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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 Scarpetta know Jill Harrington put up a fight?

2. Why is Steven Spurrier arrested?

3. What does Pat Harvey learn about her husband from an article in the Washington Post?

4. Who is Detective Montana?

5. What does Scarpetta notice lying by a chair in a photo of Jill Harrington's apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Scarpetta send Abby Turnbull to check out Barry Aranoff?

2. Explain the importance of Spurrier's aplastic anemia.

3. Why is it significant that Aranoff is not the man that approached Scarpetta and Abby that evening at the restaurant?

4. Why doesn't Marino think Abby talked with anyone at the Post about the Couple Killings?

5. What does the use of the Hydra-Shok bullet suggest to Scarpetta about the killer and the investigation?

6. Why does Abby find it hard to believe the murders of Harrington and Mott are connected to the Couple Killings?

7. What are some reasons Scarpetta is convinced there's a link between Dammit and the Couple Killings?

8. Describe Mr. Joyce and his relationship to Dammit.

9. Why did Camp Peary come under suspicion soon after the Couple Killings started?

10. What does Scarpetta learn about Deborah Harvey's father from an article in the Washington Post?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the similarities and differences between Pat Harvey and Kay Scarpetta in terms of their careers, the choices in their personal lives, and their style of dealing with others. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Manipulating public sentiment is another element in this story, illustrated by Pat Harvey's use of the press. But this can be a move that has serious consequences. What are the dangers of denouncing government agencies publicly? Was Pat Harvey right to go to the press with her accusations? If you were an ordinary citizen, would you have believed Harvey's conspiracy theories? Be sure to fully explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,240 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample