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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. What does Lettice Wood's violent reaction to the question of whether or not Catherine Tarrant had shot the murder victim cause Rutledge to realize about her?

2. How does Wilton react when Rutledge asks if there were rivals for Lettice Wood's affection?

3. What does Rutledge realize about Lettice Wood that causes Hamish to talk to him about witches?

4. Where is the body of the murder victim found?

5. Who does Davies say is a spineless coward in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Helena Sommers? What is unusual about her living arrangements?

2. Why does Royston tell Rutledge he once borrowed money from Colonel Harris?

3. Why does Rutledge have Davies check the railroad for out of town visitors the day of the murder?

4. Who is Bowles? Why does he dislike Rutledge?

5. Who is Daniel Hickam? Why is he not considered a reliable witness in the murder of Colonel Charles Harris?

6. What does Rutledge note as odd in Wilton's behavior toward Lettice in the aftermath of Harris' murder?

7. What does Rutledge learn about Catherine Tarrant that might provide motive for her to kill Harris?

8. What does Rutledge think of the reunion between Lettice Wood and Captain Wilton in Chapter 9?

9. Who is Hamish McLeod? What is his connection to Rutledge?

10. What is ironic about the death of Hamish McLeod as described in Chapter 9?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Helena Sommers? What is her connection to the murder of Harris? When does Rutledge meet Maggie Sommers? What kind of animal to the Sommers' sister keep in their yard? What is unusual about this? Where does Rutledge often see Helena Sommers? Has Rutledge ever seen the Sommers' sisters together? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

What is shell shock? Who experiences shell shock in this novel? What symptoms of shell shock does each character experience in the novel? What is the modern equivalent of shell shock? How does shell shock influence or take away from the investigation into Harris' murder? How has shell shock have the power to ruin the reputation of a main character of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Who is the main suspect in the murder of Harris? What does Rutledge think about the evidence he has gathered against this suspect? Does Scotland Yard support Rutledge's conclusions? Does Rutledge have the full support of his superiors at Scotland Yard? Explain. What could potentially happen to Ian Rutledge if he fails to solve this case in a satisfactory manner? Why do many people complain that Rutledge is taking too long to solve the case? Is he? How does Rutledge respond to this pressure?

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