Killing Down the Roman Line

by Tim McGregor

You go back far enough, every family’s got blood on its hands.

Three miles down the Roman Line, you’ll find the old Corrigan house, empty for decades, the sight of an unspeakable crime that has been long forgotten. Until now, when a stranger rolls into town claiming to be a long lost Corrigan.

Inviting the locals to a tour of the derelict property, the stranger regales the townsfolk with a gruesome tale of how his family was slaughtered by an armed mob. The murderers, he claims, were the ancestors of everyone assembled before him.

Jeered as a fraud, the man’s claims are dismissed but doubts linger over what happened all those years ago. Dissent grows as the stranger agitates for retribution and long dead feuds reignite. Caught in the middle is Jim Hawkshaw, a struggling farmer living near the old house. As he digs for the truth, Jim is forced to choose sides when the locals decide to take matters into their own hands and punish the outsider for his lies.

While the town prepares for its first heritage festival, a band of vigilantes march on the old Corrigan house to exact revenge but this time... this time the Corrigans are ready for them.

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Canada, Thriller

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2012

About the author

Tim McGregor is an author living in Toronto with his wife and children. And a ghost. A really spiteful ghost.

Reviews

[Amy_Read to My Heart's Content · Rating 4 out of 5]

www.readtomyhearts.blogspot Review:


Wow! This is one of those dark eerie mysteries that make you shudder even as you read it. The past meets the present and it is creepy but very entertaining!
At first when I began reading, I thought this was going to be a ghost story; and in some ways it is, but not with the typical ghostly presence. It is more a like the memories and the past is the ghost that haunts this town and these people.
As I was reading it I felt this deep sense of foreboding (my heart speeds up like I am watching a scary movie-it's a great feeling, scary and tempting) especially when the character, Will Corrigan, shows up. He is rich and happily destroying the townspeople's sense of self importance blasting what he calls the " Corrigan Horrorshow",where he shows the truth of what happened to his ancestors.
Alright I realize he is the antagonist in the novel and I am not in love with him, but I do think I can understand how he wants justice for his family. Granted it was his family from 1898, but still. There was probably another way of going about this but obviously that wouldn't have been as been as interesting as the story is told. In fact, I think if some people in this story would have swallowed their pride and just let him have what he wanted( sorry I do not want to give anything away here) then perhaps things would have been different.
I also didn't really see the townspeople or even Jim, for that matter, as the the innocent victims in this story. I only felt like there were two people who really lost out in every way possible, Travis and his mom.
Another thing that was pretty cool about this was that it is inspired by true events. I don't know much about Canadian history and apparently, something like this really did happen, in 1898, that is. In a way, that made it even more scary, proof that people really did do gruesome things and it wasn't someone's imagination.
This is a great read with lots of things happening. You will not get bored with this novel, it jumps in and instantly hooks you. It is disturbing and it will make you think too.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not the least bit surprised to find out that the author has written a few feature films (one starring Luke Perry!). Killing Down the Roman Line is a novel that reads like a movie script. This is not a bad thing at all.

The book grabs you from the first few lines and marches inexorably to its bloody, inevitable climax, refusing to relax its grip until the very last line.

Inspired by the true story of the murder of the “Black Donnelly” family in 19th-century rural Canada, the author begins with this kernel of truth and weaves a tale of secrets, lies, revenge, and justice denied, that is compelling and riveting. McGregor’s rapid-fire, staccato action drives the storyline along like the frames in a celluloid film. My heart pounded and I gasped aloud as I watched the story unfold on the screen in my mind. I saw it all (for that is the only way to describe reading this book) and I was unable to turn away until the story lurched to a stop, leaving my palms sweaty and my breath ragged.

I had only a few minor quibbles. In the acknowledgements, the author thanks both a proofreader and an editor. He should look for new ones. Several errors (plurals made with apostrophes and your/you’re confusion, among the most noticeable) made the manuscript look less than professional. Additionally, I wasn’t sure if the myriad sentence fragments were a stylistic choice or just bad grammar. It’s a testimony to how good the story was that these missteps were minor annoyances rather than glaring deal-breakers.

The story is tragic and exposes the ugliest truths about humankind. In his notes, McGregor reports that Hollywood was uninterested in Killing Down the Roman Line as a movie. Too bad. It would surely have been better than the Twilight Saga. Even if they got Luke Perry to play Jimmy Hawkshaw.

