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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 is the main character's job?

2. Why does the cop get arrested?

3. The area used as the initial setting borders which two countries?

4. What is the name of the widow Brunetti must question?

5. After the crash, where did the vehicle land?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the first scene in the book? What time of year is it? Why are the scene and the weather important to the rest of the story?

2. Explain the scene involving the truck in as much detail as possible. Include the location, the speed of the vehicle and where the truck came from in the first place.

3. Who discovers Trevisan's body? What is the character's initial reaction? What does the character do?

4. How does Brunetti learn about Trevisan's murder? What are Brunetti's initial thoughts?

5. How does Paola react to Chiara's news? What does Paola try to explain to Chiara?

6. What does Brunetti find in Favero's possession? Why does the finding puzzle Brunetti?

7. Who is the first murder victim in the story? Where is the man going when he is murdered?

8. Describe the people found at the scene at the accident. What questions are asked? What is the determination of the accident victims?

9. Who initially attempts to help the accident victims? Why might this action be unusual? What happened next?

10. What does the doctor think killed Favero? How much of the substance was present? What does it mean?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Brunetti did a favor for the Chief Justice regarding his son. Describe the situation with the son, the problem, how Brunetti got involved, and how the judge related to the entire scenario. Also explore how the incident affected Brunetti's relationship with the judge. What actions were made to help the son? Were the actions effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In the beginning of Chapter 1, the reader is introduced to a scene in which a truck from Romania crashes in the Italian Alps. Examine the presence of the truck, why it crashed, and what it means to the story. Why is it important to know that the truck is from Romania? Why does the origin of the truck and cargo matter in the story? Why do you think the author chose Romania over Bosnia or some other country? What is the special appeal about eastern European girls? How might they have been contacted and coerced to make the trip?

Essay Topic 3

Brunetti does not always follow the rules, however he is adept at getting results. One way in which Brunetti may have broken the rules is by lying to or coercing the interviewees and suspects. Examine Brunetti's interview and investigation techniques. Which are questionable? What is the punishment for improper methods? What might Patta do if he found out about Brunetti's methods? How did Brunetti handle the pimp and the prostitute?

(see the answer keys)

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