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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Scarpetta say she doesn't think Mr. Peterson is the killer when Marino asks her about it in chapter four?

2. What is found in Mrs. Peterson's dresser drawer that Scarpetta finds unusual?

3. Who does Scarpetta call from the morgue?

4. What was used to strangle the first victim, Brenda Steppe?

5. What was Brenda Steppe cooking before she was killed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the differences that Scarpetta talks about between her and the previous medical examiner, Cagney.

2. What do Betty and Scarpetta talk about in chapter six?

3. What is Scarpetta told while in Amburgey's office in chapter six?

4. What does Scarpetta know about the glittery substance found on the bodies?

5. What does Scarpetta note about Marino and his thoughts on suspects for Lori Peterson's killer.

6. In chapter five what does Benton say about the killer?

7. Who does Scarpetta say would have had access to the information about the murders?

8. Describe what Scarpetta recalls happening when Amburgey had visited the morgue for the first time.

9. Describe the scene in chapter two where Scarpetta is alone in the morgue.

10. What does Scarpetta say has happened in the city since the newspaper reporters began covering the murders?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is it that Scarpetta feels for the victims that she has had to autopsy for this murder? What does it reveal about Scarpetta that she has let it get to her on a personal level? Could part of the reason she has taken these murder's to heart be in part because she is a woman.

Essay Topic 2

Part 1) What is significant about Scarpetta's dreams?

Part 2) In what way does Scarpetta's feelings toward her father tie into the murders and the way that Scarpetta views the murderer? Why does her dead father turn into the murderer in the end of the chapter?

Essay Topic 3

Part 1) What does it say about Bill that he asked Marino to keep an eye on Scarpetta?

Part 2) Is it possible that Bill will attack another woman, if he was guilty of raping Abby?

Part 3) Is there any indication that Bill will be back in other Scarpetta books? Explain why the author would or would not reuse him.

(see the answer keys)

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