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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 say that her co-worker, Betty, reminded her of?

2. What does Marino say to Scarpetta when she is ready to leave?

3. Who does Amburgey say that the press has cited their source as in the paper?

4. What does Scarpetta say after Marino has driven her to all the women's houses?

5. What two magazines does Scarpetta notice on the table in Lori Peterson's home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the differences that Scarpetta talks about between her and the previous medical examiner, Cagney.

2. What does Marino find out about the rape charges that Matt Peterson had been brought up on when he was younger?

3. What is Scarpetta told while in Amburgey's office in chapter six?

4. What does Scarpetta write about Lori Peterson in the end of chapter two in regards to her health?

5. What does Marino tell Scarpetta in chapter eight about what Tanner has told him?

6. Describe what Scarpetta recalls happening when Amburgey had visited the morgue for the first time.

7. In chapter four Marino tells Scarpetta about different murderers that he has brought in. Explain what it is he says and how it links to the current investigation.

8. What does Scarpetta say has happened in the city since the newspaper reporters began covering the murders?

9. What does Scarpetta know about the glittery substance found on the bodies?

10. In chapter one what does Scarpetta note about the victims?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Part 1) In what ways does Scarpetta compare to her predecessor, Cagney?

Part 2) Is it possible that much of what she feels, in regards to the way she is viewed compared to Cagney, is only psychological? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Pick one of the following to write about:

1) Speculate on what it was about Matt Peterson that Scarpetta also believed was not adding up. Is there a reason that the author wouldn't have gone back to answer this question?

2) What role does the DNA and forensic evidence play in the story? Could the story have been written and focused much less on this information? Explain.

3) Which of the subplots seen in the story are likely to be looked at again in later books in the series? Explain why these seem significant.

Essay Topic 3

Part 1) What is significant about Scarpetta's dreams?

Part 2) In what way does Scarpetta's feelings toward her father tie into the murders and the way that Scarpetta views the murderer? Why does her dead father turn into the murderer in the end of the chapter?

(see the answer keys)

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