1. Who are the men who caused a disruption in the inner courtyard of the Hoover Building, allowing for the assassination attempt undertaken by Nikki Williams?

2. Who is John Sampson? Why does Alex Cross tell him about the Weasel and the Wolf's ransom demands?

3. What happens to a woman inside the building when the law enforcement agents raid the apartment?

4. Why does Alex Cross place Elizabeth Cassady under surveillance?

5. What motive does the owner of the bomb launched against Sunrise Valley suggest he has for such an action?

6. What does Alex learn the Weasel was attempting to sell the terrorists during his visit to the apartment?

7. Why does Alex Cross go to Seattle while on vacation on the West Coast?

8. What happens to Nikki as she finishes her job and goes to leave the helicopter?

9. What are PMCs and what do they have to do with the investigation?

10. Who does the Weasel take home with him on the night in which the novel opens?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is the Wolf? Why does the Wolf want to hold the governments of the United States, France, and Germany to a ransom? What is the purpose of this ransom? How does the Wolf prove he is serious? Why does the Wolf not kill the people of Sunrise Valley? What does this say about the Wolf? What is the Wolf's favorite target? Why does the Wolf choose these targets? Why does the Wolf kill everyone who has seen his face? Why does the Wolf hand out assignments in puzzle pieces? How does this format help protect the Wolf from arrest? How does Alex Cross know who the Wolf is? What is the Wolf's connection to Tom Weir? How does this connection eventually lead Alex Cross to the Wolf's real identity?

Essay Topic 2

Who is Alex Cross? How many novels by James Patterson has Cross appeared in? Why? What is Alex's educational background? Professional background? Why does Alex chose to work as a cop rather than a doctor? Who was Alex's partner when he worked with the Washington, D.C. police force? How did they know each other? What kind of father is Alex? What kind of grandson? What does it say about Alex in that he lives with his grandmother? Why is Alex in a custody battle with the mother of his youngest child? How is that connected to this case? What happened to Alex's first wife? Is Alex optimistic of ever learning the truth about that situation? Explain.