Book 3, Act of Violence: Chapters 1-6 Summary

In chapter one, Norman spends a week following Philippa and Mary Ducton before he discovers the restaurant where they work in the evenings. This knowledge gives Norman the advantage of knowing in which hours their flat will be vacant. Norman's hatred of Mary Ducton grows as he watches her, as he sees her laugh and talk with her daughter, while his daughter lies dead in her grave. Norman thinks through the possibilities of attack and decides he must gain access to the flat. In chapter two, Philippa and Mary Ducton spend a great deal of time talking about literature. One of these discussions inspires Philippa to take her mother to Royal Academy to view the Victorian paintings. While they are there, they run into Gabriel Lomas, Philippa's boyfriend. Philippa introduces her mother, but...