# Bluepoint Vance — Continental Op Stories character guide

> Bluepoint Vance in Continental Op Stories by Dashiell Hammett.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bluepoint Vance, Facing Vance, Vance, Bluepoint

**First appearance:** 0004-bodies-piled-up

## Snapshot

Bluepoint Vance is a lazy-voiced, glittery-eyed gunman who taunts Red O'Leary about money in front of a crowded café and gets a fist for it.

## Who they are

Vance is a criminal with a taste for needling, and his drawled complaints about laundry bills are really a demand for money O'Leary refuses to pay. When O'Leary punches him across a table, Vance comes up cool and businesslike, sizing up the redhead like a logger picking a tree. His mob watches him, and his cool head in a brawl makes him the more dangerous man in the room.

## In the story

### [Zigzags of Treachery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/zigzags-of-treachery)

A dangerous adversary operating in the urban underworld.

### [Corkscrew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/corkscrew)

The local lawman who provides information about the murder.

### [The Big Knock-Over](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/the-big-knock-over)

New York gunman spotted at Larrouy's dive; accompanied by Red O'Leary, Nancy Regan, and Sylvia Yount.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as one of the individuals whose photo is in the agency files but with no open jobs definitely chalked against them.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/iii)

Identified as the main squeeze directing the robbery, but the Old Man doubts he planned it.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/iv)

The ape-built bodyguard who protects the boy and violently intervenes when two men threaten him.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/ix)

Confronts Red O'Leary, is punched, draws a gun.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/x)

Mentioned as a potential threat; the Op suspects Vance will block their escape route.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/xi)

Referenced as the leader of the opposing crew whose men are pursuing the group.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/xv)

Shot while trying to escape police custody; reveals Papadopoulos as the mastermind before dying.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/i)

Listed among Papadopoulos's lieutenants who were killed or betrayed.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/characters/bluepoint_vance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/characters