Character guide

Anthony Gethryn

major

Also known as Anthony Ruthven Gethryn, Mr. Anthony Gethryn, Gethryn

A brilliant amateur detective investigating the murder of Sir Arthur Digby-Coates.

Sir Arthur Digby-Coates

major

Also known as Sir Arthur, Arthur Digby, Digby-Coates

A Cabinet Minister whose assassination sets the plot in motion.

Mr. Deacon

supporting

Also known as Archie, Archibald Deacon, A. B. T. Deacon

A quirky young man with a passion for horticulture and a connection to the case.

Lucia Lemesurier

supporting

Also known as Lucia, Madonna Lucia

A beautiful and enigmatic woman involved with the Gethryn family.

Colonel Gethryn

supporting

Also known as Superintendent Boyd, Boyd, Old Bloodhound Boyd

A Scotland Yard detective who initially clashes with Anthony Gethryn.

Miss Margaret Warren

supporting

Also known as Margaret Warren, Margaret, The efficient Miss Margaret Warren

Anthony Gethryn's capable and loyal secretary.

Mr. Hastings

supporting

Also known as Hastings

A friend and colleague of Anthony Gethryn who assists in the investigation.

Spencer Hastings

supporting

Also known as Spencer Sutherland Hastings, Spencer

A young man with a connection to the victim and a possible suspect.

John Hoode

supporting

Also known as John Howard Beauleigh Hoode, Hoode

A friend of the victim and a key figure in the mystery.

Miss Dora Masterson

supporting

Also known as Dora, Dot, Miss Masterson

A young woman who becomes a person of interest in the case.

Miss Laura Hoode

supporting

Also known as Laura Hoode, Laura, Miss Hoode

John Hoode's sister, a spirited and outspoken young woman.

Jimmy Masterson

supporting

Also known as Jim, James Masterson, Jimmie

Dora Masterson's brother, a young man with a temper.

Mr. John Hoode

minor

Also known as old John, poor old John, the late Mr. Hoode

The elderly father of John and Laura Hoode.

Old Mr. Poole

minor

Also known as Poole, Mr. Poole, the aged Mr. Poole

The elderly and somewhat senile father of the Hoode family butler.

Mr. Belford

minor

Also known as Belford, Robert Belford

A solicitor involved in the affairs of the Hoode family.

Mr. Lucas

minor

Also known as Mr. Egbert Lucas

A friend of the Hoode family who is present at the house party.

Mr. Gethryn

minor

Also known as Dear Mr. Gethryn

Anthony Gethryn's father, a retired clergyman.

Cock Robin Hoode

minor

Also known as Robin Hoode, poor Cock Robin

A deceased member of the Hoode family, whose death is referenced.

Mrs. Roland Mainwaring

minor

Also known as Mrs. Mainwaring, the flirtatious Mrs. Mainwaring

A flirtatious society woman who knew the victim.

Mr. Josiah Syme

minor

Also known as Mr. Syme

A local businessman with a connection to the case.

Father Gethryn

minor

Anthony Gethryn's brother, a Catholic priest.

Mrs. Lemesurier

minor

Lucia Lemesurier's mother.

Elsie Syme

minor

Also known as Elsie Duboise

A young woman who works for the Syme household.

Mr. Pellett

minor

A local tradesman who provides information to the police.

Tom Diggle

minor

Also known as Thomas Diggle, Diggle

A gardener at the Hoode estate.

Mabel Smith

minor

A maid in the Hoode household.

Madam Vander

minor

A mysterious woman who appears at the inquest.

Marshall

minor

Also known as Edward Marshall, the great Marshall

A famous actor mentioned in connection with the case.

Loo

minor

A nickname for a character, possibly a servant.

Jasper Standish

minor

Also known as Jasper

A friend of the Hoode family.

Marling

minor

A character mentioned in passing, possibly a servant.

Sergeant Higgins

minor

A police sergeant assisting Superintendent Boyd.

Annie Holt

minor

A maid at the Digby-Coates household.

Mr. Easy

minor

A character mentioned in a humorous context.

Alfred Poole

minor

Also known as the butler Poole

The butler at the Hoode estate.

Miss Halford

minor

A friend of the Hoode family.

Uncle Charles

minor

A relative of the Hoode family mentioned in conversation.

Martha Forrest

minor

A servant in the Hoode household.

Jack Lemesurier

minor

Also known as Jack

Lucia Lemesurier's brother.

Lily Ingram

minor

A young woman who was a friend of the victim.

Harry Wright

minor

Also known as Wright

A journalist covering the murder case.

Williams

minor

Also known as Mr. Williams

A police constable.

Bob Belford

minor

A relative of Mr. Belford the solicitor.

Mr. Lemesurier

minor

Lucia Lemesurier's father.

Vanda

minor

Also known as the Vanda

An orchid, a prized possession of Mr. Deacon.

Bealby

minor

A character mentioned in passing.

Mr. Diggle

minor

Also known as the horticultural Mr. Diggle

A horticultural expert consulted in the case.

Sir Richard

minor

Also known as Richard

A character mentioned in a letter.

Mr. Cocker

minor

Also known as Cocker

A local gunsmith.

Miss Monteith

minor

Also known as Miss Adeline Rose Monteith

A woman who writes a letter to the police.

Pooley

minor

A character mentioned in the context of the inquest.