43 pages • 1 hour read
Anthony HorowitzStormbreaker
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2000A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 10-12Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 10 Summary: “Death in the Long Grass”
Mrs. Vole wakes Alex to use Stormbreaker. She tells him that Sayle arranged for Alex to relax in the afternoon and suggests that he go for a walk in Port Tallon. Alex likes the idea and agrees. He remains interested in the boxes and learns from MI6 that they could not decipher Ian’s design and reference number. Alex uses Stormbreaker again, this time with a guard supervising him. Later, he notices Mr. Grin using a phone, which confuses him because he is supposedly mute.
In the afternoon, Alex explores the countryside. Suddenly, a quad rushes at him, and he dodges it. He starts running and notices another quad and a drone chasing him. One of them tries to burn him with a flamethrower. Alex falls into a ditch with only part of his shoulders and the ends of his hair singed. He continues running until he reaches an electric fence. One of the pursuers attacks him but hits the fence. Alex takes the quad and tries to escape. The other pursuer pulls a gun and shoots at Alex twice, missing both times before losing control of the quad. Alex then returns to Port Tallon but cannot relax, suspecting that Mr. Grin arranged the attack.
Chapter 11 Summary: “Dozmary Mine”
Alex goes to the library, remembering that Sayle mentioned that Ian went there. He learns from the librarian that Ian was interested in viruses, which makes Alex wonder if Sayle is planning to deploy a computer virus. The librarian then tells him that Ian also read a book on local history, and Alex realizes that the number on the paper from his bed canopy is a library call number. Alex discovers that the book is about Cornwall’s history. He finds the story of Dozmary Mine, one of the last in operation, which recently closed, leading to the owner’s suicide and his children’s sale of the mine to Sayle Enterprises. Alex then sees diagrams of the mine and realizes that Ian’s diagram is a map of a way into Block D through Dozmary Mine.
Alex takes the quad to the mine. He descends into the shaft and follows Ian’s map. Alex struggles with claustrophobia but moves forward. He finds part of the path submerged in water, causing him to panic. He finds a dry suit that Ian left but struggles to continue. He then realizes that he does not want Sayle and Yassen to get away with murdering his uncle. This pushes him forward. Facing his fears, he makes it to the other end. Realizing that he forgot his flashlight, he has no choice but to move forward, not knowing what is ahead.
Chapter 12 Summary: “Behind the Door”
Alex soon sees light and reaches dry land. He hears a throbbing noise and follows it to an assembly line, where he sees people making Stormbreakers with new compartments. They are filling these compartments with liquid from test tubes. Alex hears a voice on the loudspeaker telling the workers with blue armbands that they must be decontaminated and ordering Yassen to the “biocontainment zone” (169). Alex realizes that Sayle is putting biological viruses (rather than digital viruses) into the computers. Before he can leave, a security guard stops him. Alex tells him that he is with Sayle. The guard lowers his gun, and Alex uses a karate punch and a kick to knock him unconscious. Alex then tries to escape so he can tell MI6 about the virus. He triggers an alarm and has to run from guards, who fire at him. He hides from the guards until they leave. He then escapes the building and makes his way back to Sayle’s house to collect his gadgets. When he arrives, he encounters Mr. Grin, who knocks him unconscious.
Chapters 10-12 Analysis
In earlier chapters, Alex was overwhelmed by MI6’s demands and tempted to quit. In this section, however, he embraces his role as a spy when he realizes that uncovering the truth about Stormbreaker could help him bring Ian’s killer to justice. This thought gives him the strength to swim through the mine and reach Block D. His determination becomes even greater when he learns about the virus and realizes that it is up to him to stop Sayle from murdering thousands of children. This sequence reflects not only Alex’s bravery but also his integrity and strength of character in a dangerous environment. The chapters also re-establish his fondness for his uncle and his desire to avenge him.
Chapters 10-12 are part of the novel’s rising action and, therefore, highlight Perseverance in the Face of Difficulty. Sayle’s attempt to have Alex killed in the Cornish countryside forces Alex to think quickly. He uses his wits and quad-riding skills to escape with only minor injuries. His discovery that Ian’s diagram is a map sends him into the mine, where he confronts his claustrophobia and uncertainties about espionage. His knowledge that Ian made the same swim and that he might bring Ian’s murderers to justice gives him the fortitude to continue. The action becomes even more intense when Alex enters Block D and must hide from guards while gathering intelligence. The complexity of Alex’s descent into the mine and into the heart of Sayle Enterprises incorporates the exaggeration common in young adult adventure stories, with the teenage protagonist overcoming dangers that adults would find daunting. The absence of Alex’s gadgets in this section heightens the difficulty. Alex’s discovery of Sayle’s plan raises the stakes and makes him realize that he has limited time to stop him. As is common in young adult spy fiction, Alex’s attempt to alert his handlers about his discovery is thwarted, meaning that he will personally stop the villain.
Given the absence of Alex’s gadgets, The Interplay of Technology and Espionage is less present in this section than in others. Alex uses his athletic skills and wits, rather than technology, to investigate the Stormbreaker project. However, technology remains significant. Ian’s research makes Alex initially believe that Sayle might put computer viruses in the Stormbreakers. However, Alex discovers that the viruses are biological. The insertion of airborne viruses into computers is a nightmarishly advanced form of mass murder that fits the young adult spy fiction genre and reflects the ways organizations and people can use technology not only for great good but also for great harm.
This section foreshadows Sayle’s villainous intentions. Mr. Grin’s phone call before Alex’s outing in Chapter 10 foreshadow the attempt to kill him. He realizes that Sayle and his organization are dangerous, leading him to investigate further. His research at the library foreshadows the discovery of the virus by showing that Ian researched viruses and made a map leading to Block D.
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By Anthony Horowitz
