# Peter Selamb — Downstream character guide > Peter Selamb in Downstream by Sigfrid Siwertz. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Peter, Peter the Boss, Peter the Watchdog, Master Peter **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i-the-cry ## Snapshot Called Peter the Boss and Peter the Watchdog, this failing schoolboy haunts the old billiard room, spying on the estate through his grandfather's battered telescope. ## Who they are Peter has just failed to be promoted and spends his summer holidays grinding at algebra in the dilapidated room once used by Old Hök to surveil the estate. He cannot concentrate, cannot look anything straight in the face, and steals out to hide in the lilac hedge and watch the bailiff hang lanterns for a crayfish party. His furtive watching is the book's central nervous habit: he is the heir who has inherited suspicion instead of authority, and everything he sees from the window will shape how the family's decline reaches him. ## In the story ### [I: The Cry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-i-the-cry) Peter, the eldest child, listens to Kristin's stories on the kitchen steps and is later locked in the dining room with Hedvig, terrified by the strange cry. ### [II: The Robber’s Stronghold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-robber-s-stronghold) Plays the hearse-horse, instigates the robber game, tricks Herman into giving him a marble after being bitten. ### [III: The Dance of the Crow Indians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-dance-of-the-crow-indians) Watches the game from the rainpipe, noting Brundin's hypocrisy. ### [Peter the Watchdog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-iv-peter-the-watchdog) Struggles with schoolwork, spies on Brundin, and broods over the estate's decay. ### [V: Fear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-v-fear) Hedvig's guardian, who gives her a watch and makes a speech; he caught her spying on Brundin earlier. ### [VII: Brundin's Downfall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-vii-brundin-s-downfall) Peter, now called 'Peter the Watchdog,' obsessively spies on Brundin, counts produce, and attempts to decipher Brundin's ledgers, driven by a greedy ambition to control Selambshof. ### [IX: Peter the Boss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-ix-peter-the-boss) Peter manipulates Hedvig, spies on her, and uses fear to ensure she cares for their father. He grows wealthy through cunning business deals and takes revenge on Brundin, becoming known as 'Peter the Boss'. ### [X: Laura's Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-x-laura-s-marriage) Discusses Laura's situation with Stellan, meets Laura in his office, values Herman's letters at 100,000, consults Lundbom about divorce, attends wedding in evening dress. ### [XI: The Spanish Saint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-xi-the-spanish-saint) Greets Percy at Selambshof; his gross figure startles Percy, and they have had no communication for years. ### [Peter Casts Out Majängen and Brings Home Ekbacken](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-xii-peter-casts-out-maj-ngen-and-brings-home-ekbacken) Manipulates Herman into debt via Thomson, feigns concern while plotting to acquire Ekbacken. ### [XIII: Tord's Exile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-tord-s-exile) Peter, the eldest and de facto head of the family, manipulates the siblings and proposes exiling Tord to Järnö to mitigate the scandal of Tord's marriage. ### [I: Laura Entertains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-i-laura-entertains) Negotiates with Stellan to buy Kolsnäs for 450,000 crowns, acting through Thomson. He is shrewd and cautious in business. ### [II: Peter the Boss in Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-peter-the-boss-in-love) Sits alone in his office, examines old books, and becomes infatuated with Frida Öberg. He courts her with gifts and letters, but also faces public backlash for his refusal to allow water pipes in Majängen. ### [III: The Angel of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-the-angel-of-death) Peter has aged and appears flabby and yellow. He meets Hedvig at Selambshof, showing a cold, familiar, and insolent demeanor. He listens to her concerns about Percy with a mix of sympathy and hidden amusement. ### [IV: The Cold Moment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-the-cold-moment) Confronts Stellan aggressively at the charity fête, demanding repayment of 75,000; described as furious, massive, and unkempt. ### [V: Waste](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-v-waste) Peter visits Järnö, flatters Tord, and avoids discussing money, secretly pleased by Tord's decline. ### [VI: The Great Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-the-great-dinner) Obsessed with money and land, walks through the suburb contemplating real estate, and discovers the well has been poisoned. ### [VII: Shadow Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-shadow-play) Peter is mentioned as Hedvig's brother, whose business methods Levy criticizes as old-fashioned. He is associated with Selambs Ltd. and its annual meeting. ### [IX: Peter's Tombstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-peter-s-tombstone) Peter the Boss dies, leaving a cunning will that ensures his posthumous control and sparks a family lawsuit. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters/peter - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/downstream_se/characters