This novel is about learning to cope with grief and about carrying on with life and responsibility. In this case, responsibility means unmasking serial killers, despite interference from the very officials and agencies commissioned to assist in such cases.

Cornwell depends on contrasts to establish character, carry theme, and assert social concerns.

1. What is the significance of the title?

Who in the book receives a Black Notice? Why?

2. Cornwell captures the debilitating effects of grief. Why is Kay Scarpetta grieving? What form does her grief take?

How do her enemies use her grief against her?

3. What series of events or realizations help her finally come to terms with her grief?

4. Scarpetta's niece Lucy and her associate Marino also are grieving, but their grief takes a very different form. Explain.

5. Scarpetta sees conspiracies everywhere.

How many conspiracies does she suspect? Which prove genuine? Which false?

6. What early...