Character guide

John Markham

major

Also known as Markham, Mr. Markham

District Attorney and friend of Vance, central to the murder investigation.

Philo Vance

major

Also known as Mr. Philo Vance, Mr. Vance, Vance, Van

Aesthetic amateur sleuth who aids the police in solving the Benson murder.

Ernest Heath

supporting

Also known as Heath, Sergeant Heath, Sergeant Ernest Heath, Sergeant

Police sergeant working closely with Vance and Markham on the case.

Alvin Benson

major

Also known as Benson, Mr. Benson, Alvin, Al, good old Al, Mr. Alvin Benson

Murder victim; a wealthy stockbroker found dead in his home.

Major Anthony Benson

supporting

Also known as Major Benson, Anthony Benson, Major, the unspeakable Benson, The Major

Brother of Alvin Benson, a military man with a contentious relationship.

Captain Philip Leacock

supporting

Also known as Leacock, Captain Leacock, this Captain Leacock, a Captain Philip Leacock

A British captain and acquaintance of the Bensons, involved in the case.

Leander Pfyfe

supporting

Also known as Mr. Pfyfe, Pfyfe, Leander, the knightly Mr. Pfyfe

A friend of Alvin Benson with a theatrical and eccentric manner.

Muriel St. Clair

supporting

Also known as Miss St. Clair, St. Clair, Muriel, the delightful Miss St. Clair

A young woman romantically linked to Alvin Benson, a key suspect.

Colonel Bigsby Ostrander

minor

Also known as Colonel Ostrander, Bigsby Ostrander, the Colonel, The Colonel

A military acquaintance of the Bensons, present at the crime scene.

Anna Platz

minor

Also known as Mrs. Anna Platz, Mrs. Platz, Platz, this Mrs. Platz

Housekeeper for Alvin Benson, who discovers the body.

Miss Hoffman

minor

Also known as Hoffman

A stenographer or secretary connected to the Benson household.

Tracy

minor

Also known as Mr. Tracy

A witness or minor figure in the investigation.

Phelps

minor

A minor character involved in the case.

Captain Carl Hagedorn

minor

Also known as Captain Hagedorn, Hagedorn

A sea captain and acquaintance of the Bensons.

Andy

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or associate.

Dr. Doremus

minor

A doctor who examines the body or provides medical opinion.

Mr. Moriarty

minor

Also known as Moriarty

A minor character, possibly a lawyer or associate.

Paula Banning

minor

Also known as Mrs. Paula Banning, Mrs. Banning

A woman connected to Pfyfe and the Benson circle.

Francis Swacker

minor

Also known as Swacker

A reporter covering the murder case.

George Stitt

minor

Also known as George G. Stitt, Stitt, George, Mr. Stitt

A minor character, possibly a business associate.

Dinwiddie

minor

Also known as Assistant District Attorney Dinwiddie

An assistant district attorney working on the case.

Inspector O'Brien

minor

Also known as Chief Inspector O'Brien, Chief

A police inspector involved in the investigation.

Springer

minor

A minor character, possibly a police officer.

Currie

minor

Vance's valet or servant.

Ben Hanlon

minor

Also known as Ben, Mr. Ben Hanlon

A minor character, possibly a journalist or associate.

Snitkin

minor

Also known as Mr. Snitkin

A minor character, possibly a police officer.

William M. Moran

minor

Also known as Inspector William M. Moran, Inspector Moran, Moran

A police inspector involved in the case.

Burke

minor

A minor character, possibly a police officer.

Emery

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or witness.

Sullivan

minor

Also known as Chief Assistant District Attorney Sullivan, Assistant District Attorney Sullivan

An assistant district attorney involved in the case.

Mr. Mason

minor

Also known as Mason

A minor character, possibly a lawyer.

Vollard

minor

A minor character, possibly an art dealer or associate.

Haig

minor

A minor character, possibly a historical reference or name-drop.

Higginbotham

minor

A minor character, possibly a lawyer or associate.

Miss Hawthorn

minor

Also known as a Miss Hawthorn, the née-Hawthorn

A minor character, possibly a relative or acquaintance.