The Bishop's Curse

The Bishop’s Curse chronicles a dispute that arose between a small group of Irish immigrants, in the frontier village of Carthage, New York, and their bishop and priest. The bishop sternly warned of “calamities” to befall them for their disobedience. And calamities were indeed soon visited upon them.
Based on a 150 year-old true story of priestly misfeasance and church cover-ups, The Bishop’s Curse has been commended for its research, accuracy and engaging storytelling.
Here's what one reviewer, author/historian Martin Sweeney had to say:

Raff Ellis is a superb storyteller. He has managed to fashion a story based on a true series of events in such a deft manner that the historical facts and the fictional elements are difficult to tease apart. The border between the two realms is seamless, which is the hallmark of fine historical fiction.

"For me,personally, The Bishop's Curse has so many of the ingredients I find compelling in the genre: Feisty Irish-Catholic immigrant characters, a realistic New York State community for the setting, the Civil War era, and a conflict between the laity and the Church that places livelihoods, reputations, and belief systems in jeopardy.

"Mr. Ellis has even worked into the mix a description of Blondin's famous tightrope walk over Niagara Falls that resonates with those of us who recently watched with white knuckles a similar daredevil stunt being performed live on television. It all makes for a sure-fire "page turner" that only leaves you asking for one thing at the end -- more!!"