1. Who seems to be a more important character, Dr. Watson or Sherlock Holmes?
2. A Study in Scarlet was first published in 1888. Are there phrases used or actions reported in the book that a modern author would avoid even when attempting to set a book in the 1880s?
3. According to Sherlock Holmes, "There are fifty who can reason synthetically for one who can reason analytically." (Doyle, p. 123). In your own words what is Holmes trying to convey?
4. How did Holmes solve the crime and track down the murderer? Is he a believable character?
5. What was the most believable? the least believable?
References: Doyle, Arthur Conan. A Study in Scarlet. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.
1. The book is divided into five parts, each with a subtitle. What do these subtitles mean, and how do they relate to their subsection?/p>
2. The second page of many chapters is a list of characteristics for UNSUB 823. Describe how Rhyme comes to the conclusions posted in Chapter 15. You would may focus on just a few of the characteristics and give a more in-depth explanation of how these conclusions were reached.
3. Compare and contrast Rhyme and Holmes as criminalists. What are their similarities? What are their differences?
4. Lincoln Rhyme is trying to kill himself, or more correctly he is seeking assistance so that he can die. Would you help Rhyme commit suicide?
5. If you remember, Sherlock Holmes said "There are fifty who can reason synthetically for one who can reason analytically." (Doyle, p. 123). Do you think Holmes would feel that Rhyme is able to reason analytically?
References: Doyle, Arthur Conan. A Study in Scarlet. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.
Deaver, Jeffrey. The Bone Collector. London: Penguin Books, 1997.
1. In his preface to The Woman in White, Collins wrote, “An experiment is attempted in this novel, which has not (so far as I know) been hitherto tried in fiction. The story…is told throughout by the characters of the book.” (3). Do you believe that this experiment was a success for you? Did it help or lose your attention?
2. What are the benefits and consequences of writing using first person narratives?
3. How does this string of first person narratives compare for instance to the Bone Collector’s use of one, Lincoln Rhyme?
4. Why does Mrs. Catherick have Anne, her daughter, put into an asylum? What justifies her choice? Would you have done the same?>/p>
5. Many of the novels which we are reading have unexpected twists and turns. In The Woman in White, what was the most unbelievable twist, if any, too you?
You should also be prepared to discuss the following questions in class: The assignment deals with Old Bones.
1. Is Gideon Oliver a believable crime solver? Why or Why not?
2. There are a number of twists and turns in the book, did you find these engaging?
3. How many murders were committed in the book? How were they related? Who committed them?
1. Dr. Alex Blake's new job with the Armed Forces Institute has her involved in crime solving. Is her character believable in this role?
2. The book begins with a murder by a serial killer who tattoos and then leaves dead women at military bases. What are the various leads, and how is the case eventually solved?
3. Later in the book, the FBI director's ex-husband is murdered. How is this related to the serial killer case? Who are the various suspects in the case? How is the case eventually solved?
4. Why does Gene-Ease want a connection with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology? Is the proposed collaboration ethical? Why or why not?
5. What was Alex's motivation for pursuing her career path?
1. Both Temperance Brennan and Gideon Oliver are forensic anthropologists. How is their approach to cases the same? How is their approach to cases different?
2. The book starts out with Tempe in the village of Chupan Ya. What investigation is Tempe participating in? Why is she drawn to the investigation? Would you be?
3. There are four murders in Guatemala City, and Tempe is called in to help with the investigation. The murders are linked to research being done on stem cell lines. The United States government prevents federal money from being used to develop new stem cell lines or to do any research on new stem cell lines. Is this a good policy? Why or why not?
1. The homicides originally don't seem to be linked. How do the detectives link the cases and prove they are the work of a serial killer?
2. According to the San Francisco Chronicle this is "a fast-paced thriller by the page-turningest author in the game right now." Do you agree? Why or why not?
3. Lindsay Boxer is clearly the lead character. What roles do the other women (Claire, Jill, Cindy) play in the series?
4. Years ago, Marty Boxer ran out on Lindsay and her mother. What problems was he running from? Do you think he was a good cop? Why or why not?
5. The initial suspect was Frank Coombs Sr. What clues lead the police to suspect Coombs? Why didn't they make a quick arrest? What eventually clears him of the crime? Are the various assumptions reasonable?
1. What do you see as your current strengths as a writer? What do you plan to do in your remaining years at Hiram to build on these strengths?
2. What do you see as your current weaknesses as a writer? What do you plan to do in our remaining years at Hiram to address these weaknesses?
As you prepare for today's discussion, think about the following questions. There is no need to write a paper answering these questions, but do think about them as you read the book. Additionally, please bring at least one new question or topic to class. The questions deal with Cruel and Unusual.
1. In her role as the chief medical examiner for the state of Virginia, Kay Scarpetta is intimately involved in solving crimes. Do you find her believable? Why or why not?
2. What are the clues and how does Dr. Scarpetta use them to solve the crime?
3. Both Dr. Scarpetta and Dr. Brennan are strong-willed women involved in crime investigation. How are their approaches similar? Different?,
4. According to Cruel and Unusual (pg 201), the death of an unborn child is not considered murder in Virginia. What are the ethical issues involved in crimes on pregnant women? How would you judge such a crime?
5. In the story, AFIS was tampered with. Do you find this to be a realistic scenario? How comfortable are you with the reliability of fingerprints and using them to solve crimes?
Do you love mysteries? Consider the following books. You can use the questions as guides.
Kathy Reichs' book Deadly Decisions.
1. Does Tempe Brennan’s emotional connection to the cases she is attempting to solve aid or hinder her ability to solve them? Why?
2. Is the story that Kathy Reichs portrays believable? Why or why not?
3. What resources were used to solve the case?
4. How are Sherlock Holmes and Tempe Bennan portrayed differently in their stories? How did their roles as investigators differ?
5. Do you feel that Tempe Brennan’s actions were justified in the final moments during the shootout at the cemetery? In essence, should Tempe be considered a hero or chastised because of her inability to follow protocol.
6. How was Kit important to the case? What was the purpose of Kit? Was Kit’s involvement with the bikers essential to the storyline of the book?
7. What elements/details did Reichs add to the story by writing it in first person?
Dorothy Sayer's book Documents in the Case.
1. The novel was published in 1930 by Sayers, who is not a scientist but who had extensive collaboration on the scientific portions of the story. What are some examples of scientific knowledge that date the story? Are there examples that are still accepted today?
2. This book also shows a shift halfway. What do you think the purpose was? How dies it differ from A Study in Scarlet?
3. How is the crime scene investigation approached in this book? How does it differ from A Study in Scarlet?
Tess Gerritsen's The Apprentice.
1. What is Tess Gerritsen's academic background? Do you think she is a credible author?
2. How does Gerritsen's training influence her writing?
3. What types of techniques were used in tracking down the "Apprentice?" Look up one of them on the internet and provide a brief scientific description of the technique. Was Gerritsen's description of the technique accurate?
4. What aspects of the novel did you find effective?
5. What do you think the author should change about the book?
Linda Fairstein's Cold Hit.
1. Are the relationships between Mercer, Cooper, and Wallace influenced by gender roles? Provide examples from the book to support your answer.
2. Did you like the book? Why or why not?
3. What types of techniques were used in tracking down the perpetrator? Look up one of them on the internet and provide a brief scientific description of the technique. Do Fairstein's characters make proper use of the technique?
4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Mercer, Cooper, and Wallace?
5. How would you change the book?