The Madness of Crowds

The teens tells Gamache and Jean-Guy that they have found a body in the woods. Gamache rushes to the scene, where the body of Debbie Schneider is lying in the snow, not far from the party. She has been struck violently in the head and was killed just before midnight. The coroner later confirms that the murder weapon was likely a log. This likely means that the log was subsequently burned in the bonfire. Gamache goes inside and explains that everyone at the party will need to be questioned: He believes one of them must have killed Debbie while attempting to kill Abigail. Because of Abigail’s controversial beliefs, there are many people with a motive to kill her.

Accompanied by Colette, Jean-Guy and Gamache tell Abigail that Debbie is dead. Abigail and Colette retrace the events of the night: Before midnight, after the confrontation with Vincent Gilbert, Colette and Debbie wanted to leave and got their coats, but Abigail lingered to speak with Annie and Jean-Guy. Colette and Debbie went outside to wait. Eventually, Colette decided to go back inside and left Debbie waiting outside alone just before midnight.

At midnight, Abigail looked for Debbie but couldn’t find her anywhere.