. I would have liked to see a bit more about the role he played in the events leading to the murders. I also wish there were photographs included in the book, because despite it being a true story there were no photographs or visual aids at all.

The Donnellys Must Die is very detail-heavy and a bit confusing, but it is clearly a well-researched account, and worth a try if you have an interest in both history and true crime.

[Tom Ryerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third time I have read this book, first in 1990, then 2011, and now. It is a very well written and articulated work with great details and accuracy. Chronologically speaking, it was the second book written, and was much better reading than 1954's sensationalist book by Thomas P. Kelley which never bothered with any facts. As I'm reading these in order, I now return to T.P. Kelley's second book on the family, 1962's Vengeance of the Black Donnelley's. I'm sure it will be a blast.

[Cindy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a page turner and to understand and learn of true crimes of Canadian History. Politics and religion don't mix and vengeance all true in this book. Irish history it all spilled over in Ontario. Great read.

[Nancy Thormann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read other books about the Donnellys and I like this one the best. It is well researched and well written. It's the most objective book about the Donnellys that I've read so far.

[Kirk Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched book that was very enjoyable to read.

[Henare Gambino · Rating 1 out of 5]

While this novel has an intriguing background, the subject itself was poorly executed.

[Keith B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read and re-read this and many accounts of the Donnelly's since discovering the story back as a kid. My father grew up in the area of Lucan (St. Mary's, Ontario) and the attitudes were pretty much the same back in his day. While we have our own Irish heritage, my Dad was born in Nova Scotia so his family was not part of any of the history here. It's funny how the story still draws me. Would love to see a decently done movie.

[John Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible level of research and analysis for a crime committed so long ago. The history of the London Ont. area in the mid-late 1800s is very interesting - and also included is quite a bit of history about Irish Catholics in Canada (including their immigration from Ireland to Canada, how the wheels were set in motion in Ireland for the Donnely massacre, etc.). Very good reading.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really well researched. It gives the reader a feel of knowing where it all took place. It was a gruesome crime that took place many years ago but is still a good read today. It is hard to say you enjoyed a book that is based on the murder of a family but I did like it and would recommend it to others

[Thomas Ryerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great and detailed account of this misunderstood family from Lucan, ON.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but grizzly.

[Corinna Bechko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of a notorious massacre. Yikes.