Character guide

Lord Peter Wimsey

major

Also known as Wimsey, Peter, old Wimsey, Lord Peter, dear Lord Peter, the notorious Lord Peter Wimsey, VII Lord Peter Wimsey

Amateur detective investigating the murder of Philip Boyes to clear Harriet Vane.

Harriet Vane

major

Also known as Vane, Miss Vane

Mystery novelist on trial for poisoning her former lover Philip Boyes.

Miss Climpson

supporting

Also known as Miss Katharine Climpson, a Miss Climpson, Miss Kitty Climpson, Climpson, Kate

Elderly spinster and amateur sleuth assisting Lord Peter's investigation.

Mr. Norman Urquhart

supporting

Also known as Mr. Urquhart, Both Mr. Urquhart, Neither Mr. Urquhart, Now Mr. Urquhart, Urquhart, this fellow Urquhart, one Mr. Norman Urquhart

Philip Boyes' uncle and a suspect in the poisoning case.

Miss Murchison

supporting

Also known as XIII Miss Murchison, Murchison

Secretary working for Lord Peter, involved in undercover investigation.

Philip Boyes

supporting

Also known as Boyes, Philip, Mr. Boyes, this Mr. Boyes, this fellow Boyes, this unsavoury blighter Boyes, Mr. ¬ÝPhilip Boyes, the said Philip Boyes

Harriet Vane's former lover, found poisoned; the victim at the center of the trial.

Bunter

supporting

Also known as Mr. Bunter

Lord Peter's loyal and resourceful valet.

Miss Booth

minor

Also known as Booth

Witness and acquaintance connected to the Boyes case.

Chief Inspector Parker

supporting

Also known as Mr. Bleeding Chief Inspector Parker, Parker, Mr. Parker, old Parker, Charles, Charles Parker, Chief Detective Inspector Parker

Police detective and friend of Lord Peter, working the Boyes case.

Lady Mary Wimsey

minor

Also known as Christmas, Wimsey, Lady Mary Wimsey who had arrived late on Christmas Eve, Mary, Polly

Lord Peter's sister, who arrives for the Christmas holiday.

Mrs. Wrayburn

minor

Also known as This Wrayburn, Mrs. Wrayburn of Windle, Wrayburn, Windle, dear Mrs. Wrayburn

A woman involved in the spiritualist circles connected to the case.

Gerald de Wimsey

minor

Also known as Gerald, Wimsey

Lord Peter's elder brother, the Duke of Denver.

Mr. Pond

minor

A solicitor or legal figure involved in the case.

Hannah Westlock

minor

Also known as Hannah

A young woman connected to the spiritualist circle.

Mrs. Pettican

minor

A witness or acquaintance in the investigation.

Mr. Bill Rumm

minor

Also known as Bill

A man with knowledge of the poison used in the murder.

Freddy Arbuthnot

minor

Also known as the Hon . Freddy, The Hon . Freddy, Freddy, the industrious Freddy Arbuthnot, the Hon . Freddy Arbuthnot, Fred

A friend of Lord Peter's, often involved in social matters.

Mr. Ryland Vaughan

minor

Also known as Mr. Vaughan, Now Mr. Vaughan, Vaughan, the man Vaughan, Ryland Vaughan, Ryland

A poet and acquaintance of Philip Boyes.

Sir Impey Biggs

minor

Also known as Sir Impey

Harriet Vane's defense barrister at her trial.

Miss Marjorie Phelps

minor

Also known as Marjorie, Marjorie Phelps

A friend of Harriet Vane's from the literary world.

Pongo

minor

A nickname for a minor character, possibly a friend of Lord Peter.

Henry Brown

minor

Also known as Harry, “ Harry

A witness or minor figure in the investigation.

Sylvia Marriott

minor

Also known as Sylvia

A friend or acquaintance of Harriet Vane.

Mrs. Hodges

minor

A landlady or housekeeper providing information.

Mrs. Pegler

minor

A witness in the case.

Eiluned Price

minor

Also known as Eiluned

A young woman involved in the spiritualist circle.

Mrs. Craig

minor

Also known as this Mrs. Craig

A woman connected to the spiritualist meetings.

Mr. Crofts

minor

Also known as Crofts, beast Crofts, XVI Mr. Crofts, Get Mr. Crofts

A chemist or pharmacist involved in the poison inquiry.

Nurse Williams

minor

A nurse attending to a character during the story.

Waffles Newton

minor

Also known as Waffles, Newton

A minor acquaintance from Lord Peter's social circle.

Salcombe Hardy

minor

A journalist covering the trial.

Captain Tommy Bates

minor

Also known as Captain Bates, Tommy, Tom

A military acquaintance of Lord Peter.

Duchess Helen

minor

Also known as The Duchess, The Duchess Helen, Helen

Lord Peter's mother, the Dowager Duchess of Denver.

Mabel Herridge

minor

Also known as Mabel, darling Mabel

A friend or acquaintance of a character.

Miss Tweall

minor

A witness or minor figure in the investigation.

Mrs. Featherstone

minor

A woman involved in the spiritualist circle.

Mrs. Rumm

minor

Also known as Rumm

Bill Rumm's wife, involved in the poison inquiry.

Dr. Weare

minor

A doctor who provides medical evidence.

Mrs. Dimsworthy

minor

Also known as Mrs. “ Freak ” Dimsworthy

A woman involved in the spiritualist circle.

Sir James Lubbock

minor

Also known as Sir James

A legal figure or judge in the case.

Mr. Challoner

minor

Also known as Challoner

A minor character connected to the investigation.

Mr. Harringay

minor

Also known as Harringay

A witness or acquaintance in the case.

Ellen Pate

minor

Also known as Pate, Ellen

A servant or witness in the investigation.

Miss Etheredge

minor

A minor character in the spiritualist circle.

Cuthbert Logan

minor

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.

Madame Kropotky

minor

A spiritualist medium consulted in the case.

Alice Gibbons

minor

Also known as Alice

A servant or witness in the investigation.