1. Imagine you are Douglas Layton watching the theatre you designed fall to the ground. How would you feel in that moment? What part in the tragedy does Layton play? Do you think he deserved to go to prison for it?
2. Why was it so easy for Layton to shed his skin after he was released from prison? Describe what it must have been like to grow up within England’s strict social classes. How did that influence Layton’s decisions both before and after prison? If you were to shed your identity, what job or lifestyle would you take on?
3. How does social class come into play later in the story? Does social hierarchy have as much influence today as it did then? Explain.
4. Layton has an emotional connection to music halls, and they bring him back to happy memories from his childhood. Do you have a place that instantly brings your childhood to mind? What is it like to be there again as an adult? How do you think Layton feels returning to a theatre for the first time after the accident?
5. Describe the characters at the theatre house. Which were your favorites? Did you find any shocking or offensive in today’s society? Do you think theatres still serve the same purpose today, to help people forget about their lives?
6. Why do you think Layton decides not to tell anyone after he discovers the first skeleton? What about the second? When he discovers that the dead men both worked on the Britannia Empire Theatre, how does Layton react?
7. Describe Cissie and Layton’s relationship. How does it change after she discovers the mystery behind the Britannia collapse? Do you think they make a good team?
8. How does Layton’s past come back to haunt him throughout the story? Why do you think he cannot escape his reputation? Do you think anyone is ever able to rise above public perception?
9. Layton finds multiple suspects for the Britannia collapse. How does he discover the guilty party? What ultimately drove them to commit this horrible act?
10. How does Layton’s life change after news of the real story behind the Britannia breaks? How has he changed as a person throughout this whole ordeal? Is his life better off after all the misfortune?