# M. Lenormand — 813 character guide

> M. Lenormand in 813 by Maurice Leblanc.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** M. Gourel, Gourel, Lenormand

**First appearance:** 0002-i-the-tragedy-at-the-palace-hotel

## Snapshot

The Sûreté's sharpest mind, sidelined by office politics and a rival's ambition, hunts Lupin while his own superiors quietly dismantle his authority.

## Who they are

Lenormand is the one policeman Lupin genuinely respects, which is precisely why the prefect and the deputy-chief Weber are content to see him fail. Struck down by illness at the moment the Kesselbach case demands him most, he watches from the margins as the investigation frays into disorder. His feud with Weber and his uneasy intimacy with Lupin's methods make him the story's second intelligence — and its most precarious career.

## Relationships

### [Arsène Lupin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/arsene_lupin)

_rivalry_

Lupin and the detective Lenormand are locked in a cat-and-mouse chase, with mutual respect but clear antagonism.

### [Dolores Kesselbach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/dolores_kesselbach)

_professional_

Dolores interacts with Lenormand as a detective involved in the case surrounding her husband's death.

### [Valenglay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/valenglay)

_professional_

Lenormand and Valenglay are colleagues in law enforcement or government, cooperating on the case.

### [Steinweg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/steinweg)

_rivalry_

Lenormand and Steinweg are opponents in an international intrigue, each representing different authorities.

### [Arsène Lupin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/arsene_lupin)

_rivalry_

Lupin and the detective Lenormand are locked in a cat-and-mouse chase, with mutual respect but clear antagonism.

### [Arsène Lupin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/arsene_lupin)

_rivalry_

Lupin and the detective Lenormand are locked in a cat-and-mouse chase, with mutual respect but clear antagonism.

### [Steinweg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/steinweg)

_rivalry_

Lenormand and Steinweg are opponents in an international intrigue, each representing different authorities.

### [Dolores Kesselbach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/dolores_kesselbach)

_professional_

Dolores interacts with Lenormand as a detective involved in the case surrounding her husband's death.

## In the story

### [813](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/813)

The identity assumed by Lupin, used to direct the investigation and maintain control over the situation.

### [II: The Blue-Edged Label](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/ii-the-blue-edged-label)

Lenormand arrives and takes command of the investigation, examining the scene and the evidence.

### [III: M. Lenormand Opens His Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/iii-m-lenormand-opens-his-campaign)

Chief detective presenting his case to the Prime Minister; reconstructs the crime and reluctantly agrees to an immediate arrest.

### [V: M. Lenormand at Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/v-m-lenormand-at-work)

Chief of the detective-service; meets with Prime Minister Valenglay and reveals his strategy; goes to Saint-Cloud to oversee the surveillance of Pierre Leduc.

### [VI: M. Lenormand Succumbs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/vi-m-lenormand-succumbs)

Leads the investigation, deduces Gertrude's involvement, and discovers the secret passage.

### [VIII: The Olive-Green Frock-Coat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/viii-the-olive-green-frock-coat)

Identified as Lupin's disguise; his olive-green frock-coat is found in a cupboard.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/endnotes)

Mentioned in the context of his departure from the detective service and subsequent prison escapes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/m_lenormand
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters