# Barry Kirk — Behind That Curtain character guide > Barry Kirk in Behind That Curtain by Earl Derr Biggers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Kirk, young Barry Kirk, Mr. Kirk **First appearance:** 0001-behind-that-curtain ## Snapshot A wealthy young San Francisco heir whose office building becomes the stage for a murder, Kirk trades flippancy for genuine curiosity as the case unfolds. ## Who they are Kirk is a rich, charming young man-about-town whose hospitality draws the investigation into his own building and social circle. His breezy wit masks a real appetite for the puzzle, and his growing admiration for June Morrow complicates his carefree bachelor habits. As host to both Chan and the suspects, he becomes the social hinge connecting the detective's method to the tangled lives of the people under scrutiny. ## Relationships ### [Sergeant Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sergeant_charlie_chan) _friendship_ Barry Kirk and Charlie Chan share a close, respectful friendship, with Kirk often assisting Chan in investigations. ### [June Morrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/june_morrow) _romantic_ Barry Kirk and June Morrow are in a romantic relationship, with clear affection and mutual concern between them. ### [Sir Frederic Bruce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sir_frederic_bruce) _social_ Barry Kirk and Sir Frederic Bruce are acquaintances moving in the same social circles, with polite but not deeply personal interactions. ### [Captain Flannery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/captain_flannery) _professional_ Barry Kirk and Captain Flannery interact as civilian and police officer, with Kirk often assisting Flannery in the investigation. ### [Colonel John Beetham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/colonel_john_beetham) _social_ Barry Kirk and Colonel John Beetham are social acquaintances, moving in similar circles and sharing polite interactions. ### [Li Gung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/li_gung) _friendship_ Barry Kirk and Li Gung have a friendly, respectful relationship, with Kirk appreciating Li Gung's assistance and loyalty to Chan. ### [June Morrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/june_morrow) _romantic_ Barry Kirk and June Morrow are in a romantic relationship, with clear affection and mutual concern between them. ### [Sergeant Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sergeant_charlie_chan) _friendship_ Barry Kirk and Charlie Chan share a close, respectful friendship, with Kirk often assisting Chan in investigations. ### [Sir Frederic Bruce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sir_frederic_bruce) _social_ Barry Kirk and Sir Frederic Bruce are acquaintances moving in the same social circles, with polite but not deeply personal interactions. ### [June Morrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/june_morrow) _romantic_ Barry Kirk and June Morrow are in a romantic relationship, with clear affection and mutual concern between them. ### [Sergeant Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sergeant_charlie_chan) _friendship_ Barry Kirk and Charlie Chan share a close, respectful friendship, with Kirk often assisting Chan in investigations. ### [Li Gung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/li_gung) _friendship_ Barry Kirk and Li Gung have a friendly, respectful relationship, with Kirk appreciating Li Gung's assistance and loyalty to Chan. ## In the story ### [The Man from Scotland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/i-the-man-from-scotland) Wealthy young host who invites Rankin and Chan to join his pre-arranged luncheon at the St. Francis. ### [What Happened to Eve Durand?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/ii-what-happened-to-eve-durand) Organizes the luncheon and is surprised to discover that J. V. Morrow is actually June Morrow. ### [III: The Bungalow in the Sky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/iii-the-bungalow-in-the-sky) Hosts the dinner party at his bungalow; inspects the table and welcomes guests. ### [IV: The Reckoning of Heaven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/iv-the-reckoning-of-heaven) Discovers Sir Frederic's body, notes the open safe and the Cosmopolitan Club yearbook, and later finds a pearl from Gloria Garland's necklace. ### [The Voice in the Next Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/v-the-voice-in-the-next-room) Kirk joins Morrow in seeing Chan off and is flattered when Chan names his son after him. ### [The Guest Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/vi-the-guest-detective) Invites Chan to stay at the Kirk Building, hosts lunch, and shares his observations about Sir Frederic's interest in the building and Miss Lila Barr. ### [Muddy Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/vii-muddy-water) Provides a locked drawer for the paper. Calls Gloria Garland to invite her to the office. Offers to send a cablegram to Barry Chan. ### [Willie Li's Good Turn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/viii-willie-li-s-good-turn) Observes Chan's discovery of Beetham's books and discusses the case with Miss Morrow and his grandmother. ### [IX: The Port of Missing Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/ix-the-port-of-missing-women) Hosts Chan at breakfast; learns about Paradise's betrayal; attends the interview at the Globe office. ### [The Letter from London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/x-the-letter-from-london) Hosts the gathering and discusses the case with Miss Morrow. ### [The Muddy Water Clears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xi-the-muddy-water-clears) Hosts the bungalow; accompanies Miss Morrow on a Sunday outing; assists Chan by sending Paradise on an errand. ### [A Misty Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xii-a-misty-evening) Hosts Chan; invites him to lunch at the Cosmopolitan Club; discusses Beetham's expedition; prepares for the meeting with Major Durand. ### [Old Friends Meet Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xiii-old-friends-meet-again) Decides to keep Paradise in his service despite the revelations, though with reservations. ### [Dinner for Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xiv-dinner-for-two) Dines with June Morrow at Marchetti's; defends Colonel Beetham's character but acknowledges his hard nature. ### [The Discreet Mr. Cuttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xv-the-discreet-mr-cuttle) Breakfasts with Chan, mentions seeing Beetham with Mrs. Tupper-Brock, later drives Mrs. Tupper-Brock to June Morrow's office. ### [Long Life and Happiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xvi-long-life-and-happiness) Discovers his grandmother's role in recommending Grace Lane and arranges her interview with Miss Morrow. ### [XVII: The Woman from Peshawar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xvii-the-woman-from-peshawar) Answers the phone call from Miss Morrow and hands the phone to Chan; expresses interest in the investigation but is not invited to the interrogation. ### [XVIII: Flannery's Big Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xviii-flannery-s-big-scene) Accompanies Chan to the Cosmopolitan Club and discusses the case with June Morrow. ### [A Vigil in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xix-a-vigil-in-the-dark) Offers Grace Lane her old job back and joins Chan at the Cosmopolitan Club. ### [Hawaii Bound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xxii-hawaii-bound) Hosts the gathering, helps Duff, and sees Chan off at the pier, kissing June Morrow. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/barry_kirk - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters