This was a really interesting account of an event I had never heard of before. The burning of a Big Top of the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Curcus in Hartford, CT in the 1940s. The book gave information about events leading up to the disaster, the events of the day, an accounting of the recovery and identification of bodies, and then a more detailed account of the two mysteries that still surround the event. One of the mysteries involves how the fire started. Originally it was believed to be an accidental cigarette or match but evidence now points to arson. There is a suspect in the arson but he has since passed away. Interestingly enough the suspect was originally from Portland, ME. Score 1 for a local connection. The other mystery surrounds one of the girls who died. For a long time there was an unclaimed body but it was not believed to be her. This has changed but uncertainty still remains.
I liked this for a few reasons...
1) Local connection
2) Short text
3) Photographs
4) Element of mystery
This was a "readit readit" for me.
More detailed review at http://librarianinacandyshop.blogspot.com/2015/03/big-top-burning.html
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