The Whistler

John Grisham

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-13

Chapters 14-19

Chapters 20-23

Chapters 24-28

Chapters 29-35

Chapters 36-40

Chapters 41-42 and Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Chapters 14-19Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 14-17 Summary

The Dodge Ram that the killer and his accomplice used in the collision that killed Hugo was stolen in Foley, Alabama. A video recording shows the truck being stolen by a man identified as Berl Munger and an unidentified accomplice.

Three days after the accident, Lacy recovers consciousness. Her brother, Gunther, arrives to watch over her. He’s big, loud, and argumentative but is devoted to Lacy. When not bullying nurses, Gunther is on his phone or his computer focusing intensely on elaborate real-estate deals. Lacy’s boss, Michael Guismar, tells Gunther enough about the collision for Gunther to realize that it wasn’t an accident. He presses Lacy to remember everything she can. Eventually, she remembers seeing a man wearing a headlamp circling the car. She recalls that two other people and a third vehicle were at the scene.

Chapter 18 Summary

Constable Lyman Gritt arrives at the police station to find the tribal chief waiting for him. The chief wants to know what’s going on with the investigation into the car collision. Lyman doesn’t trust the chief and has been keeping two files—one official file and a second, secret one at home. The chief is annoyed that Lyman doesn’t know more about the collision. The chief wants to know why the BJC was on Native American land, where they have no authority. He demands to know why Lyman hasn’t talked to “the girl,” Lacy. Lyman explains that he can’t because she has been unconscious—and after she woke up, her doctors wouldn’t let him speak to her. After determining that Lyman hasn’t told anyone anything critical about the case, the chief fires him. Lyman challenges the chief with the truth: that the chief is intentionally covering up the fact that the collision was deliberate murder. The chief answers, “You got it” (181).

Lacy’s boss comes to her hospital room to tell her that Verna Hatch is being advised by some of Hugo’s old law school buddies to sue everybody remotely connected to Hugo’s death, including Lacy. Lacy feels heartbroken at the implication that Verna blames her for Hugo’s death. Guismar advises her not to contact Verna until Verna has had a chance to recover from the shock.

Chapter 19 Summary

Gunther returns home, giving everyone a much-needed rest from his energy. Lacy returns home. Guismar comes to see her at her apartment. He reminds her that they have only two weeks to file the complaint on Judge McDover. Otherwise, they must drop it. He asks if she still wants the case, and she answers that she wants it now more than ever.

Guismar is unenthusiastic. Although Hugo’s death seems to confirm that the judge is involved in something illegal, the evidence is insubstantial. The BJC isn’t equipped to investigate this kind of crime. They need to get the FBI involved, but that might alienate Greg Myers, who doesn’t trust the FBI because of his previous arrest—and Myers is their only connection to the mole.

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Lacy’s plan is to serve the complaint on the judge first and then go to the FBI when they have more information. Their shaky foundation will give Dubose and McDover false confidence. That way, they can keep digging without spooking either Myers or the judge.

Chapters 14-19 Analysis

Lacy’s brother, Gunther, is one of the story’s most colorful characters—a complex mix of annoying, overpowering, impulsive, and enormously kind. The contradiction makes him both humorous and immensely likable. The strength of his character—so much more intense than any of the other characters—makes his presence in the story compelling and foreshadows that he will remain a part of it. Hugo’s death has left a void, and Gunther is the only one who has the strength to carry off the sidekick/supporting character role. In addition, Gunther is a foil for Vonn Dubose. Both are heavily invested in real estate, and Gunther’s constant wheeling and dealing suggests that the two men are similarly forceful and driven. Gunther is the honest man that Dubose could have been.

Lacy and her brother have more in common than appears on the surface. She’s quiet and calm, whereas he’s louder than life—but she has the same unstoppable drive and determination. Gunther manifests himself in the story whenever Lacy needs to call on her considerable force of will, while Lacy represents Gunther’s hidden tender side.

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The scene with Lyman Gritt illustrates the depth and pervasiveness of the corruption spreading from the casino dealings and contaminating everything they touch. The tribal chief doesn’t even try to deny that the collision was deliberate or that his intention is to cover up the crime. Lyman demonstrates the limitations of intimidation as a strategy: When applied to people who value honesty and justice, it may solidify their determination to resist.

Lacy’s boss doesn’t understand the attachment between Lacy and Verna. It seems plausible to him that Verna might consider holding Lacy to blame for Hugo’s death. However, Lacy’s close friendship with Verna makes the news of Verna’s accusation particularly painful for Lacy.