# Mrs. Chauncey S. Root — Inspector French’s Greatest Case character guide

> Mrs. Chauncey S. Root in Inspector French’s Greatest Case by Freeman Wills Crofts.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Root, Chauncey S. Root

**First appearance:** 0008-ix-mrs-root-of-pittsburg

## Snapshot

An American traveller whose name appears on hotel registers in two different hands, forcing French to wonder which Mrs. Root is the real one.

## Who they are

Mrs. Root of Pittsburg, U.S.A., is tracked across Europe by French, who finds her signature at the Savoy and again at a Swiss hotel, written in a different hand. She answers the descriptions given by American detectives and by Mr. Williams, yet something about her remains vague and unsatisfactory. Her movements and her photographs become the thread French pulls to unravel the identity of the elusive Mrs. X.

## In the story

### [Mrs. Root of Pittsburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/ix-mrs-root-of-pittsburg)

An American woman claiming to be from Pittsburg, she borrowed money using diamonds as security, then disappeared after withdrawing the funds.

### [X: Some Pairs of Blankets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/x-some-pairs-of-blankets)

The American woman whose identity is being impersonated; her signature and hotel stay are verified.

### [XI: A Deal in Jewellery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/xi-a-deal-in-jewellery)

The American lady from Pittsburg, staying at the Bellegarde in Mürren, whom French finally meets to interview.

### [XII: The Elusive Mrs. X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/xii-the-elusive-mrs-x)

The American woman whose identity is being impersonated; her photographs and passenger list are used to identify fellow travelers.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/characters/mrs_chauncey_s_root
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/characters