The Murders in Praed Street · Chapter
III: The Inquest explained
The inquest on Mr.
What happens
The inquest on Mr. Tovey's murder fails to identify the killer. The murder weapon is examined, Wal Snyder gives confused testimony, and a constable describes the scene. Afterward, Mr. Copperdock escorts Mrs. Tovey and Ivy home for tea, where Mrs. Tovey discusses her plans to continue the business. Meanwhile, Ivy gently rebuffs Ted Copperdock's romantic advances, citing her grief and her father's wishes for her future.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Vengeance
The inquest fails to deliver justice, leaving the murder unsolved and the community frustrated. Mr. Copperdock's lingering suspicion of Wal Snyder reflects a desire for retribution.
Class and Respectability
Mrs. Tovey's pragmatic focus on business and Ivy's desire to honor her father's ambitions for her education highlight the pressures of maintaining respectability within the working class.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Samuel Copperdock
Attends the inquest, escorts Mrs. Tovey and Ivy home, and discusses the case with Mr. Ludgrove. He harbors suspicion about Wal Snyder and the Express Train gang.
- Ted Copperdock
Listens to his father's account of the inquest and hopes Mr. Ludgrove might offer a clue. Later, he privately presses Ivy Tovey about their relationship.
- Mr. Elmer Ludgrove
Meets Mr. Copperdock for a chat about the inquest. He mentions a weekend trip to Suffolk for plant hunting but offers no new insights into the murder.
- Ivy Tovey
Attends the inquest with her mother. Later, she gently refuses Ted's advances, explaining she needs time to grieve and honor her father's wishes.
- Mrs. Tovey
Attends the inquest and discusses her plans to keep the greengrocery business running with Mr. Copperdock. She remains pragmatic about the tragedy.
- Wal Snyder
Testifies at the inquest, describing a black-haired sailor he saw near the scene. His credibility is undermined by his criminal record and confused testimony.
Key passages
“But rack his brains as he would, Ted could not hit upon the faintest idea of how to set about looking for one.”
Ted struggled to think of any way to find a clue.
Ted's frustration at his inability to investigate the murder.
“It is really the most remarkable affair... I confess that I have puzzled over it more than once since last Monday morning.”
Mr. Ludgrove admits the murder has been on his mind since it happened.
Mr. Ludgrove's curiosity about the case.
“I shall keep on the business... ’Tisn’t as though I’d been left without a penny, in a manner of speaking.”
Mrs. Tovey plans to continue the greengrocery, as she has some savings.
Mrs. Tovey's practical response to her husband's death.
“I can’t forget how good Dad always was to me, and we just couldn’t do anything he wouldn’t have liked.”
Ivy feels she must honor her father's memory by not acting against his wishes.
Ivy's reason for delaying a romantic commitment to Ted.