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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 Labrador's name?

2. With whom is Healy an investigator?

3. Describe Kevin's room.

4. What does this girl do when she starts toward the house and sees Spenser?

5. He goes home and calls Susan, inviting her to what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why has Kevin never received psychiatric counseling?

2. What does Spenser note about the Bartlett home?

3. What is odd about the ransom note?

4. What is learned about Vic? What happens when Vic and Spenser meet?

5. Who is in the Bartlett home?

6. What does Spenser realize about Susan? What does he do about this? What is her response?

7. What information does Susan Silverman give about Kevin?

8. What do Healy, Trask, and Spenser discuss?

9. What information does Mr. Moriarty give Spenser?

10. What is in the coffin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This case ends with the return of Kevin.

Part 1) What might be Kevin's fate now that it is learned he was not kidnapped as first thought?

Part 2) What will happen to Vic? Will Kevin try to help him? Why or why not?

Part 3) What might come of the other characters in the book, now that the case is over?

Essay Topic 2

Spenser has a sense of humor and is very sarcastic.

Part 1) Describe Spenser's sense of humor and sarcasm. How does it affect his relationships?

Part 2) How does his humor and sarcasm help him in his investigative work?

Part 3) How does this humor and sarcasm affect the reader, one's engagement in the book? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Susan and Spenser discuss Dr. Croft at the party.

Part 1) Why do they discuss him? What does this reveal about both Susan and Spenser?

Part 2) What does this reveal about Dr. Croft? How does help to explain what is later discovered about him?

Part 3) How are subtle details, such as this seemingly unimportant discussion, used as clues to solve the case?

(see the answer keys)

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