Murder by the Clock · Character

Mrs. Endicott

A woman of static perfection and cold candour who reports her husband's mistress to the police, then becomes the case's most confounding suspect.

major

Also known as Mrs. Herbert Endicott, Herbert Endicott, Endicott

First appearance: I: 8:37 p.m.—Spring 3100

As a major figure in Murder by the Clock, Mrs. Endicott is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Anxious and worried about her husband's safety, she calls the police and presents her fears to Lieutenant Valcour.

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Mrs. Endicott walks into the investigation already bruised, already lying about small things, and already certain her husband's Latin-eyed mistress is the sort who would kill. She speaks of Herbert with a mixture of contempt and love so tangled that Valcour cannot separate them. Her confession that she loved him — even when she wished to kill him — makes her the emotional centre of the early case, and the question of what she actually did in the attic that afternoon hangs over every interview.

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See Mrs. Endicott in I: 8:37 p.m.—Spring 3100

Character Web

16 connections

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

Relationship types

Rivalry
Family
Professional

Character groups

Investigation core witnesses
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Valcour’s admission of an “impalpable dread” marks the emotional peak, as the detective—hitherto anchored in l…

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Relationships

Lieutenant Valcour
rivalry · negative
Valcour suspects Mrs. How this plays out →
Thomas Hollander
family · negative
Roberts
rivalry · negative
Dr. Worth
professional · ambivalent
Marge Myles
professional · ambivalent
Madame Velasquez
rivalry · negative
Miss Murrow
professional · ambivalent
Lieutenant Valcour
rivalry · negative
Valcour suspects Mrs. How this plays out →
Lieutenant Valcour
rivalry · negative
Valcour suspects Mrs. How this plays out →
Dr. Worth
professional · ambivalent
Thomas Hollander
family · negative
Roberts
rivalry · negative

Lieutenant Valcour
Valcour suspects Mrs. Endicott of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game of wits with her.
Thomas Hollander
Mrs. Endicott is Thomas Hollander's wife, and their interactions are marked by coldness and hidden agendas.
Roberts
Mrs. Endicott tries to mislead and outmaneuver Roberts, who is actively investigating her.
Dr. Worth
Dr. Worth examines evidence related to Mrs. Endicott's actions and reports findings to the police.
Marge Myles
Marge Myles, a secretary or assistant, interacts with Mrs. Endicott in a work-related capacity, often under strain.
Madame Velasquez
Madame Velasquez and Mrs. Endicott are in a tense, competitive relationship, possibly over secrets or influence.
Miss Murrow
Miss Murrow, likely a companion or nurse, attends to Mrs. Endicott but is wary of her.
Lieutenant Valcour
Valcour suspects Mrs. Endicott of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game of wits with her.
Lieutenant Valcour
Valcour suspects Mrs. Endicott of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game of wits with her.
Dr. Worth
Dr. Worth examines evidence related to Mrs. Endicott's actions and reports findings to the police.
Thomas Hollander
Mrs. Endicott is Thomas Hollander's wife, and their interactions are marked by coldness and hidden agendas.
Roberts
Mrs. Endicott tries to mislead and outmaneuver Roberts, who is actively investigating her.

Relationship notes

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See Mrs. Endicott in I: 8:37 p.m.—Spring 3100

