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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. When Lynley and Helen attend the jazz concert, the younger of the two men playing a game issues a challenge to a professor. Who is the challenge issued to?

2. When Lynley and Havers are questioning Thorsson, what does Lynley take from Thorsson's room?

3. After the scuffle in Sarah Gordon's home when Lynley bursts in, who actually fires the gun?

4. While being questioned by Lynley and Havers, how did Gareth communicate with the police officers?

5. According to what Sarah tells Anthony, why did Sarah murder Elena?

Short Essay Questions

1. In her house, why does Sarah tell Anthony Weaver that she killed Elena?

2. What does Melinda find when she returns home in Chapter 16?

3. What type of scholar was the second murder victim?

4. What is a muller?

5. What ties the two murder victims together?

6. When Sarah tells Anthony why she killed Elena, how does Anthony respond?

7. To get around the petty dispute of the two forensics experts at the Cambridge Constabulary, what does Lynley suggest to the Detective Inspector?

8. Before collecting several items from Thorsson's bedroom, what does Lynley have Havers do?

9. How does Pen discover what had originally been on the destroyed canvas that Glyn Weaver gave to Lynley?

10. While questioning Gareth Randolph, what do both Lynley and Havers notice about Gareth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Rosalyn Simpson and Victor Troughton are not immediately forthcoming when questioned about Elena's murder. Compare the motivations each of these characters has for withholding vital information from Lynley. What changes for each of these characters before they tell the entire truth to Lynley? How does their truthfulness impact Lynley's investigation?

Essay Topic 2

While assisting Lynley in the investigation into Elena's murder, Barbara Havers is also dealing with the situation surrounding her mother. Describe the situation that Barbara Havers is dealing with at home, how the situation affects her work, and how the situation affects her worldview. What does Barbara learn from her partner that helps her deal with her home situation?

Essay Topic 3

In many ways, the novel is a series of contrasts designed to heighten the reader's awareness and draw the reader deeper into the story and the intricacies of each of the story's characters. Identify at least three contrasts that are used in the novel. Describe these contrasts and determine how they impact the story's plot as well as the reader's emotional involvement in the characters' lives. If these identified contrasts were not included in the story, what impact would their absence have on the storyline, the characters' development, and the readers' involvement?

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