I would definitely read more from this author in the future. However, I don’t think I will read his previous works because I gather they are werewolf stories, and I don’t like the horror genre.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1898 in a small town in rural Canada, the entire Corrigan family (except one) is murdered and their bodies are burned in their barn. One hundred years later, the grandson of the survivor (so he says), comes back and wants to reclaim his family’s property and seek vengeance against the descendants of the men who got away with murder a century ago.

Tim McGregor’s latest novel takes a bit of Canadian folklore and creates a thrilling novel that grabs you with the prelude. I found the characters believable and was expecting one thing and then see that the story goes into another direction. Although, I thought it got a little bogged down in the middle, it wasn’t slow and continued to keep me motivated to read. This is not a horror or ghost story but one of revenge. I enjoyed the fact that a real life event was the nugget that created such a terrific story.

[Doug Lamoreux · Rating 4 out of 5]

KILLING DOWN THE ROMAN LINE is the new novel by Tim McGregor. McGregor is a Canadian author and screenwriter upon who's bandwagon I jumped when I read his last novel (his first) BAD WOLF - a gritty, urban werewolf yarn. I liked! His characters swore too much for my taste, but the blood flew, the scares were there, and the author had me in his protagonists' corner. When I received KILLING DOWN THE ROMAN LINE (That's right, FULL DISCLOSURE, I did NOT pay for my copy. Gasp! It's the only perk I get shoveling through a ton of crappy novels looking for the occasional nugget o' gold.), it came with this lone comment from McGregor attached, "This one is a thriller, rather than horror." Okay. If you say so.

KILLING DOWN THE ROMAN LINE is a thriller! A damned fine thriller! It is also a horror story; an intense one. There isn't a werewolf, ghost, vampire, or (thank God) zombie anywhere to be found within its pages. But its terrifying all the same. Because it's pages are full of real people, living and breathing... with all the hatreds, prejudices, oddities (I LOVE Combat Kyle), lusts, fears and greed that come with the species, plus all the foibles these characters have invented for themselves. Horrifying... all of it.

It starts in 1898 when, in a small town in rural Canada, an entire family - the dreaded Corrigans - are murdered in the night. One hundred, fourteen years later, a stranger, claiming to be the last surviving member of that destroyed clan, appears at the ruin of the old homestead single-mindedly bent upon getting justice for his family. Like a Hell-born version of the Circus of Dr. Lao (which arrived out of nowhere to show the citizenry of a small western town the error of their ways), this Corrigan establishes a Horrorshow tour of his property to bring to light the depth of the locals sins. And to instigate his Revenge.

I've already said too much regarding the plot. The novel is so tightly written that any fact relayed is a spoiler. But I'm not kidding about that capital 'R'. With the sole lesson that the sins of the fathers are visited upon the sons, this is not a morality tale. This novel is about Revenge, period. Some of it's characters are 'nice', most not. Some of it's jaw-dropping events are funny, some pulse pounding, many horrifying. It is powerfully, courageously written. And beautifully tells of the awful ugly things that people do to one another - after convincing themselves they're 'in the right'. It drags you places you might not want to go. It stuns you. Occasionally it lets you breathe. It isn't a perfect novel (One plot thread. albeit a minor one, is simply left untied). But it is a fine novel. And by far the most thrilling small town thriller I've ever read. It isn't afraid to proclaim that sometimes, sometimes, people are not very nice.

If you're one who believes life's a bowl of cherries, that people are basically good, or that the world would be a utopia if 'the haters' would just stop using certain words and be like you...run, from this book. You will be offended! The language alone will melt your eyes from your head. If, on the other hand, you recognize that much of life IS offensive and are willing to risk powerful, perhaps foreign, emotions... read KILLING DOWN THE ROMAN LINE.

