The black stage cover

The black stage

by Anthony Gilbert

Among the visitors to the Verekers' family mansion of Four Acres was Lewis Bishop — the perfect victim, whom everyone had reason to hate and fear. When he is suddenly shot dead in the darkness of the library one night all he leaves behind him is an unpleasant memory and a pretty puzzle for the police and, of course, for Arthur Crook, that irrepressible and slightly unscrupulous detective who is in particularly fine form.

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?