Book launch: The Gaol Carpenter’s Diary by Chris Higgins

Step into Victorian Toronto, where markets, alleys, and courtrooms shaped the city we know today. In his debut novel – The Gaol Carpenter’s Diary – author and historian Chris Higgins blends deep research with vivid storytelling to reimagine real 19th-century crimes and the people caught up in them – from inside Toronto’s early jails to the neighbourhoods where we still walk. These stories go beyond the headlines, revealing a world where many struggles are familiar. There’s also something unfamiliar: this was an era of capital punishment. Join us for a reading with video, images, and conversation. Whether you’re drawn to true crime, Toronto history, or literary fiction, this event invites you to explore the city’s hidden past – one chapter at a time. Meet the author and pick up a signed copy.