Raising Roger's Cross

by Charles Kunkel

Roger Vaillancourt was brutally murdered in a Minnesota cornfield 48 years ago. Until now, the silence surrounding his bizarre death has been deafening. Finally, through family, friends, and one priest's tireless investigation, the story of Roger Vaillancourt's gruesome death will be told... After a night of drinking and bizarre sexual teasing at The Kitten Club on October 6, 1957, in Mille Lacs County, MN, Roger Vaillancourt, 17, was allegedly hit by a car. His subsequent death was ruled accidental. Many people in the community knew more about Roger's death but remained silent due to fears of retaliation. The story has been buried for 48 years...until now. More than just a story of torture, sex, murder, and an official cover-up, Raising Roger's Cross is a spiritual journey of reverence and healing. "Roger's winning smile and life were brutally taken away from his family and friends in 1957. His death and the way it was handled have affected his family and many others throughout the years. It is time for justice and healing to take place." JUDY FERNHOLZ , Roger Vaillancourt's sister

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published September 2, 2005

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book 13+ years ago; a friend borrowed me her copy. I am always haunted by it whenever I'm driving back and forth on 169 between my hometown and relocation up north. I wanted to reread the story but copies were very limited and expensive. Finally found a copy online.

The story is a bit redundant and the author isn't a skilled literary writer, but the point is-he's telling the story and the many possible truths based upon interviews with many people said to either have been involved or witnesses. After a while, it is hard to determine what are actual facts, or hypotheses of what might have happened between the little told truths, invented details or just plain, "I don't remember...", but nonetheless what happened in this small central Minnesota town in 1957 is unfathomable. What's even more disturbing is the scandal and coverup of a 17 year old's gruesome murder. The idea that the witnesses were so fearful of the perp for 48 years that they either made up lies or wouldn't speak at all is incomprehensible. How did these folks sleep at night keeping these secrets their entire lives?-and let a murderer and bully live freely as though nothing happened all these years? A real tragedy.

[Paul Rank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it and so does a famous team of directors... Could make it to the big screen.

[Laurie]

I was expecting a good murder mystery and was very disappointed. The author kept repeating himself in the same paragraphs. I had to force myself to finish the book. Really didn't like this book.

[C.C. Yager · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book when it first came out in 2005. There was an article in the newspaper about it that I cut out and put in the back of the book when it arrived. Then I put it in my bookshelf and forgot about it until this spring. This, sadly, was a waste of my money. It's rare for me to say that about a book because I can usually find something good to write in a review.

I started reading this book with the expectation that the author would describe the police investigation into the teen's death, and if there was no police investigation, to describe an investigation into that lack that brought forth facts. But this book is full of speculation and rumor repeated over and over and over, lots of questions with no answers, and the saddest of all, no help to bring truth to what happened to Roger Vaillancourt. I felt terrible for his family. The author didn't consult experts in police procedure, in forensics, in forensic psychology, or anything else that may have blown away the thick cobwebs of speculation. It's so sad that the author succumbed to his own speculations about what happened, the people involved, and the motivations because he was not qualified to do so. There was no evidence. There was no investigation. I guess I would have wanted to know more about why there was no official police investigation. The author blames that on Roger's father, but I don't believe that. There were four police agencies involved -- state, 2 counties, and the local jurisdiction.

Anyway, I do NOT recommend this book to anyone. Stay away from it.

[BL]

Ummmm, what? I was interested in this story because I grew up an hour away from where the murder took place ,but had never heard anything about it. This is wildly speculative and the writing is terrible. There has to be some factual parts in the story but they are hard to determine. Charles Kunkel has some weird sexual fantasies. He came up with a lot weird sexual abuse that may or may not have happened. He seemed to enjoy going over the topic repeatedly. He even referred to Roger “ riding the yellow scooter” as a way to explain sexual encounters that probably didn’t happen. I feel terrible for the families of all involved or that were brought into this account by speciation. How could this possibly give healing??? I only skimmed the second half it was all repeating the first half over again with a few more details added anyway. I googled Roger and
that is more interesting and factual. Poor Roger I hate that he’s been used by some weird priest for his sick fascination.

[Tanya Logan-Kroska · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story - small town Foley, MN. Good read but it is clear, the person who wrote the book has no experience in writing novels. Was tough to understand and the jumping around made me "pause"... The author "changed the names" because people are/were still alive. If you know any old-timers from Foley you will be able to figure out who is who and who did what!!!!! Book is no longer in print - difficult to get.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a Minnesotan, I was interested in this book as its location is near my hometown. This was a disappointing book, however, Some stories will never have their truths revealed. This is one of those stories. Kunkel fills the pages of the book with phrases such as "could have been," "might have been," "evidence points to," and many more speculative phrases. This is an important story, but one that will probably never be fully revealed. Writing based on speculation and probabilities does not make for good writing.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this book 4 stars instead of 5 because I felt there were alot of things repeated over & over through the book. Otherwise excellent read and very sad this happened so close by to where I live. What a shame the police never did their job to bring justice to Roger and Roger's Dad wanting things to be kept quiet. Hopefully someone will tell the truth someday but if not... I think those mentioned are all GUILTY!

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read about a really, really atrocious crime. The book was much more concerned with rumors about the crime than anything else -- in fact that was about all the author had to work with -- but he makes his point that this is a situation that needed a thorough investigation starting the day it happened, instead of languishing for 50 years. The writing was odd and clumsy, but effective in its own way.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tough read due to the gruesome behavior of some hooligans in 1957, maybe. The truth is buried within a probable cover up of the death of Roger Villaincourt. I wish I really knew what was fact and what is only rumor. Something awful happened to that boy, and no one will likely ever know the truth. Maybe it's better not to know.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very sad and tragic story that needs to be told. Unfortunately, the book needed a good editor to help explain and clarify the stories as told to the author. The writing often got "in the way" of the story.

[Barb D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. Apparently I have a relative who is related to one of the alleged perpetrators.

[Jeannie]

This book really creeped me out! To think we live among people who know what happened and wouldn't settle this! It makes me wonder about everyone about that age in town!

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very chilling story of a young man that died in 1957. In 2005 when the author wrote the book his death was "investigated" and was declared a murder.