Character guide

Lord Peter Wimsey

major

Also known as Othello Lord Peter Wimsey, Peter, Stapley, Wimsey, Peter Wimsey, Presently Lord Peter

Amateur detective investigating his brother's murder case.

Lady Mary Wimsey

major

Also known as Mary, Polly, poor old Mary, poor Lady Mary

Lord Peter's sister, engaged to the murdered man.

Mr. Parker

major

Also known as Parker, Splendid old Parker, old Parker, Charles Parker, Mr. Charles Parker

Scotland Yard detective and friend of Lord Peter.

Captain Denis Cathcart

major

Also known as Denis Cathcart, Cathcart, Denis, Captain Cathcart, the late Captain Cathcart

The murdered man, engaged to Lady Mary.

Bunter

supporting

Also known as Mr. Bunter

Lord Peter's loyal valet and assistant.

Sir Impey Biggs

supporting

Also known as Sir Impey, Biggs

Eminent barrister defending the Duke of Denver.

Gerald Wimsey

major

Also known as Mortimer Gerald Bredon Wimsey, Poor old Gerald, Gerald, old Gerald, old Jerry, Jerry, Presently Wimsey

Duke of Denver, Lord Peter's brother, accused of murder.

Duke of Denver

supporting

Also known as Duke of D., the Duke, The Duke

Title held by Gerald Wimsey, the accused.

Mrs. Grimethorpe

supporting

Also known as Grimethorpe, this Grimethorpe, no Mrs. Grimethorpe, A Mrs. Grimethorpe

Wife of a Yorkshire farmer, key witness.

Mr. Goyles

supporting

Also known as The Goyles, Goyles, poor Mr. Goyles, Donne Mr. Goyles, this Mr. Goyles

Socialist agitator and friend of Lady Mary.

Mr. Murbles

supporting

Also known as Old Mr. Murbles, Murbles, old Murbles, Tell Murbles

Family solicitor for the Wimseys.

Sir Wigmore Wrinching

supporting

Also known as Whereupon Sir Wigmore Wrinching, Sir Wigmore, the discomfited Sir Wigmore Wrinching

Prosecuting counsel at the trial.

Mr. Grimethorpe

supporting

Also known as Grider, Mr. Grimethorpe of Grider's Hole, Mr. Grimethorpe of Grider

Yorkshire farmer and husband of Mrs. Grimethorpe.

Ellen

minor

Also known as Miss Ellen

Maid at Riddlesdale Lodge.

Mademoiselle Simone Vonderaa

supporting

Also known as Mademoiselle Vonderaa, Simone, ma Simone, Simone Vonderaa

French woman with a past connection to Cathcart.

Mrs. Pettigrew-Robinson

minor

Also known as Mr. Pettigrew-Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Pettigrew-Robinson, Mr. Pettigrew, Robinson, Pettigrew-Robinson

Guest at Riddlesdale Lodge, gossipy neighbor.

Freddy Arbuthnot

supporting

Also known as the Hon. Freddy, the Hon. Freddy Arbuthnot, Freddy, The Hon. Freddy, old Freddy, the Hon, Freddy Arbuthnot, Arbuthnot

Friend of Lord Peter, a cheerful socialite.

Miss Lydia Cathcart

minor

Also known as Miss Cathcart, Cathcart, the Cathcart

Sister of the murdered Captain Cathcart.

Miss Tarrant

minor

Lady Mary's friend and companion.

James Fleming

minor

Also known as Fleming, Jem

Groom at Riddlesdale Lodge.

Dowager Duchess of Denver

supporting

Also known as the Duchess, old Denver, poor old Denver, Denver, the Dowager Duchess of Denver, Duchess, The Dowager Duchess, the Dowager

Mother of Lord Peter and Gerald.

Mr. Timothy Watchett

minor

Also known as Mr. Timothy Watchett of the Rose and Crown, In Mr. Watchett, Mr. Watchett, Crown, Tim Watchett, Timothy Watchett, the Crown

Innkeeper at the Rose and Crown.

Monsieur Cathcart

minor

Also known as Cathcart

Father of Captain Denis Cathcart.

George V

minor

Also known as George, George the Fifth

Reigning king, mentioned in legal context.

Mrs. Marchbanks

minor

Wife of Colonel Marchbanks, a guest at Riddlesdale.

Mademoiselle Adèle

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle, mademoiselle, Adèle

French maid to Simone Vonderaa.

Viscount St. George

minor

Also known as Duke of Denver, The Duke of Denver, Duke of Denver, Denver, the Duke of Denver

Title for the heir to the Duke of Denver.

Mr. Featherstone

minor

Local police constable involved in the case.

Colonel Marchbanks

minor

Also known as the Colonel, Colonel, Colonel Marchbanks, the Colonel wrestlin

Guest at Riddlesdale Lodge, a military man.

Helen

minor

Duchess of Denver, Gerald's wife.

Monsieur Briquet

minor

Also known as Briquet

French police officer assisting the investigation.

Tommy Freeborn

minor

Also known as old Tom Freeborn, Freeborn, Monsieur Thomas Freeborn

Friend of Cathcart from his Paris days.

Greg Smith

minor

Also known as Mr. Greg Smith, Mr. Smith

American tourist who saw something relevant.

Inspector Craikes

minor

Also known as Craikes

Police inspector from Scotland Yard.

Madame Leblanc

minor

Proprietress of a Parisian boarding house.

John Hardraw

minor

Also known as Hardraw, John

Local farmer near Riddlesdale.

Mrs. Hardraw

minor

Also known as Hardraw

Wife of John Hardraw.

Wilkes

minor

Servant at the Duke of Denver's house.

Mr. Sugg

minor

Also known as the horrified Sugg, Sugg

Local police inspector, initially in charge.

Old Thorpe

minor

Also known as Thorpe

Local gamekeeper.

Sir Andrew Mackenzie

minor

Also known as Sir Andrew

Scottish landowner and friend of the family.

Dear old Dowson

minor

Elderly butler at the Duke's residence.

Lord High Steward

minor

Also known as The Lord High Steward

Presiding officer at the trial of a peer.

Gerald Christian Wimsey

minor

Also known as Gerald, Jerry, Wimsey

Full name of the Duke of Denver.

Dr. Thorpe

minor

Also known as Thorpe

Local doctor who examined the body.

Mrs. Watson

minor

Also known as Watson

Housekeeper at Riddlesdale Lodge.

Dr. Lubbock

minor

Also known as Lubbock, Presently old Dr. Thorpe

Medical expert called for the defense.

Lord Attenbury

minor

Also known as Attenbury

Friend of the Wimsey family.

Mrs. G.

minor

Also known as G. says

Abbreviation for Mrs. Grimethorpe in notes.

Sherlock Holmes

minor

Also known as Holmes

Fictional detective referenced in conversation.

Miss Elizabeth

minor

Also known as Bet

Maid at the Duke's London house.

Mary Jane

minor

Also known as Mary

Servant girl at Riddlesdale Lodge.

Mr. Glibbery

minor

Local tradesman who provides information.

Bagot

minor

Footman at the Duke's residence.

Mr. Foulis

minor

Lawyer involved in the case.

Biggy

minor

Nickname for Sir Impey Biggs.

Monsieur Bourgois

minor

Also known as Bourgois

French banker who knew Cathcart.