The Massey Murder

A Maid, Her Master and the Trial that Shocked a Country

by Charlotte Gray

On Sale: 09/17/2013

The Massey Murder

A Maid, Her Master and the Trial that Shocked a Country

by Charlotte Gray

On Sale: 09/17/2013

Format:

Ottawa Book Award for English Non-Fiction

OLA Evergreen Award

Globe and Mail Best Book of the Year

Arthur Ellis Award for Non-fiction

CAA Lela Common Award for Canadian History

Toronto Book Award

British Columbia National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction

RBC Taylor Prize

CBA Libris Award for Non-Fiction

Heritage Toronto Book Award

About the Book

A Globe and Mail Top 100 Book of the Year

An Amazon Top 100 Book of the Year

Shortlisted for the RBC Taylor Prize

Longlisted for the BC National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction

A scandalous crime, a sensational trial, a surprise verdict—the true story of Carrie Davies, the maid who shot a Massey

In February 1915, a member of one of Canada’s wealthiest families was shot and killed on the front porch of his home in Toronto as he was returning from work. Carrie Davies, an 18-year-old domestic servant, quickly confessed. But who was the victim here? Charles “Bert” Massey, a scion of a famous family, or the frightened, perhaps mentally unstable Carrie, a penniless British immigrant? When the brilliant lawyer Hartley Dewart, QC, took on her case, his grudge against the powerful Masseys would fuel a dramatic trial that pitted the old order against the new, wealth and privilege against virtue and honest hard work. Set against a backdrop of the Great War in Europe and the changing face of a nation, this sensational crime is brought to vivid life for the first time.

As in her previous bestselling book, Gold Diggers—which was made into a Discovery Channel miniseries entitled “Klondike”—multi-award-winning historian and biographer Charlotte Gray has created a captivating narrative rich in detail and brimming with larger-than-life personalities, as she shines a light on a central moment in our past.

Critical Praise

“Canada’s pre-eminent historian. . . .  A captivating read, balancing intense research with richly drawn characters and lively storytelling.” — Maclean’s

“Engaging. . . . Gray’s cast involves meticulously researched historical figures, whose behaviour she depicts with psychological insight. Narrated with a great sense of presence, irony, and verve, this book recreates a vanished world of Canadian jurisprudence and politics, invests it with life, and makes it memorable.” — The Globe and Mail

An engrossing chronicle of Toronto’s social life at the beginning of the 20th century.” — Toronto Star

“Gripping and insightful . . . . Gray has managed to resurrect a devilishly intriguing character.” — Quill & Quire

In The Massey Murder, Gray shows real kindness and compassion, bringing a sense of humanity to a once-lurid tale from the tabloids.” — Winnipeg Free Press

-

Resources

Product Details

  • ISBN: 9781443409254
  • ISBN 10: 1443409251
  • Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers
  • On Sale: 09/17/2013
  • Pages: 336
  • List Price:11.99 CAD
  • BISAC1 : BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / General
  • BISAC2 : HISTORY / Canada / General

The Massey Murder by Charlotte Gray

The broadest selection of online bookstores. The links will take you to the web site's home page.

Other Booksellers

The broadest selection of online bookstores. The links will take you to the Web site's home page.

SELECT:

Specialty Booksellers

Interest-specific online venues and gift accounts that offer books for purchase. The links will take you to the store’s home page.

International Customers

If you are located outside Canada, the best way to order online is to choose from the following bookstores listed by region and country.