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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 had Lori eaten very close to the time of her death?

3. What does Scarpetta learn happened at the Peterson the night that Lori was killed?

4. Which of the following is NOT a speculation from Marino in chapter eight for the reason that the killer used a knife rather than a gun?

5. What had Benton been before becoming an FBI agent?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Scarpetta told happened to their computer system in chapter five?

2. What does Scarpetta note about Marino and his thoughts on suspects for Lori Peterson's killer.

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

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

5. Describe the scene outside when Scarpetta leaves the crime scene.

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

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

8. Describe the scene in chapter one after Mr. Peterson says he doesn't want everyone looking at his wife in the bedroom?

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

10. What does Scarpetta say about Bertha and their work relationship?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Part 1) What does it say about Bill that he asked Marino to keep an eye on Scarpetta?

Part 2) Is it possible that Bill will attack another woman, if he was guilty of raping Abby?

Part 3) Is there any indication that Bill will be back in other Scarpetta books? Explain why the author would or would not reuse him.

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

What is it that Scarpetta feels for the victims that she has had to autopsy for this murder? What does it reveal about Scarpetta that she has let it get to her on a personal level? Could part of the reason she has taken these murder's to heart be in part because she is a woman.

(see the answer keys)

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