# Mrs. Clemmens — Hand and Ring character guide

> Mrs. Clemmens in Hand and Ring by Anna Katharine Green.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Widow Clemmens, Clemmens, Mary Ann Clemmens

**First appearance:** 0001-i-a-startling-coincidence

## Snapshot

The widowed woman struck down in her own dining room, whose dying exclamations — a name half-heard, a ring on the floor — become the puzzle every detective in the book must solve.

## Who they are

Mary Ann Clemmens is the still center of the storm: a widow found bleeding and insensible at the foot of her dining-room clock, her last words a jumble that might name her killer or might name no one at all. The ring discovered on her floor within minutes of the assault is the detail that breaks Mr. Gryce's theory wide open, and her exclamations — if they can be trusted — point toward a hand that should not have worn it. She never speaks in her own defense, yet every thread of the investigation runs back through her dining room and the question of what she saw in the instant before the blow.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd)

_friendship_

Mr. Byrd and Mrs. Clemmens share a friendly bond, possibly as confidants or neighbors.

### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare)

_friendship_

Imogene and Mrs. Clemmens are close friends, with Mrs. Clemmens acting as a maternal figure or confidante.

### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_gryce)

_professional_

Mr. Gryce and Mrs. Clemmens interact professionally, possibly as detective and witness or informant.

### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_orcutt)

_social_

Mr. Orcutt and Mrs. Clemmens are acquaintances, possibly through social circles or community events.

### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd)

_friendship_

Mr. Byrd and Mrs. Clemmens share a friendly bond, possibly as confidants or neighbors.

### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_gryce)

_professional_

Mr. Gryce and Mrs. Clemmens interact professionally, possibly as detective and witness or informant.

### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare)

_friendship_

Imogene and Mrs. Clemmens are close friends, with Mrs. Clemmens acting as a maternal figure or confidante.

### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_orcutt)

_social_

Mr. Orcutt and Mrs. Clemmens are acquaintances, possibly through social circles or community events.

### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_gryce)

_professional_

Mr. Gryce and Mrs. Clemmens interact professionally, possibly as detective and witness or informant.

### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare)

_friendship_

Imogene and Mrs. Clemmens are close friends, with Mrs. Clemmens acting as a maternal figure or confidante.

## In the story

### [Book I: The Gentleman from Toledo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/book-i-the-gentleman-from-toledo)

The victim, found brutally attacked near her home.

### [I: A Startling Coincidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/i-a-startling-coincidence)

The widow found attacked in her home; she is alive but severely injured.

### [II: An Appeal to Heaven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/ii-an-appeal-to-heaven)

Lies dying from her injuries, her final words and curse creating a powerful and ominous atmosphere.

### [IV: Imogene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/iv-imogene)

Though deceased, her murder is the central event that has unsettled Imogene and prompted Orcutt's suspicions. Her name is mentioned as someone Imogene has heard of in the house.

### [V: Horace Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/v-horace-byrd)

The victim of the attack. Ferris describes her as a methodical recluse with no known intimates, though she had a nephew and some savings.

### [VII: Miss Firman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/vii-miss-firman)

Her unfinished letter is read, expressing fears of death and referencing Gouverneur Hildreth.

### [VIII: The Thickset Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/viii-the-thickset-man)

Her written accusation against Gouverneur Hildreth is read aloud, implicating him in her potential death.

### [IX: Close Calculations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/ix-close-calculations)

Her final interaction with Mr. Hildreth is recounted in detail during the inquest, revealing her spirited nature and her confrontation with him.

### [XLII: Consultations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xlii-consultations)

Her relationship with Orcutt and the secret she may have held over him are key topics.

### [XLIII: Mrs. Firman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xliii-mrs-firman)

Mentioned as the murder victim; her possible secret marriage to Mr. Orcutt is the focus of the investigation.

### [The Widow Clemmens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xliv-the-widow-clemmens)

Her journal letters reveal her secret marriage and her fears of being abandoned.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mrs_clemmens
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters