View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Whose does Spenser visit after Pelletier?

2. What does Spenser see is printed on the mug?

3. What does the mug on the side contain?

4. As what does Farrell hire Spenser?

5. Where is Susan doing her internship?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alexander say he plans to do if he can't find a way out of the blackmail?

2. How do Susan and Spenser complement each other?

3. Describe Spenser.

4. What does Spenser do when he returns home from his office?

5. What move does Spenser make when Morris leaves his office?

6. How does Spenser make the break-in look like a random burglary?

7. How does Meade deal with the angry women in Chapter 3?

8. What problems does Ronni prove she has in this section?

9. What does Spenser do before he meets Cosgrove?

10. How does Meade deal with his wife's drinking problem?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the book.

1. How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2. Discuss elements of the narrative structure - exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 3

The Spenser books greatly influenced crime fiction. Choose a book that you think was influenced by the book and discuss its similarities with the book in terms of the following;

1. Plot

2. Character

3. Themes.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 670 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample