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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. Where does Scarpetta speculate that the killer must have touched Peterson first because the largest deposit of the glittery substance is found there.

2. What was Lori Peterson's profession?

3. What is on Mr. Peterson's disks regarding his literary dissertations.

4. Who pulls up as Marino and Scarpetta leave Lori Peterson's house in chapter one?

5. How long does Scarpetta have to wait in the lobby before Amburgey calls her into his office?

Short Essay Questions

1. In chapter two what does Scarpetta note about Lori Peterson's injuries?

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

3. What do Betty and Scarpetta talk about in chapter six?

4. Who does Scarpetta say would have had access to the information about the murders?

5. Describe the scene in chapter two where Scarpetta is alone in the morgue.

6. Describe what the crime scene in Lori Peterson's house looks like.

7. Describe the scene in chapter five when Marino becomes upset with Kay and Benton just before he storms out of the room.

8. 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.

9. Describe what Scarpetta is thinking about her sister while in the kitchen with Lucy in chapter seven?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Part 1) Describe the effect that the stress has on Scarpetta over the course of the story.

Part 2) Is it understandable that Scarpetta forgot to load the gun?

Essay Topic 3

Part 1) Describe Bill Boltz. How does it change the reader's view of Bill when it is learned that he raped Abby?

Part 2) Speculate on whether or not Abby was lying.

(see the answer keys)

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