Summary

In Chapter 1, Harriet Landers cursed herself when she realized she had forgotten to repeat the incantation her Auntie Myrna Landers gave her. According to Myrna, if Harriet repeated “Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” (1) first thing on the first day of each month, it would bring her good luck and protect her.

The novel’s timeline goes back about a decade to a November morning when Gamache was called to investigate the murder of Clotilde Arsenault. She had been reported missing the day before by her two children.

In Chapter 2, in the present, Gamache spoke to Myrna, who said that Harriet was almost sick with anxiety about what was planned for the day. Gamache nodded because he was nervous as well. Gamache told Myrna that he had just received confirmation that Fiona would be there. He added he had confirmed that he had spoken with the...