In New Brunswick's Hopewell Cape Court House, a sensational turn-of-the-century trial put young immigrant Tom Collins in the prisoner's dock, charged with the grisly murder of Mary Ann McAuley, housekeeper to the parish priest. He was tried 3 times for the same crime, and was found guilty. Many people believed in his innocence and that his conviction was a mistrial of justice.

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. Visit the Albert County Museum to where Collins was placed in jail, tried, convicted and ultimately hung for his crime.