The Betrayer

Henry G. MacLeod teaches sociology at both Trent University and the
University of Waterloo.

Two men who were hanged for the murder of a shopkeeper in Charlottetown,
Prince Edward Island, in 1941 died declaring that the murder had
actually been committed by an unidentified third man. Michael Hennessey
uses this true-crime story as the basis for The Betrayer, his first
novel. Although the book is dedicated to an old friend who always
claimed he knew the identity of the third man, Hennessey does not solve
the mystery. Instead he presents the fictionalized autobiography of
newspaper columnist Hugh Michael “Mickey” Casey, the story of a man
who would be capable of allowing two men to die for his crime.

Our narrator, Mickey, is an engaging storyteller. Abandoned by his
mother at a Catholic orphanage in Charlottetown, he makes two friends,
Emily Kate and Billy Williams. He in turn abandons them when, at 15, he
goes to live with the man he blames for his mother’s having left
leaving him. Seeking revenge, he poisons and robs him. Mickey leaves
town when his girlfriend gets pregnant. He is the mysterious third man.
He is instrumental in Billy’s suicide and lies about his crimes to
Emily Kate, the only person he loves.

Despite his many betrayals and his violent nature, Mickey’s story and
suffering grip the reader. Haunted by his Catholic upbringing with the
nuns and by his past sins, he escapes to Ireland. There he finds
redemption at a Catholic monastery in Galway. Having learned to value
reconciliation, he makes his confession to God and later to Emily Kate.
A life of betrayal transforms into one of hope for reconciliation with
his one true love.

Hennessey has created a fascinating story with strong characters. His
descriptions of life in Charlottetown are vivid. This a captivating
first novel is well worth reading.