Qustions for: Massey Murder: a Maid, her Master and the Trial that Shocked a Nation

Charlotte Gray

  1. Why did Carrie Davies return to her employer’s home after visiting her sister and brother-in-law?
  2. Who do you believe was the true victim of the tragedy—Carrie, Bert Massey, or both?
  3. Which historical figure in the book did you find most compelling, and why?
  4. Do you think the jury reached the right verdict? Why or why not?
  5. How much did social class influence the investigation and trial?
  6. If the same events occurred today, how do you think the legal outcome would differ?
  7. How did the backdrop of the World War I shape the events and public attitudes?
  8. In what ways did the emerging Women's suffrage movement influence the case?
  9. Were you surprised by the expectations placed on women, particularly domestic servants, in 1915?
  10. What role did newspapers play in shaping public opinion about Carrie and the Massey family?
  11. How would social media have changed this case if it happened today?
  12. What does the book suggest about power, privilege, and gender?
  13. What does the book reveal about attitudes toward mental health and women's credibility in the early 20th century?
  14. Did anything in the story remind you of issues that still exist today?
  15. What surprised you most about this true story?
  16. Which scene has stayed with you after finishing the book?
  17. Did the book change your understanding of Canadian legal or social history?
  18. Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?