Mystery Collection Discussion Questions

Select a story to view the corresponding discussion questions

A Difficult Problem

A Quicksilver Cassandra

Hunted Down

Napoleon and the Spectre

Silence

The Adventure of the Crooked Man

The B-Flat Trombone

The Two-Cent Stamp

The Rope of Fear

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A Difficult Problem

1. What did you think about Lucy's decision to accept her rich Uncle's money? Would you have considered doing the same?
2. The suspect is described as "wild-looking," "sinister," and "dangerous." Do you think he was always that way, or did Lucy's betrayal and his need for revenge cause him to change? Does revenge rot one's soul, or is revenge necessary to overcome being wronged?
3. If someone close to you died under mysterious circumstances, do you think you would try to discover the truth about what happened?

A Quicksilver Cassandra

1. Jingleberry determines that he's in love with Marian, partly because he only has eyes for her. What are some other ways you know you are in love? Is this true love or only infatuation?
2. Why do you think the author chose to name the main character Jingleberry? What does the name connote? Does his name fit his character?
3. Were you surprised by the end of the story? Did it leave you feeling satisfied?

Hunted Down

1. Why does Dickens repeatedly reference Mr. Slinkton's hair parting? What might a severe middle part communicate about a character?
2. Did the events in this story seem realistic?
3. Are you a fan of Charles Dickens? How did this story stack up to his other writings, like Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, or A Christmas Carol? What other British writers do you like?

Napoleon and the Spectre

1. Have you, or anyone you have known, ever sleepwalked?
2. Have you ever had a dream that was so vivid you thought it was real?
3. How does Charlotte Bronte feel about Napoleon Bonaparte? What details in the story support your opinion?

Silence

1. Discuss the language of the story. Does it remind you of a myth, fairy tale, or perhaps a Biblical passage?
2. Describe the setting of the story. Would it be frightening for you? Describe a place that made you feel uncomfortable or frightened.
3. The story is about a demon who manipulates an environment to shock and frighten a man. The man on the rock found the final manipulation, total silence, to be unbearable, causing him to flee. Would you feel the same way?

The Adventure of the Crooked Man

1. In what ways could the title be describing more than one person in this story?
2. Have you had any single event or events that changed the course of your life in unexpected ways?
3. In what ways would you feel differently about this story if Colonel Barclay had been intentionally killed by his wife?

The B-Flat Trombone

1. Do you believe that a person could be killed in the manner described in this story? Can you think of any other methods that would have worked equally well?
2. Does Average Jones remind you of Sherlock Holmes? In what ways is he similar or different?
3. How likely do you think it is that a politician would resort to trickery to win an election?

The Two-Cent Stamp

1. Do you think that some people seem prone to getting into trouble?
2. Have you known anyone who was wrongfully accused of a crime?
3. Do you think that society would be better off if alcohol was outlawed? Can you think of other things that would benefit society if they were outlawed?

The Rope of Fear

1. What do you think about the bank manager's account of the robbery and his suspicions of who did it? Did you suspect that he was hiding something?
2. What, if any, parts of Cleek's explanation surprised you?
3. When you hear "Scotland Yard," what does it bring to mind?