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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. From what affliction is Barbara Havers's mother suffering?

2. While at the police station, what does Glyn Weaver demand?

3. According to Randie Webberly, whom did she see in Elena's room on several occasions in the evening?

4. Who is the sexual harassment suit filed by Elena against?

5. When Lynley visits Helen at Pen's home, where do Helen and Lynley make plans to go the next night

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a Ceephone?

2. Why does Glyn want an open casket public viewing of Elena's body?

3. Why is Lynley suspicious of Sarah Gordon even though her alibi checked out?

4. When Lynley reaches the crime scene, what do the local men in the workshop repairing boats believe about the ongoing investigation?

5. The morning that she came upon Elena's body, what had Sarah Gordon decided to do?

6. As Glyn is picking out Elena's coffin, what does she realize?

7. Why did Pen originally decide to become a stay-at-home mother?

8. According to Chapter 2, why is Daniel Sheehan edgy about investigating Elena's murder?

9. According to Terrence Cuff, what is frequented by people living in town but not by university students?

10. What does the preliminary report into Elena's murder state?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In many ways, the novel is a series of contrasts designed to heighten the reader's awareness and draw the reader deeper into the story and the intricacies of each of the story's characters. Identify at least three contrasts that are used in the novel. Describe these contrasts and determine how they impact the story's plot as well as the reader's emotional involvement in the characters' lives. If these identified contrasts were not included in the story, what impact would their absence have on the storyline, the characters' development, and the readers' involvement?

Essay Topic 2

There are two characters introduced in the story who are murdered. Identify these two women and then compare their murders. Be sure to indicate where each character died, how each character died, who was responsible for each character's death, and what impact on the overall plot each character's death had. What could have or should have been learned from each of these deaths by the other characters?

Essay Topic 3

While assisting Lynley in the investigation into Elena's murder, Barbara Havers is also dealing with the situation surrounding her mother. Describe the situation that Barbara Havers is dealing with at home, how the situation affects her work, and how the situation affects her worldview. What does Barbara learn from her partner that helps her deal with her home situation?

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