Summary

In Chapter 1, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, Isabelle Lacoste, and Jean-Guy Beauvoir kept a close eye on spectators entering the old gymnasium at a university near Three Pines, where Armand lived. Armand was concerned because the ideas the lecturer was spreading were so volatile. He watched as two people, both wearing buttons with the phrase “All will be well” (3) on them, began to scuffle with one another. An officer ended the argument, but Armand knew it was not a good sign when people who claimed to be on the same side were arguing with one another.

Jean-Guy, also Armand’s son-in-law, reported from his post at the door that some people had brought children to the event. The officers were particularly concerned about the children in case a melee broke out or the crowd panicked. No one had tried to bring a weapon inside...