Character guide

Lord Peter Wimsey

major

Also known as Wimsey, Peter, Lord Peter, Peter Wimsey, little Peter, Suddenly Wimsey

Amateur detective investigating the suspicious death of General Fentiman at the Bellona Club.

Inspector Parker

major

Also known as Detective Inspector Parker, Parker, Mr. Parker

Scotland Yard detective and friend of Lord Peter, assisting in the Fentiman case.

Major Robert Fentiman

major

Also known as Robert Fentiman, Major Robert, Major Robert Fentiman, Fentiman, Major, old Fentiman, Robert

Grandson of the deceased general, a key suspect and beneficiary in the will.

Captain George Fentiman

major

Also known as George Fentiman, Captain George Fentiman, George, Captain George, Fentiman

Another grandson of the general, struggling with war trauma and financial troubles.

Dr. Penberthy

supporting

Also known as Penberthy, dear Dr. Penberthy, this precious Penberthy

The family doctor involved in the general's medical care and the subsequent investigation.

Ann Dorland

supporting

Also known as Miss Ann, Miss Ann Dorland, Miss Dorland, Ann, the Dorland, Dorland

A young woman connected to the Fentiman family, with a secret engagement.

General Fentiman

major

Also known as Fentiman, the gasping Fentiman, old Fentiman, old General Fentiman, the late General Fentiman, the General, the old General

The deceased general whose mysterious death at the Bellona Club sets the plot in motion.

Mr. Murbles

supporting

Also known as Dear Mr. Murbles, the unwilling Mr. Murbles, Murbles, Mr. J. Murbles

The family solicitor handling the Fentiman estate and will.

Mrs. George Fentiman

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Fentiman, George, George Fentiman

The wife of Captain George Fentiman, anxious about her husband's state and finances.

Bunter

supporting

Also known as the retreating Bunter, M. Bunter, old Bunter

Lord Peter's loyal and resourceful valet, assisting with investigations.

Mr. Pritchard

minor

Also known as Pritchard, That brute Pritchard, old Pritchard

A moneylender who holds debts against the Fentiman family.

Sheila Fentiman

minor

Also known as Sheila, Fentiman

The daughter of Major Robert Fentiman, a young girl caught in the family turmoil.

Miss Marjorie Phelps

minor

Also known as Miss Phelps, Marjorie, Marjorie Phelps

A friend of Ann Dorland and a sculptor, providing insights into the younger generation.

Salcombe Hardy

minor

Also known as Hardy, Salcombe, Salcombe Hardy of the Daily Yell, the Yell

A journalist from the Daily Yell who covers the Fentiman story.

Lady Dormer

minor

Also known as old Lady Dormer, Dormer

An elderly relative of the Fentimans, whose will affects the inheritance.

Mr. Oliver

minor

Also known as this Mr. Oliver, Oliver, the mysterious Mr. Oliver, the unknown Oliver, this Oliver

A mysterious figure who appears at the Bellona Club and is linked to the case.

Wetheridge

minor

A club member at the Bellona Club who provides information about the general.

Woodward

minor

Also known as The man Woodward

A club servant at the Bellona Club who witnessed the general's arrival.

Nurse Armstrong

minor

Also known as Nurse Armstrong's, Nurse

The nurse who attended General Fentiman before his death.

Mrs. Munns

minor

Also known as Blow Mrs. Munns, Munns

A landlady who provides lodging to one of the Fentimans.

Culyer

minor

Also known as Mr. Culyer, Captain Culyer

A fellow officer and friend of Captain George Fentiman.

Swain

minor

Also known as Mr. Swain

A club member at the Bellona Club who plays cards with the general.

Naomi Rushworth

minor

Also known as Naomi, dear Naomi

A young woman connected to the Fentiman family through marriage prospects.

Sir James Lubbock

minor

Also known as James, Sir James, Lubbock

A doctor and friend of the family who examines the general's body.

Dr. Horner

minor

Also known as Horner

A medical professional who provides an opinion on the cause of death.

Ambrose Ledbury

minor

Also known as Ledbury, the Ledbury

A club member at the Bellona Club, part of the general's social circle.

Felicity

minor

Also known as poor Felicity

A young woman mentioned in connection with the Fentiman family history.

Nellie

minor

A servant in the Fentiman household who provides information.

Waffles Newton

minor

Also known as Waffles, Newton

A club member at the Bellona Club, known for his gossip.

Mr. Munns

minor

Also known as Munns

The husband of Mrs. Munns, involved in the Fentiman financial affairs.

Mrs. Rushworth

minor

The mother of Naomi Rushworth, involved in social maneuvering.

Colonel Marchbanks

minor

Also known as young Marchbanks, old Marchbanks, Colonel

A club member at the Bellona Club and friend of the general.

Weston

minor

A club servant at the Bellona Club who assists with the investigation.

Dougal MacSteuart

minor

Also known as Dougal, MacStewart, The MacStewart

A Scottish lawyer who provides information about the Fentiman family history.

Young Arthur Fentiman

minor

A deceased relative of the Fentimans, whose death is relevant to the case.

Rogers

minor

Also known as Mrs. Rogers

A servant in the Fentiman household who provides testimony.

Mr. Collins

minor

Also known as Collins

A club member at the Bellona Club who provides information.

Fiennes

minor

A club member at the Bellona Club, part of the general's card game.

Sally Hardy

minor

Also known as Sally, Sally Hardy—never

The wife of Salcombe Hardy, briefly mentioned in the story.

Gatti

minor

A restaurant owner or manager where characters dine.

Komski

minor

A foreign acquaintance mentioned in connection with the case.

Colonel Frobisher

minor

Also known as Frobisher

A club member at the Bellona Club who provides information.

Babcock

minor

A club member at the Bellona Club, part of the general's circle.

Dear Walter

minor

Also known as Walter

A character mentioned in correspondence, possibly a relative.

Saunders

minor

Also known as Presently Saunders

A club servant at the Bellona Club who assists members.

Postlethwaite

minor

Also known as Mr. Postlethwaite, the innocent Mr. Postlethwaite

A club member at the Bellona Club, involved in the card game.

Mrs. Crickett

minor

A landlady or servant who provides information about the Fentimans.

Anstruther

minor

A club member at the Bellona Club, briefly mentioned.

Joe Munns

minor

Also known as Joe

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Munns, involved in the family's affairs.

Le Neve

minor

A character mentioned in connection with the Fentiman family history.

Tin-Tummy Challoner

minor

Also known as Challoner

A club member at the Bellona Club, known for his distinctive appearance.

Jimmy Rowe

minor

Also known as old Jimmy

A club member at the Bellona Club, part of the general's circle.

Briggs

minor

A club servant at the Bellona Club who provides information.

Billy

minor

Also known as William

A young servant or errand boy mentioned in the story.

Olga

minor

A foreign character briefly mentioned in the investigation.

Dykes

minor

A club member at the Bellona Club, briefly mentioned.