Character guide

John F.-X. Markham

major

Also known as Mr. Markham, Markham

District attorney and key investigator in the Canary murder case.

Philo Vance

major

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

Aesthetic amateur sleuth who assists Markham with the murder investigation.

Ernest Heath

supporting

Also known as Sergeant Heath, Heath, Sergeant Ernest Heath

Pragmatic police sergeant working on the Canary murder case.

Charles Cleaver

supporting

Also known as Mr. Cleaver, Cleaver, Charlie Cleaver

Wealthy businessman and former lover of the murdered woman.

Margaret Odell

major

Also known as Odell, Miss Odell, Margaret

The murdered woman known as the Canary, a beautiful and manipulative singer.

Louis Mannix

supporting

Also known as Mannix, Mr. Louis Mannix, Mr. Mannix

Gambler and underworld figure connected to the victim.

Tony Skeel

supporting

Also known as Skeel, Mr. Skeel, Dude, Tony

Elegant confidence man and suspect in the murder.

Spotswoode

supporting

Also known as Mr. Spotswoode, Kenneth Spotswoode

Wealthy young man and former suitor of Margaret Odell.

Doctor Lindquist

supporting

Also known as Lindquist, Doctor Ambroise Lindquist, Ambroise

Medical examiner who provides forensic insights into the murder.

Alys La Fosse

minor

Also known as Miss Alys La Fosse, Alys, Miss La Fosse

Blonde actress and friend of the victim.

Pop Cleaver

minor

Also known as Pop, Cleaver

Father of Charles Cleaver, an elderly man with knowledge of the case.

William Elmer Jessup

minor

Also known as Jessup, Mr. Jessup

Suspicious chauffeur who becomes a person of interest.

Captain Dubois

minor

Also known as Dubois, Cap'n Dubois

Police captain involved in the investigation.

Spively

minor

Also known as Young Spively, Mr. Spively

Young man who provides information about the victim's past.

Swacker

minor

Police stenographer who records interviews.

Detective Bellamy

minor

Also known as Bellamy

Imperturbable detective assisting the investigation.

Snitkin

minor

Police detective working on the case.

Mr. Allen

minor

Also known as Allen, Doc Allen

Unexpected witness with knowledge of the murder night.

Margy

minor

Maid or servant in the victim's building.

Inspector Brenner

minor

Also known as Conrad Brenner, Deputy-Inspector Conrad Brenner

Police inspector who briefly participates in the case.

Abe Rubin

minor

Jewelry dealer who had dealings with the victim.

Potts

minor

Also known as Mr. Potts

Man who provides a crucial alibi for a suspect.

Judge Redfern

minor

Judge who issues legal warrants in the case.

Mrs. Anna Breedon

minor

Also known as Mrs. Breedon

Comatose woman whose apartment is connected to the crime.

Amos Feathergill

minor

Also known as Feathergill

Man who provides information about the victim's past.

Tracy

minor

Police officer who assists with surveillance.

Guilfoyle

minor

Police officer involved in the investigation.

Currie

minor

Vance's valet who assists with household matters.

Burke

minor

Police detective working on the case.

Inspector Moran

minor

Police inspector who appears briefly.

Doctor Doremus

minor

Physician who examines a witness.

Frisbee

minor

Also known as Miss Frisbee

Woman who provides testimony about the victim.

Amy Gibson

minor

Maid who discovers the body.

Benjamin Browne

minor

Also known as Mr. Benjamin Browne, Browne, Ben

Man who provides an alibi for a suspect.

Traffic Officer Phipps

minor

Also known as Phipps

Traffic officer who saw someone near the crime scene.

Miss Finckle

minor

Woman who provides information about the victim's jewelry.

Alvin Benson

minor

Also known as Benson

Man whose name appears in the victim's address book.

Emery

minor

Police officer who assists with the investigation.

Mallory

minor

Police officer who assists with the case.

Mrs. Elinor Quiggly

minor

Woman who provides a character reference.