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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. Who does Scarpetta recognize Sullivan to be?

2. Why is Scarpetta not looking forward to her meeting with Grueman after her meeting with the bird expert?

3. What happens to Grimes by the end of the novel?

4. What job offer does Benton make to Scarpetta by the end of the novel?

5. What was Robyn Naismith's body propped up against at her crime scene?

Short Essay Questions

1. Over dinner at the ski lodge, what do Benton and Scarpetta decide is an unlikely hypothesis of Waddell?

2. What personal advice does Marino give Scarpetta over lunch once rumors surrounding Susan's death have hit the papers?

3. Why does Benton not believe that Waddell would be capable of the recent murders?

4. What does Scarpetta suspect about the briefcase Jennifer's ex-husband gives her?

5. What act of kindness does Scarpetta do for Charlie Hale?

6. What question does Grueman have about Scarpetta's finances?

7. Why does Scarpetta find the request to see her guns ridiculous?

8. What does the bird expert say about the feathers found at every crime scene?

9. Why is Scarpetta relieved of her duties?

10. What does Scarpetta accuse Ben of during the confrontation in Ben's office?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Present a well-reasoned paper arguing whether the reader is supposed to find Lucy a likable (intelligent, funky young adult) character OR an unlikable (spoiled, bratty, obnoxious teenager) character. Make sure to use specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Dr. Scarpetta is a highly educated woman in a position of great power. Some might argue, however, that her character is unbelievable. Write a well-written argument discussing whether or not Scarpetta is a believable character and, if so, what three literary devices Cornwell uses to make her believable (or, in contrast, what literary devices Cornwell uses that makes her, in fact, unbelievable).

Essay Topic 3

Some fans of the Scarpetta series have been disappointed in later books in the series. They believe that Cornwell has drifted away from what makes Scarpetta so appealing in the first place. Discuss the 3 most appealing aspects of Scarpetta's character. How does Cornwell convey those characteristics to the audience so that the reader is drawn into the book/series?

(see the answer keys)

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