Character guide

Philo Vance

major

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

An amateur criminologist who assists the District Attorney in solving the Greene family murders.

John F.-X. Markham

major

Also known as Markham, Mr. Markham

The District Attorney of New York and Vance's close friend, overseeing the murder investigation.

Ada Greene

major

Also known as Ada, Miss Ada, little Ada

A young, timid member of the Greene family who becomes a suspect in the murders.

Sibella Greene

major

Also known as Sibella, Miss Sibella, Sib

A beautiful and manipulative Greene daughter, central to the family's dark secrets.

Ernest Heath

supporting

Also known as Sergeant Heath, Heath, Sergeant

A blunt and determined police sergeant working on the Greene case.

Chester Greene

supporting

Also known as Greene, Chester, Mr. Chester Greene, Mr. Greene

The eldest Greene son, a nervous and secretive man with financial troubles.

Rex Greene

supporting

Also known as Rex, Mr. Rex Greene, Poor Rex

The younger Greene son, a sickly and reclusive figure in the family mansion.

Doctor Von Blon

supporting

Also known as Von Blon, Doctor Von, Blon

The family physician who tends to the Greene household and provides medical insights.

Sproot

supporting

Also known as old Sproot, Mr. Sproot

The elderly butler of the Greene mansion, loyal and observant.

Mrs. Tobias Greene

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Greene, old Tobias Greene, Tobias Greene

The matriarch of the Greene family, a domineering and wealthy woman.

Julia Greene

supporting

Also known as Julia, Miss Julia Greene, Miss Greene

The first victim of the Greene family murders, found shot in her room.

Hemming

minor

Also known as the pious Hemming, The maid Hemming

A pious and nervous maid in the Greene household.

Doctor Doremus

minor

Also known as Doremus, Doctor Emanuel Doremus, Doc Doremus

A medical examiner who assists with the autopsies in the case.

Anthony P. Jerym

minor

Also known as Captain Dubois, Jerym, Captain Jerym

A police captain involved in the investigation.

William M. Moran

minor

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

A police inspector who works alongside Sergeant Heath.

Snitkin

minor

A police detective assisting in the Greene case.

Mrs. Mannheim

minor

Also known as Mannheim, Frau Mannheim, old Mannheim

The German housekeeper at the Greene mansion.

Doctor Drumm

minor

Also known as Drumm, Doc Drumm

A doctor who treats one of the Greene family members.

Chief Inspector O'Brien

minor

Also known as O'Brien, Inspector, Chief

The head of the police department overseeing the case.

Barton

minor

A police officer involved in the investigation.

Burke

minor

A police officer assisting in the case.

Swacker

minor

A police stenographer who records interviews.

Currie

minor

Also known as the astonished Currie

A servant in the Greene household.

Miss Craven

minor

A nurse who attends to the Greene family.

Gertrude Mannheim

minor

Also known as Gertrude

The daughter of the housekeeper Mrs. Mannheim.

Captain Carl Hagedorn

minor

Also known as Captain Hagedorn

A ship captain mentioned in connection with the case.

Old Buckway

minor

Also known as Buckway

An elderly man who provides information to the police.

Mrs. Riglander

minor

A neighbor of the Greene family.

Feathergill

minor

Also known as Mr. Feathergill

A lawyer involved in the Greene family's legal affairs.