A Strange Disappearance · Character

Mr. Gryce

The veteran detective who takes the Blake case with quiet authority, weighing a housekeeper's wild tale of whispered voices and a ladder against the plain facts.

major

Also known as Gryce

First appearance: I: A Novel Case

As a major figure in A Strange Disappearance, Mr. Gryce is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The senior detective at the station; he listens to Mrs.

In the storyI: A Novel CaseOpen this moment free

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In I: A Novel Case: The senior detective at the station; he listens to Mrs. Daniels and assigns Q to investigate the case. Later, in A Few Points: Detective leading the investigation, methodically examining the room…

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See Mr. Gryce in I: A Novel Case

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how Mr. Gryce sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Central Mystery Characters
Protagonist
Blake Household and Family

+11 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Luttra’s decisive, cunning action—sending her father and brothe…

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Relationships

The Girl
professional · ambivalent
Mr. Blake
professional · positive
Mrs. Daniels
professional · ambivalent
Fanny
professional · ambivalent
The Girl
professional · ambivalent
Mr. Blake
professional · positive
Mrs. Daniels
professional · ambivalent
Mr. Blake
professional · positive
Mrs. Daniels
professional · ambivalent
Fanny
professional · ambivalent
The Girl
professional · ambivalent

The Girl
Mr. Gryce, a detective, is investigating the girl, likely as a suspect or key witness in a disappearance case.
Mr. Blake
Mr. Blake and Mr. Gryce collaborate as client and detective, working together to solve the mystery.
Mrs. Daniels
Mr. Gryce interviews or interrogates Mrs. Daniels as part of his investigation into the girl's disappearance.
Fanny
Fanny is interviewed by Mr. Gryce as a potential witness or source of information about the girl.
The Girl
Mr. Gryce, a detective, is investigating the girl, likely as a suspect or key witness in a disappearance case.
Mr. Blake
Mr. Blake and Mr. Gryce collaborate as client and detective, working together to solve the mystery.
Mrs. Daniels
Mr. Gryce interviews or interrogates Mrs. Daniels as part of his investigation into the girl's disappearance.
Mr. Blake
Mr. Blake and Mr. Gryce collaborate as client and detective, working together to solve the mystery.
Mrs. Daniels
Mr. Gryce interviews or interrogates Mrs. Daniels as part of his investigation into the girl's disappearance.
Fanny
Fanny is interviewed by Mr. Gryce as a potential witness or source of information about the girl.
The Girl
Mr. Gryce, a detective, is investigating the girl, likely as a suspect or key witness in a disappearance case.

Relationship notes

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See Mr. Gryce in I: A Novel Case

In the story

Mr. Gryce appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: A Novel Case
The senior detective at the station; he listens to Mrs. Daniels and assigns Q to investigate the case.
A Few Points
Detective leading the investigation, methodically examining the room and questioning witnesses.
The Contents of a Bureau Drawer
Leads the investigation, discovers the hidden drawer, secretly examines Mr. Blake's room, and questions Mrs. Daniels about Emily's disappearance.
IV: Thompson's Story
Leads the investigation, deduces the mystery centers on Mr. Blake's household.
VI: A Bit of Calico
Mentioned in the narrator's thoughts; his expression still rankles the narrator.
IX: A Few Golden Hairs
Leads the investigation, reveals the description distributed to harbor police, and questions Fanny's reliability.
X: The Secret of Mr. Blake's Studio
Leads the investigation, confronts Mr. Blake with detailed evidence of the girl's disappearance and Mrs. Daniels' fear.
XI: Luttra
Present during Blake's confession; assures discretion regarding matters outside police duty.
XIV: Mrs. Daniels
Urges Mrs. Daniels to speak, and later confirms that the body in the river is not Mrs. Blake.
A Confab
Consults with the narrator about the Schoenmakers' whereabouts and proposes a strategy of searching near Mr. Blake's house.
XVI: The Mark of the Red Cross
Narrates his investigation and strategy to capture the Schoenmakers while disguised as an old man.
The Capture
Arranges the plan and hides in a room to assist in the capture.
Love and Duty
Oversees the arrest and interrogation of the father and son; coordinates with Mr. Blake and the narrator to suppress the Blakes' connection to the criminals.
Explanations
Observes from the window and arranges for the removal of the prisoners.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mr. Gryce in I: A Novel Case