View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Scarpetta go for exercise?

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

3. Who is the main character introduced first in this chapter?

4. What does Pat Harvey want Scarpetta to give her?

5. Who gave Pat Harvey the tip about the possible drug activities of certain charities?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Ozimek explain what she does?

3. Give an example of Scarpetta's scientific approach examining the bodies of Harvey and Cheney in the woods.

4. What prompts Pat Harvey to call in a psychic, Hilda Ozimek?

5. Explain Wesley's reasons for not keeping Scarpetta informed.

6. What is the problem with the cartridge casing Scarpetta finds at the Cheney-Harvey murder scene?

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

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

9. Describe Scarpetta's reaction to the newspaper headlines after the abandoned Jeep was found.

10. Why does Scarpetta wish to avoid answering Pat's question about the search-and-rescue dog in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At one point, Scarpetta tells Marino she believes it's not the selection of the victims that's most important to the killer, it's the selection of the place. What does Scarpetta mean by that statement? Do you think her supposition is correct or not? Support your answer with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Below are three examples of a character or piece of information presented in the story that ultimately proved unimportant in solving the crime. With each example, explain what purpose you think the author had in mind by introducing these elements into the story.

Pete Marino's wife

Scarpetta's niece, Lucy

Deborah Harvey's breast-reduction operation

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,165 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample