In the autumnal darkness of October 6, 1894, an unseen figure rang the doorbell at the Parkdale home of a well-to-do Toronto family and then shot Frank Westwood in his doorway, murdering him in cold blood.

Six weeks later, Clara Ford, a Black tailor and single mother, was arrested. Known for her impeccable work ethic and her resolute personality - and for her predilection for wearing men's attire - she confessed to the murder. But as the details of her arrest and her complex connection to the Westwood family emerged, Clara recanted, testifying that she was coerced by police into a false confession. Carolyn Whitzman tells the compelling story of a courageous Black woman living in nineteenth-century Toronto and paints a portrait of a city and a society that have not changed enough in 125 years.

About the Author

Carolyn Whitzman is a writer and researcher who lives in Ottawa. She is the author of Suburb, Slum, Urban Village: Transformations in Parkdale, Toronto 1875-2000. She was living in Parkdale when she stumbled upon Clara Ford's story and has remained fascinated with it for more than two decades.

Reviews
Whitzman does a deep dive to put this three-act tragedy in historical context...the story has been told many times, but not in quite the same way. -- Pat St. Germain * Post Media *
Whitzman's book...brings to light a unique case in the annals of Canadian criminal history involving one Clara Ford. -- Emily Donaldson * Globe and Mail *
Whitzman ... brings to life a spectacular 1894 Toronto true crime case. -- Nathalie Atkinson * Zoomer Magazine *
The city's seven newspapers in the 1890s were in competition for readership and often exaggerated or even fabricated facts to sell papers - but Whitzman tells the story in shades of grey. -- Cassandra Drudi * Quill & Quire *
A fascinating exploration of a part of Toronto's history that deserves a new telling. -- Deborah Dundas * The Toronto Star *


Awards
Short-listed for Toronto Book Award 2023 (Canada).



Book Information
ISBN 9780774890618
Author Carolyn Whitzman
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint University of British Columbia Press
Publisher University of British Columbia Press
Weight(grams) 440g