Suitabook13 hangmen
Art Corriveau
- Reading
- Keep a simple list of the historical people, events and ideas that appear, then discuss which ones help solve the mystery and which add context. This can help make sense of the story’s many strands.
- Themes
- Prejudice and acceptance: The cast includes people of varied ethnic and religious backgrounds, and one character encounters prejudice. The book’s stance on this remains unclear.
- Historical detail: The mystery incorporates historical people, events and ideas, including Paul Revere, the Great Molasses Flood and the Underground Railroad. History is a substantial part of the story, rather than merely background decoration; readers who enjoy historical material may find this strand appealing.
- Religious and spiritual practices: The story includes a Wiccan girl and a father described as Buddhist. These elements are part of the varied character background, but their role in the story is not clear.
- Worth knowing
- A neighbour accuses Tony’s father of murdering the great-uncle, and the plot concerns the great-uncle’s death.