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What mystery-writing advice does the author slip in that she, herself, observes? Are there any rules that she breaks?
|
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5
|
44
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
Do you think Eunice and Polly influenced each other’s lives? Do you think they learned anything from one another? How did their relationship change over the course of the book? What factors led to this transformation?
|
|
7
|
51
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Polly Adler became the most infamous madam of her time. What circumstances led her to that position? What qualities led her to thrive in that role? How does her profession reflect the limits imposed on immigrant women in the early twentieth century?
|
|
5
|
47
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Eunice and Polly formed an alliance to achieve a common goal even though they were on opposite sides of the law. What characteristics helped them to set aside their differences and work together?
|
|
9
|
61
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
How would you describe Polly’s relationship with her parents? Was her relationship different with her mother than with her father, and if so, how? Why did she feel more animosity toward her father, and do you feel that was justified?
|
|
12
|
80
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
At one point in the book, Eunice and Polly discuss whether race or class shaped their hardships more profoundly. Did you better understand each woman’s perspective after this conversation? Did it shift your own view of race and class?
|
|
11
|
73
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Eunice & Polly formed an unlikely alliance to take down Lucky. What qualities are required to make these kinds of alliances successful? Can you think of other situations where women from different backgrounds came together to achieve a common goal?
|
|
6
|
43
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Overall, what did you think of A Pair of Aces? (No spoilers in this topic, please!)
|
|
27
|
284
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
What did you think of Polly’s relationship with the Lion? Why do you think the two women were so close?
|
|
11
|
86
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
What do you think the book has to say about loyalty and friendship between women?
|
|
12
|
96
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Eunice and Polly both faced a lot of challenges in their lives. How were their struggles similar, and how were they different?
|
|
12
|
95
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Polly had a complicated relationship with the women, like Virginia, who worked for her. How did her relationship with these women influence Polly’s decision to work with Eunice? Do you think the women like Virginia felt like they were family to Polly?
|
|
12
|
57
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
As an assistant district attorney for the City of New York and Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor, Eunice Hunton Carter achieved incredible success. What personality traits led her to achieve this success?
|
|
10
|
51
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Horace tells Frank, "Every great man is as hated as he is loved" (p.141). What did you think of this statement? Do you agree with him? Are there exceptions that come to mind?
|
|
9
|
57
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
Nine main characters are each given a chapter in the book. Whose story did you find the most compelling?
|
|
11
|
91
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
What were you doing during the time period depicted in the novel? Were you impacted by the economic downturn, and if so, in what ways?
|
|
12
|
79
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
Why do you think Emilie didn't run for help when her mother drowned?
|
|
21
|
145
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Olivia enjoys the resort but thinks that if she had the money, she likely wouldn’t spend it at a place like that. (pp 139-140). What about you? Would you spend time at the resort? What would be your ideal vacation if you had the funds available?
|
|
18
|
135
|
July 21, 2026
|
|
When Vicki’s murderer is revealed, Olivia asks Merritt if she doesn’t feel bad for that person, if only a little. (p. 375) What about you? Did you feel bad for the killer at all?
|
|
17
|
136
|
July 21, 2026
|
|
Have you read any books that have had a similar theme or style? If so, how did they compare to this one?
|
|
10
|
70
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
Ryan Forrester thinks that clean-air regulations were “most likely the death blow to the country’s ailing manufacturing industry.” Did the US went overboard, or not far enough when it instituted such regulations? What influences your opinion?
|
|
8
|
51
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
To what do you think the title, The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down, refers to, now that you’ve read the book?
|
|
9
|
68
|
September 17, 2026
|
|
Mary often tells Chrissie that she’s her best friend. Do you think this was true? What was your opinion about their relationship?
|
|
14
|
104
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Overall, what did you think of Chelsea Girls? (No spoilers in this topic, please.)
|
|
25
|
227
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
To what audience would you recommend Chelsea Girls? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
|
|
11
|
80
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Catherine Lloyd is the author of several other novels, including the Kurland St. Mary Mystery series and the Miss Morton Mysteries. Have you read any of her other books? If so, how did it compare to Chelsea Girls?
|
|
14
|
79
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Were the 1960s truly a time of great change? Did fashion and music play a part in this generational change, and how did those changes differ in the UK and the US?
|
|
6
|
54
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
What surprised you the most about the novel? Did you learn anything new from it, and if so, what?
|
|
12
|
84
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
Why do you suppose none of the women’s parents want them to have careers outside the home?
|
|
18
|
111
|
August 18, 2026
|
|
What did you think of the author’s epilogue and the future she envisions for each of her characters?
|
|
13
|
99
|
August 18, 2026
|