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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. In Chapter 29, what does Brian want to know if Sarah did when he first arrives at her apartment?

2. Charlie learns that Earl has made what claims against the prison system?

3. What makes Sarah think that Otis Timson might be in danger from Miles?

4. In Chapter 36, what does Brian momentarily think Miles intends to do to him?

5. In Chapter 35, what question tortures Miles most about Brian's confession?

Short Essay Questions

1. What detail of Brian's story finally gets through to Miles and makes him realize that it was only an accident?

2. Why does the unnamed narrator begin to spy on Jonah and Miles? What does he hope to see?

3. What does Charlie imply he knows about Brian Andrews? How does Miles respond?

4. Who calls Charlie with information about Miles? What does Charlie do as a result of these phone calls?

5. What story does Sims tell Miles that makes Miles rush out of the sheriff's office without first speaking to Charlie?

6. What threats against Miles does the district attorney and the Timson family attorney make to Charlie?

7. Why does Miles not tell Charlie the truth about his car accident and why he had Brian Andrews handcuffed in the back of his car? Why does Charlie not question him further?

8. In Chapter 27, whom does Sarah turn to for advice about Miles? What is Sarah most concerned about in regards to Miles?

9. What does the unnamed narrator say he was doing the night of Missy's death?

10. In Chapter 28, why does the unnamed narrator say he finally felt as though he could stop watching the Ryan home? Why is this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Miles arrest Otis Timson? Should Miles have arrested Otis on charges of killing Missy? Should Miles have handled the situation differently? Why did Miles hold a gun to Otis' head? What charges could Miles face for doing such a thing? Was Miles acting inappropriately? What does it say about Miles that he did not kill Otis when given the chance? Why did Miles not tell Charlie immediately what was going on? What might have happened differently if Miles had gone to Charlie first?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Miles accuse Sarah of having known of Brian's role in Missy death all along? What does Miles think Sarah was trying to do? Why did Miles push Sarah away? Why did Miles say that he could not be with Sarah after learning the truth about Brian? Did Miles still blame Sarah in some way? Why does Miles take Jonah and go away for a while at the end of the book? What was the meaning of the two candles that Sarah sees in her window later? What does this suggest about Miles and Sarah's relationship after the close of the book?

Essay Topic 3

How does Miles feel about dating Sarah? What does Miles tell Sarah about Missy? Is Miles comfortable dating again? Why does Miles take Sarah on the tour of haunted houses in downtown New Bern? What story does Miles specifically want Sarah to hear? In that story, why did Katheryn place candles in her window? What was the message these candles were supposed to give to Harris? What does Sarah take from this story? What did Miles want her to take from the story? How do the candles become a symbol to Sarah later in the book?

(see the answer keys)

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