# Dolores Kesselbach — 813 character guide

> Dolores Kesselbach in 813 by Maurice Leblanc.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Dolores, Kesselbach, Dolores de Malreich

**First appearance:** 0002-i-the-tragedy-at-the-palace-hotel

## Snapshot

The grieving widow in black, born Dolores de Malreich, whose four years of devoted marriage were a rehearsal for her husband's murder.

## Who they are

To Paris she is the pitiable Mrs. Kesselbach, prostrate on her sofa, too frail to be questioned; to her accomplices she is Letitia, the joy of Rudolf's life and the author of his death. She moves between the two selves with an actress's discipline, stabbing when discovery threatens and vanishing into her own mourning. Her obsession with Pierre Leduc and the lost throne of Veldenz drives the murders forward — and her brother Altenheim's shadow follows wherever she goes.

## Relationships

### [Arsène Lupin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/arsene_lupin)

_romantic_

Lupin is deeply in love with Dolores, and their interactions are marked by intense passion and emotional turmoil.

### [M. Lenormand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/m_lenormand)

_professional_

Dolores interacts with Lenormand as a detective involved in the case surrounding her husband's death.

### [Pierre Leduc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/pierre_leduc)

_social_

Dolores and Pierre Leduc have a social acquaintance, complicated by the larger conspiracy.

### [Baron Altenheim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/baron_altenheim)

_rivalry_

Baron Altenheim is hostile toward Dolores, viewing her as an obstacle or target in his schemes.

### [Louis de Malreich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/louis_de_malreich)

_psychological_

Louis de Malreich exerts a sinister, obsessive influence over Dolores, creating a victim-manipulator dynamic.

### [Arsène Lupin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/arsene_lupin)

_romantic_

Lupin is deeply in love with Dolores, and their interactions are marked by intense passion and emotional turmoil.

### [Arsène Lupin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/arsene_lupin)

_romantic_

Lupin is deeply in love with Dolores, and their interactions are marked by intense passion and emotional turmoil.

### [M. Lenormand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/m_lenormand)

_professional_

Dolores interacts with Lenormand as a detective involved in the case surrounding her husband's death.

### [Pierre Leduc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/pierre_leduc)

_social_

Dolores and Pierre Leduc have a social acquaintance, complicated by the larger conspiracy.

### [Pierre Leduc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/pierre_leduc)

_social_

Dolores and Pierre Leduc have a social acquaintance, complicated by the larger conspiracy.

## In the story

### [813](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/813)

Rudolf's wife, whose actions and secrets are central to the unfolding mystery.

### [II: The Blue-Edged Label](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/ii-the-blue-edged-label)

Dolores is grief-stricken and trembling; she asks to be taken to her husband.

### [Prince Sernine at Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/iv-prince-sernine-at-work)

Reported to be staying at the Retreat for Gentlewomen in Garches, weak and grieving, accompanied by her companion Gertrude and maid Suzanne.

### [VI: M. Lenormand Succumbs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/vi-m-lenormand-succumbs)

Visits Lenormand, provides information about Gertrude, and accompanies him to Garches.

### [Santé Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/ix-sant-palace)

Mentioned in Lupin's letter and in the whispered update from Doudeville; she is staying at the Bristol in Paris.

### [X: Lupin's Great Scheme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/x-lupin-s-great-scheme)

Mentioned as ill and staying at the Hôtel Bristol, where Geneviève visits her.

### [The Man in Black](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/xiv-the-man-in-black)

Terrified during the attack, clings to Lupin for protection.

### [XV: The Map of Europe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/xv-the-map-of-europe)

Loved by Pierre Leduc; Lupin's jealousy reveals her own conflicted feelings; she is both fascinated and repelled by Lupin's power and ambition.

### [Arsène Lupin’s Three Murders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/xvi-ars-ne-lupin-s-three-murders)

Revealed as the homicidal madwoman responsible for multiple murders; killed by Lupin in a struggle.

### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/chapters/epilogue)

Revealed posthumously as the forger of the letters and the real culprit; Lupin mentions her as an abominable monster.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters/dolores_kesselbach
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/813_se/characters