“In the Shadow of Mount Royal: Growing Up in Montreal’s Golden Age” invites readers into the world of Jamie Gillespie, whose life takes an unexpected turn shortly after his tenth birthday. Set against the backdrop of Montreal in the late 19th century, a time when the city vibrates with culture and opportunity, the young boy’s journey unfolds in that evolving society.

A few years before Canada’s 1867 declaration of nationhood, a flood of Irish and Scottish immigrants populate the city, embracing the promise Montreal holds. Jamie’s parents, a blend of both cultures, dream of forging a partnership in their adopted land. As newcomers, the family struggles, although as a child, Jamie seldom notices the tenuous grasp of poverty nor the unusual frequency of moving from place to place within the city, barely one step ahead of their landlords’ demands. Instead, he treasures the harmonious family relationships and his its shared appreciation of music.

Tragically, the family fractures, leaving him untethered, longing for security in a sea of uncertainty. Still, in the formative years of his life, Jamie strives to forge his own path in a city that continues to boom. How does this ten-year-old manage? Growing to manhood, can he overcome the trauma of his past? Will he ever be able to replace what was torn so abruptly away?

“In the Shadow of Mount Royal” engages readers as they follow Jamie’s story of love, loss, and facing life’s hardships.