How do Miss Sterling Harper and Mrs. McTigue compare and contrast as characters?

What roles do flowers play in this novel?

What functions do Sammy the squirrel and Zulu the black Labrador occupy in this novel?

How do Miss Sterling Harper and Al Hunt's suicides compare and contrast? How do they each affect Kay Scarpetta?

Is PJ morally justified in handing over Beryl Madison's manuscript to Kay Scarpetta? Why or why not?

Do any of scientific and technical passages in the novel throw you or has Patricia Cornwell done an adequate job of explaining the jargon? Which of the technical parts do you find the most useful? Why?

How would you describe Kay Scarpetta in midlife? What do her reactions to Mark James reveal about her?