A READER’S GUIDE FOR SECOND STREET STATION
1. Mary Handley seems to be very different from her nineteenth-century peers. What do you think sets her apart? What influences in her past shaped her personality and ambitions?
2. There are many historical characters in Second Street Station from J. P. Morgan to Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, and more. Which character did you enjoy reading about most and why? Did any historical character surprise you? How so?
3. Thomas Edison is made out to be a villain and is one of the prime suspects in the Goodrich murder case. Does this influence your opinion of this prominent historical figure?
4. What do you think of the author’s description of late nineteenth-century Brooklyn? How does this differ from how Brooklyn is represented in modern pop culture?
5. Second Street Station is based on the true story of the first woman hired by the Brooklyn Police Department to sleuth a crime. How does the historical context influence your reading of the book?
6. If you were a woman in late nineteenth-century New York City, how would you see yourself fitting into society? Do you think you would search for similar opportunities that Mary did or do you think you might enjoy living within the cultural norm at the time? Do you find Mary to be an inspirational character?
7. Aside from Mary, who did you find to be the most relatable character and why?
8. Is Mary’s strained relationship with her mother specific to the historical era or do you think you might see this type of mother-daughter strain in modern times?
9. Discuss Mary’s relationship with Charles Pemberton. Do you think they made the right decision to part ways? Why or why not?
10. Do you think Chief Campbell was a positive mentor and influence in Mary’s life? Do you think he had selfish motivations?
11. Throughout Mary’s investigation, she finds herself in dangerous and compromising situations. Is there a point where you might have stopped for your own well-being before she did?
12. Were you surprised to learn the identity of the killer? If so, whom did you suspect?
13. Cocaine was considered the wonder drug back in the nineteenth century and such notables as Queen Victoria, the Pope, Thomas Edison, and Robert Louis Stevenson endorsed it. The most popular wine, Vin Mariani, contained it, as did Coca-Cola and other products. Do you think this endorsement was caused by a lack of scientific knowledge and government regulation, and, if so, how is it different today? Have our scientific advances and the FDA helped us prevent harmful drugs from being put into our food or have corporations just gotten smarter with their deceptions?
14. We never learn the Bowler Hat’s name. How do you think this influenced your experience reading about him?
15. Are the Bowler Hat’s crimes any less heinous because he is a hired hand and not the one orchestrating the crime?
16. The Bowler Hat performed his duties for ruthless business tycoons who were given the derogatory name of robber barons. Were you aware and do you believe that such practices took place just to grow a business and accumulate wealth? Who were the robber barons? Do you think such people exist today, and, if so, who do you think they are?
17. The author has spent a large part of his career writing for television. Did this book remind you of any TV shows or films you have seen?
18. There is a lot of discussion about dreams and meaningful goals in life. Mary has a dream of being a detective. John Pemberton has a dream of Coca-Cola becoming a viable and successful product. Nikola Tesla has a dream of becoming a successful inventor recognized for his innovation and genius. How important do you think it is to have a dream? How much did not having one play a part in Charles Pemberton’s problems? Are dreams good or bad? Can they destroy you?
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