Chapter 17: The Storm, the Plot, and the Monastery
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Gamache and Beauvoir endure a terrifying flight through a thunderstorm in a small single-engine plane. The aircraft is flung violently; both men brace for death. The plane eventually crash-lands on a lake near the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, where two monks witness their arrival. Earlier, at Sûreté headquarters, Gamache meets with Organized Crime head Evelyn Tardiff, who dismisses the connection between two execution-style killings and the mob. He then drives to Vankleek Hill to meet RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Lavigne. Gamache reveals a suspected plot to poison Montréal's drinking water, potentially orchestrated by powerful figures including Deputy PM Marcus Lauzon. Lavigne initially expresses disbelief but agrees to investigate and keep the information from others, including Tardiff and Sûreté head Madeleine Toussaint. Gamache decides to trust Lavigne based on a past gesture of kindness. The chapter ends with the plane landing safely but dramatically at the monastery, where Gamache hopes to find Dom Philippe.
Key Events
- Gamache and Beauvoir fly through a violent thunderstorm, believing they will crash.
- Flashback to Gamache's meeting with Evelyn Tardiff, who downplays mob involvement in two murders.
- Gamache meets RCMP Commissioner David Lavigne at the Broken Kettle restaurant.
- Gamache discloses a suspected bioweapon plot targeting Montreal's water supply.
- Lavigne and Gamache discuss the possibility of a coup d'état via suspension of civil liberties.
- Gamache reveals his distrust of Tardiff and Toussaint, asking Lavigne to investigate them.
- The plane crash-lands on the lake adjacent to the monastery, witnessed by two monks.
Character Development
- Armand Gamache: Demonstrates a blend of vulnerability and resolve. His terror during the flight shows a human side, while his strategic decisions emphasize his methodical nature. He relies on empathy and past gestures to determine trust, as seen when he decides to confide in Lavigne based on the note about Lavigne's sister-in-law.
- Jean-Guy Beauvoir: Portrayed as deeply afraid in the confined plane, his terror is palpable, but he clings to Gamache, showing their bond and his reliance on his mentor.
- David Lavigne: Initially skeptical and pleading for a simpler explanation, he evolves into a committed ally once the weight of the evidence sinks in. His shock underscores the gravity of the plot.
- Evelyn Tardiff: Appears defensive and evasive, raising Gamache's suspicion that she is not being fully transparent about the organized crime connections.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Trust and Paranoia: The chapter centers on Gamache's struggle to decide whom to trust. He dismisses Tardiff and Toussaint but takes a "beau risque" with Lavigne. The storm itself symbolizes the dangerous uncertainty of the investigation.
- Power and Corruption: The concentration of power in Marcus Lauzon, who holds multiple portfolios, is presented as a threat. The possible use of a public health crisis to suspend civil liberties echoes historical abuses.
- Nature as an Adversary: The storm and near-crash illustrate human vulnerability against natural forces, paralleling the characters' helplessness against a hidden conspiracy.
- The Monastery as Sanctuary: The sudden appearance of the grey-stone monastery and the cross-making monks suggests a place of refuge and spiritual clarity, contrasting with the chaos of the flight and the plot.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 17 is a turning point in the narrative. It solidifies the central conspiracy—a plan to poison Montréal's water supply that could trigger a government takeover. Gamache gains a crucial federal ally in Lavigne, expanding the investigation beyond the Sûreté. The chapter also deepens the mystery around Dom Philippe by bringing Gamache directly to the monastery. The terrifying flight and safe landing create a visceral sense of risk and relief, setting the stage for the next phase of the hunt.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Gamache decide to trust David Lavigne?
He recalls that after his granddaughter Idola was born, Lavigne sent a gift and a note describing his sister-in-law Charlene, who has Down syndrome, and how he cannot imagine life without her. Gamache believes that such empathy makes Lavigne incapable of participating in mass murder. -
What does Gamache suspect Evelyn Tardiff is hiding?
He believes she is not being forthcoming about the organized crime connection to two execution-style murders. Her defensiveness and refusal to see the pattern lead Gamache to suspect she may be involved or protecting someone else. -
What is the significance of the monks making the sign of the cross at the chapter's end?
The gesture underscores the monastery as a sacred space and hints at the gravity of Gamache's mission. It also marks the monks as witnesses to his arrival, likely including Dom Philippe, who may be waiting for him.