# The Benson Murder Case — Character guide

> Key figures in The Benson Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine.

- [John Markham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/john_markham.md): District Attorney and friend of Vance, central to the murder investigation.
- [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance.md): Aesthetic amateur sleuth who aids the police in solving the Benson murder.
- [Ernest Heath](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/ernest_heath.md): Police sergeant working closely with Vance and Markham on the case.
- [Alvin Benson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/alvin_benson.md): Murder victim; a wealthy stockbroker found dead in his home.
- [Major Anthony Benson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/major_anthony_benson.md): Brother of Alvin Benson, a military man with a contentious relationship.
- [Captain Philip Leacock](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/captain_philip_leacock.md): A British captain and acquaintance of the Bensons, involved in the case.
- [Leander Pfyfe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/leander_pfyfe.md): A friend of Alvin Benson with a theatrical and eccentric manner.
- [Muriel St. Clair](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/muriel_st_clair.md): A young woman romantically linked to Alvin Benson, a key suspect.
- [Colonel Bigsby Ostrander](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/colonel_bigsby_ostrander.md): A military acquaintance of the Bensons, present at the crime scene.
- [Anna Platz](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/anna_platz.md): Housekeeper for Alvin Benson, who discovers the body.
- [Miss Hoffman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/miss_hoffman.md): A stenographer or secretary connected to the Benson household.
- [Tracy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/tracy.md): A witness or minor figure in the investigation.
- [Captain Carl Hagedorn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/captain_carl_hagedorn.md): A sea captain and acquaintance of the Bensons.
- [Andy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/andy.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or associate.
- [Dr. Doremus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/dr_doremus.md): A doctor who examines the body or provides medical opinion.
- [Mr. Moriarty](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/mr_moriarty.md): A minor character, possibly a lawyer or associate.
- [Paula Banning](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/paula_banning.md): A woman connected to Pfyfe and the Benson circle.
- [George Stitt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/george_stitt.md): A minor character, possibly a business associate.
- [Dinwiddie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/dinwiddie.md): An assistant district attorney working on the case.
- [Inspector O'Brien](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/inspector_obrien.md): A police inspector involved in the investigation.
- [Springer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/springer.md): A minor character, possibly a police officer.
- [Ben Hanlon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/ben_hanlon.md): A minor character, possibly a journalist or associate.
- [Snitkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/snitkin.md): A minor character, possibly a police officer.
- [William M. Moran](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/william_moran.md): A police inspector involved in the case.
- [Burke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/burke.md): A minor character, possibly a police officer.
- [Emery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/emery.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or witness.
- [Sullivan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/sullivan.md): An assistant district attorney involved in the case.
- [Vollard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/vollard.md): A minor character, possibly an art dealer or associate.
- [Haig](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/haig.md): A minor character, possibly a historical reference or name-drop.
- [Higginbotham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/higginbotham.md): A minor character, possibly a lawyer or associate.
- [Miss Hawthorn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/miss_hawthorn.md): A minor character, possibly a relative or acquaintance.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters