Leave It to Psmith · Character

Edward Cootes

A hard-faced American crook who came to Blandings impersonating a poet to steal a necklace, only to find a smoother impostor already installed in his place.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Cootes, Eddie, Ed, Eddie Cootes, Ed Cootes, Cootes, Comrade Cootes

First appearance: i dark plottings at blandings castle

As a supporting figure in Leave It to Psmith, Edward Cootes is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Arrives at Blandings posing as McTodd, is discovered by Psmith, and is sent away after confessing his plan to steal the necklace.

In the storyPsmith Engages a ValetOpen this moment free

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Cootes arrives at the castle expecting to play the visiting poet and instead gets smoothly demoted to Psmith's 'valet' — a humiliation he swallows because, as he puts it, once in, he's in. He is a professional, which makes him dangerous, but he's also outclassed by a man who lies for pleasure rather than profit. His partnership with Miss Peavey gives the plot its counterweight: two schemers trying to outmaneuver a third who is enjoying himself far too much.

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The fuller portrait of Edward Cootes sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Edward Cootes in i dark plottings at blandings castle

Character Web

25 connections

A slice of how Edward Cootes sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Blandings Castle residents
Minor and background characters

+20 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

In this chapter, Psmith’s acceptance of employment—ostensibly as a gardener—marks the emotional and psychologi…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Eve Halliday
rivalry · negative
Edward Cootes, a thief, antagonizes Eve by attempting to steal a necklace she is… How this plays out →
Psmith
rivalry · negative
Freddie Threepwood
rivalry · negative
Eve Halliday
rivalry · negative
Edward Cootes, a thief, antagonizes Eve by attempting to steal a necklace she is… How this plays out →
Psmith
rivalry · negative
Eve Halliday
rivalry · negative
Edward Cootes, a thief, antagonizes Eve by attempting to steal a necklace she is… How this plays out →
Freddie Threepwood
rivalry · negative
Freddie Threepwood
rivalry · negative
Psmith
rivalry · negative

Eve Halliday
Edward Cootes, a thief, antagonizes Eve by attempting to steal a necklace she is protecting.
Psmith
Cootes and Psmith are adversaries, with Psmith outwitting Cootes in the theft plot.
Freddie Threepwood
Cootes and Freddie are antagonists, as Cootes tries to frame Freddie for the necklace theft.
Eve Halliday
Edward Cootes, a thief, antagonizes Eve by attempting to steal a necklace she is protecting.
Psmith
Cootes and Psmith are adversaries, with Psmith outwitting Cootes in the theft plot.
Eve Halliday
Edward Cootes, a thief, antagonizes Eve by attempting to steal a necklace she is protecting.
Freddie Threepwood
Cootes and Freddie are antagonists, as Cootes tries to frame Freddie for the necklace theft.
Freddie Threepwood
Cootes and Freddie are antagonists, as Cootes tries to frame Freddie for the necklace theft.
Psmith
Cootes and Psmith are adversaries, with Psmith outwitting Cootes in the theft plot.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Edward Cootes in i dark plottings at blandings castle

In the story

Edward Cootes appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Psmith Engages a Valet
II
III
IV
V
VI
Sensational Occurrence at a Poetry Reading
I
+7 more

Psmith Engages a Valet
Arrives at Blandings posing as McTodd, is discovered by Psmith, and is sent away after confessing his plan to steal the necklace.
II
Cootes arrives at Blandings intending to impersonate McTodd and steal Lady Constance's necklace, but is exposed by Psmith and sent away.
III
Dejected after his failed attempt to infiltrate Blandings Castle; reflects on his past as a cardsharper and his lost partner Smooth Lizzie.
IV
Meets Peavey by chance; explains he lost his finger and can no longer work the boats; tried to impersonate Ralston McTodd but was turned away by the impostor with an eyeglass.
V
Cootes confronts Psmith, revealing he knows Psmith is not McTodd, and demands to be brought into the castle. He is introduced as Psmith's valet.
VI
Confronts Psmith, threatens to search his room, and reveals his discontent as a valet.
Sensational Occurrence at a Poetry Reading
Emerges from a yew tree; has become Psmith's valet; discusses the scheme with Miss Peavey.
I
Emerges from a yew tree; explains he has been working as Psmith's valet; agrees to cut the electric lights as part of the theft plan.
VI
Arrives late on the terrace, sprinting lustily.
I
The valet to the pseudo-McTodd, suspected by Miss Simmons of being a crook.
V
Implied to have hidden the necklace; Psmith suspects him of the theft.
More on the Flowerpot Theme
Hidden in a tree in the Yew Alley, conferring with Miss Peavey; she relays her deduction about the necklace's location.
Psmith Receives Guests
Enters with a pistol borrowed from Miss Peavey, threatens Psmith and Eve, and takes the necklace.
III
Appears at the cottage door at the end of the chapter, pointing a pistol.
IV
Brandishes a revolver and threatens Psmith and Eve, but is ultimately disarmed by Psmith after Freddie's fall through the ceiling.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Edward Cootes unlock in the free preview.

See Edward Cootes in i dark plottings at blandings castle

See Edward Cootes in Psmith Engages a Valet