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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. How does Hilda describe the individual that she "sees" with Fred and Deborah when they disappeared?

2. Who or what is called Neptune?

3. What object does Scarpetta learn was left in the abandoned cars of the other murdered teen couples?

4. Who are the two investigators Scarpetta lunches with to discuss the missing teens case?

5. What was found in an ice chest at the crime scene?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of Pat Harvey's political connections on the investigation of her daughter's disappearance?

2. Why does Scarpetta feel betrayed by Abby Turnbull in Chapter 4?

3. Describe the appearance of the bodies of Harvey and Cheney at the murder scene.

4. How does Scarpetta's Italian background influence some of her decisions?

5. Describe Linda, the firearms expert who works with Scarpetta.

6. Why is a politically inspired kidnapping such a disturbing possibility?

7. Explain the difference if a cut is found on the top of a hand or on the palms.

8. What does Marino think the killer did to get Fred to go into the woods without resistance?

9. Why does Scarpetta dread having lunch with Pat Harvey?

10. As Chapter 1 opens, what is Scarpetta's perspective on working with other police agencies involved in VICAP?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the plot significance of Pat Harvey's job as "drug czar." Be sure to touch on the FBI, the Justice Department, the CIA, the questionable charities, the investigation of The Couple Killings.

Essay Topic 2

Hilda Ozimek, the psychic, played a key role in this story. The following two part question addresses the nature of this character in the development of the story's plot. Be sure to support your answer using examples from the story.

a) How is Ozimek's character useful in moving the story forward?

b) Could the author have used another device or character with equal effectiveness?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of trust runs through the book. Select two relationships below and describe how the element of trust influenced the nature of the relationship and the decisions of the individuals within that relationship.

1) Abby Turnbull and Kay Scarpetta

2) Kay Scarpetta and Benton Wesley

3) Abby Turnbull and Clifford Ring

4) Kay Scarpetta and Mark James

5) Kay Scarpetta and Pat Harvey

(see the answer keys)

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