[Buchdoktor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schule ist reine Schikane - und ganz besonders das Fach Geschichte, findet der zwölfjährige Travis. Als auf dem Nachbargrundstück zur elterlichen Farm ein Mann auftaucht, um das verfallene Haus zu renovieren und Anspruch auf das Farmland zu erheben, bleibt Travis vor Staunen der Mund offen stehen. Die Familie Corrigan, die Urgroßeltern des neuen Nachbarn, wurde dort vor hundert Jahren ermordet. Nur eins ihrer Kinder überlebte, das die schauerliche Geschichte an seine Nachkommen weitergab. Angeblich waren die Täter fremdes Gesindel und wurden nie gefasst. Wenn es so wäre, hätte es wohl kaum einen Grund gegeben, den einzigen Überlebenden - ein Kind! - zu verjagen, den Toten ein Grab auf dem Dorffriedhof von Pennyluck/Ontario zu verweigern und sie auf ihrem eigenen Grund zu begraben. Travis hatte keine Ahnung von den Gräbern; der Name Corrigan durfte seit damals nicht mehr ausgesprochen werden. Der neue Nachbar an der Landstraße, der Roman Line, behauptet, die Vorfahren der heutigen braven Bürger von Pennyluck hätten damals seine Urgroßeltern ermordet, um sich ihren Besitz unter den Nagel zu reißen. Corrigan fordert plakativ Gerechtigkeit ein, indem er auf seinem Grundstück die "Corrigan Horrorshow" für Touristen anbietet. Die Familien der angeblichen Täter wollen Corrigan möglichst schnell loswerden, um die Scharte in ihrer Familiengeschichte auszuwetzen. Besonders empfindlich reagiert Travis Vater Jim, denn Corrigan hat bereits seine Fühler ausgesteckt, um sich mit Travis anzufreunden, und Corrigan weiß nur zu genau, dass Jim ein Auge auf das benachbarte Farmland geworfen hat.

Durch einen historischen Fall der Ausrottung einer ganzen irischstämmigen Familie hat Tim McGregor sich zu seiner spannenden, brutalen und sehr nachdenklich machenden Geschichte anregen lassen. Vor kaum drei Generationen war offenbar in manchen ländlichen Gegenden Nordamerikas Selbstjustiz üblich und Konflikte wurden mit der Knarre in der Hand und dem Abfackeln der gegenseitigen Häuser ausgetragen. Die Figur des Travis und seine Sicht auf die Ereignisse verdeutlicht in drastischer Weise, wie schwer ein unseliger Kreislauf aus Rache und Vergeltung zu durchbrechen ist.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim McGregor's "Killing Down the Roman Line" is a terrific murder mystery that starts in the late 19th Century and moves into modern day. A small Canadian town is the site for a thriller that links the connection that once again reunites old friends, "murder" and "revenge".

I found it quite interesting to learn that McGregor's novel is inspired by an actual event that took place in the 1880's in Ontario, Canada. The tale revolves around a group of vigilantes who secretly swept onto the property of the town's most hated and feared families, the "Black Donnelleys" and murdered the entire clan. McGregor starts his book with his version of the murder (the unfortunate family in this book is the "Corrigans") and spins a great tale of a town's dirty secrets, paranoia, and revenge.

The book centers around the Hawkshaw family (neighbors of the old Corrigan house on Roman Line road) and how their lives are affected when the last remaining Corrigan mysteriously returns to claim the homestead. What are his intentions and how will they affect the residents of Pennyluck, Ontario?

McGregor is a great storyteller and this book flows with ease from one scene to the next. Accordingly, it would make a great film because of the wonderful pacing. Characters are believable and fully developed. Readers who live or grew up in a small town will find themselves easily identifying with the various members of this town (mayor, police chief, barkeep). McGregor does a wonderful job particularly with the Hawkshaw characters. He portrays them in a realistic and sympathetic way that most readers should appreciate.

I lucked on to McGregor's work earlier this year when I read his outstanding police drama/horror story, "Bad Wolf". I look forward to my next venture into the work of this imaginative writer.

[Brian Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As humans, we sometimes tend to view previous generations as less evolved. That’s especially true when we’re looking back on some of the more unsavory aspects of human behaviour. But while I think it’s possible for people to change, I also think it’s more possible for people not to change.

For anyone familiar with Canada’s Donnelly family (who were murdered by a vigilante mob in 1880), McGregor’s book carries the message that if we think things have progressed since those days, we best think again. Part horror story, part morality tale, part action movie and part history lesson, Killing Down the Roman Line had me turning the pages until the very end and left me wondering if we ever move beyond the savagery of our past.

[Billie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story...small town in England where 100 years ago a feared family was murdered by a group of towns people. The truth was hidden and the murders blamed on a group of prison escapees...fast forward over 100 years and the sole survivor of that night came in to town with his own reign of terror on the descendants of the guilty people.
It held my interest; there were a few draggy places, but the end kept me going!

[L.T. Fawkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim McGregor, $2.99 *****

Wow. "If you're out for revenge, dig two graves."

The past rears its ugly head and comes back to haunt the residents of a small, isolated town in Canada. A very well crafted and well written tale with great characters and lots of suspense. Don't miss this one!

[P.A. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with writing this review because I enjoyed the book. It's not for the squeamish. But there were parts of it that I felt were put in for reasons other than to benefit the story. I found a few too many things glossed over, or left hanging to give it more than 3 stars.

[Robbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good. Actually based in reality.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, based on true events, but it could use some more editing, I noticed a lot of typos and missing words for such a high profile author.

[S.B. (Beauty in Ruins) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when a stranger shows up in your quaint little Canadian town to accuse your ancestors of a horrific act? What do you do when he holds you and your fellow citizens responsible for a murder that took place long before you were born? More importantly, what do you do when you begin to doubt the official history, and suspect that there may just be something to his demands for vengeance?

Such is the basic premise of Killing Down the Roman Line, a taut thriller about the prejudices, hatreds, and secrets of small town life, as told by Tim McGregor. Going into this already well versed with the tale of the Donnellys that inspire it, I was prepared to dismiss the book as a simple morality tale, and was dreading the inevitable change-of-heart that would expose the misunderstanding and redeem all involved. Much to my delight, that is most definitely not the tale that McGregor has set out to tell. This is a story of revenge, of the brutal pursuit of justice, with absolutely no mercy for those who stand in the way.

Will Corrigan is as rich, as arrogant, as self-righteous, and as pompous as they come. You can't help but sympathize with his desire for revenge, but you can certainly argue with his methods. He's a challenging character to put at the forefront of a story, but he has such a commanding presence that it works. Of course, it helps that he has absolutely not doubt as to the guilt of the townfolk, giving a false (perhaps) façade of legitimacy to his work.

As for the townspeople, they reminded me of the kind of characters you'd find in an old Stephen King short story, or perhaps in an episode of the Twilight Zone. They're odd, eccentric, and close-minded to a fault, but they're also vulnerable. As the story progresses, you almost begin to feel sorry for their predicament, but you can't get past their conspiratorial nature, nor their refusal to make any admission of guilt. These are people for whom secrets are to be kept, appearances maintained, and history (such as it is) preserved - at all costs.

Caught between the two is Jim Hawkshaw, a struggling farmer doomed as much by his own curiosity as his farm's proximity to that of the land Corrigan has come to claim as his own. Of course, the fact that he's long wanted that same land for his own casts some doubt upon his motives, but he really does end up being stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place. As you might expect, things become personal, and in a way that's not good for anybody involved.

I really didn't expect the tale to come full-circle as it did, but I appreciated the literary irony involved. It's not a happy ending, but it's a fitting one . . . and one that lingers long after you've turned the last page. No matter whose story you believe, or whose side you chose to take, you can't help but come away from the story feeling a little dirty.


Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins

[Nancy Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

the story errie, the writing amazing, another wonderful book Tim

[Vanessa Morier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Had a hard time putting it down, and I found it left a lasting impression on me.

Based on a true story, but had a good amount of fabrication to it.

[Renee Poselwait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killing Down the Roman Line by Tim McGregor is a book that is right up my alley, filled with mystery and suspense. Published in 2012, one year after his first novel, Bad Wolf, Killing Down the Roman Line is about one town’s checkered past, revolving around one event that has not been talked about for generations.
It all starts in the year of 1898, on a farm, on a road named Roman Line. The local “bully” family has all been murdered, save one, and burned in their barn. The local townsmen do not know who killed the whole family, but are all delighted that the family is dead. In celebration, they all start to raid the family of their clothes, jewelry, and even resort to taking bones of the dead, all to have a piece of the historic event. The one lone survivor goes to the police and implicates most of the town as being part of the mob that killed his family and then disappears from town.
Skip ahead a hundred years, same town, same road, same house where the murders happen all that time ago, a man claiming to be the grandson of the one sole survivor arrives to shake the town up. He sets up a horror tour of the house, exactly has it been in 1898. He believes that the town has forgotten their history. He befriends his one neighbor, who, before it all ends, gets stuck in the middle between this stranger and the rest of the town.
This book is action packed right from the beginning and does not let up till the end. I do have to say that some of the story is a bit graphic, so be warned. All-in-all the story was a little predictable, but there were still a few twists that I did not see coming. The ending was a little lack luster after all the action in the few chapters before.
The book was well written. I was every impressed with this story. I could hardly put it down. I would give it a strong 3 out of 4 rating.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book! The story was one that I could see have happened. The current day line was a bit unreal, but it took place in Canada, so who knows? LOL

I liked most of the characters and it flowed nicely.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold my attention, non-predictable...very well written. Narrative humour/sarcasm ... Nice touch!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book with an intriguing plot line. The characters are drawn nicely, without being too wordy in the descriptions. Kept me interested through the entire book. Loved the ending.

[Marcee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complete change from his Spookshow series--worth a read!