Characters
Who is the main character introduced at the start of the book?
John Wilson
Where does John Wilson come from before moving to Canada?
Scotland
Who does John write letters to after moving to Canada?
Polly, his wife
What police force does John join after arriving in Canada?
The Royal Northwest Mounted Police (RNWMP)
What theme is shown through John’s move to Canada?
Starting over or seeking redemption
What is the name of John Wilson’s wife in Scotland?
Polly Wilson
What year or time period is the story set in?
During World War I (around 1914–1918)
What emotion do John's letters often show toward Polly at first?
Love, confusion, and longing
Why does the RNMP need more officers?
Most men have left for the war
What kind of internal conflict is John experiencing?
Being away from his wife, and guilt from bankrupting the gardens
What is the name of John’s brother who lives in Canada?
George Wilson
What province in Canada does John settle in?
Saskatchewan
What reason does John give Polly for not returning home right away?
He says he needs to get settled or find steady work
After John is laid off of bridge-building, what is his next job before joining the RNMP?
a gardener in Saskatoon's new parks
How does the author show John’s loneliness?
Through descriptions of the cold setting and his letters
What is the name of the woman John meets in Saskatchewan?
Jessie Patterson
How does the author describe the Prairie landscape when John first arrives?
Harsh, cold, and isolated
Who is the best teacher?
Mrs. Scherr
What could the police uniform symbolize for John?
A fresh identity or new beginning
What might the title “The Secret Lives” refer to by Chapter 5?
John living a double life — secrets between his old and new worlds
How would you describe John’s personality based on his letters and actions so far?
Complex / conflicted / secretive
What town or area is John posted to when he joins the Mounted Police?
Blaine Lake area
What does the tone of John’s letters suggest about his feelings toward Polly?
He is becoming distant or detached
What year are you graduating (hopefully)?
2026
What foreshadowing appears in the early chapters about John’s future?
His lies and emotional distance hint that his secrets may cause trouble later