In the story

Mrs. Endicott appears across 37 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: 8:37 p.m.—Spring 3100
Anxious and worried about her husband's safety, she calls the police and presents her fears to Lieutenant Valcour.
I: 8:37 p.m.—Spring 3100
Mentioned as having left to visit Marge Myles; his room and belongings are examined.
II: 9:24 p.m.—Hallmarks of Murder
Appears emotionally detached, provides Dr. Worth's number, and is instructed to stay in the house.
II: 9:24 p.m.—Hallmarks of Murder
Found dead in the cupboard, with a missing top button on his overcoat.
III: 9:45 p.m.—Guards Are Stationed at the Doors
The deceased, found slumped in a cupboard; his death is the focus of the investigation.
IV: 10:02 p.m.—Pale Flares the Darkness
Reveals she often wished to kill her husband but never wanted him dead; admits to meeting him in the attic.
IV: 10:02 p.m.—Pale Flares the Darkness
Discussed at length; his habits, his lies about the Yale Club, and his heart condition are central to the conversation.
V: 10:17 p.m.—Living or Dead?
Provides a detailed account of the evening, revealing her strained marriage and her suspicions about Marge Myles. She is defiant and evasive when questioned about her own activities.
VI: 10:32 p.m.—Pictures in Dust
Lying on the bed, appearing dead but with a chance of being revived. His body was found in the cupboard.
VIII: 11:28 p.m.—Mrs. Endicott Screams
Screams and faints upon seeing her husband revived, is given a narcotic by Dr. Worth.
VIII: 11:28 p.m.—Mrs. Endicott Screams
Revived by Dr. Worth, but his condition is serious and he may not regain consciousness.
XI: 12:15 a.m.—To Watch by Night
Mentioned as being asleep under a narcotic given by Dr. Worth, unable to be present with her husband.
XI: 12:15 a.m.—To Watch by Night
Unconscious and in serious condition after a heart attack caused by a sudden shock.
XII: 12:30 a.m.—Madame Velasquez Stirs Up Muck
Mentioned as having failed to meet Marge, and later revealed to have been attacked.
XIII: 2:01 a.m.—Glittering Eyes
The unconscious patient, guarded by police and watched over by Hollander.
XIV: 2:01 a.m.—An Empty Sheath
Mentioned as having tea with Hollander and threatening to kill her husband or commit suicide.
XV: 2:13 a.m.—The Thin Steel Blade
The patient, showing signs of regaining consciousness, his eyelids twitching and eyes opening.
XVI: 2:13 a.m.—Time Versus Death
Weak and recovering, he confronts Hollander and insists he will tell the police the truth.
XVIII: 3:00 a.m.—Thin Haze of Dread
Dead, covered with a sheet on the bed, the victim of the crime.
XIX: 3:15 a.m.—The Properties of Horror
The victim, whose body lies covered on the bed; Valcour uncovers his face while waiting for Roberts.
XX: 3:24 a.m.—On Private Heights
Discussed as controlling and manipulative, with Roberts claiming she never drank the narcotic and left the room.
XX: 3:24 a.m.—On Private Heights
The deceased, described as a 'tame tiger' controlled by his wife, and a man who never recovered from being a soldier.
XXI: 3:51 a.m.—A Woman’s Slipper
Suspected of faking unconsciousness and possibly shooting her husband.
XXII: 4:14 a.m.—Tap—Tap—Tap
Reveals she is conscious by speaking when Valcour taps the slipper, confirming Roberts's theory.
XXIII: 4:29 a.m.—A Turn of the Screw
Denies shooting, claims she was straddling the window sill, and is arrested as a material witness.
XXIII: 4:29 a.m.—A Turn of the Screw
Mentioned as the murdered husband.
XXIV: 4:41 a.m.—As the Colours of Dawn
Valcour believes she is innocent, despite the evidence against her, and thinks of her as a woman of halftones.
XXV: 5:01 a.m.—Lunatic Vistas
Mentioned as having blonde shingled hair, matching the forensic report, and as having lied about seeing no one on the balcony.
XXVI: 5:25 a.m.—There Was a Sailor
His past actions toward a servant girl are discussed, revealing a pattern of brutality.
XXVI: 5:25 a.m.—There Was a Sailor
Mentioned as a witness who saw the servant girl get into Endicott's car.
XXVII: 5:46 a.m.—Mrs. Endicott Cannot Be Found
Cannot be found; her room is empty and no one has seen her.
XXVIII: 6:00 a.m.—Mist Drifting Through Mist
Attempts suicide but is saved; reveals her forgery scheme and her conflicted emotions about love and marriage.
XXVIII: 6:00 a.m.—Mist Drifting Through Mist
Deceased; Mrs. Endicott reflects on her love for him and the events leading to his death.
XXIX: 6:30 a.m.—As Is Mirage
Defiantly listens to Valcour's accusations, maintaining her innocence and refusing to alter her story about seeing no one on the balcony.
XXIX: 6:30 a.m.—As Is Mirage
The victim, whose death Valcour believes was caused by Marge Myles, either through a heart attack or a gunshot wound.
XXX: 7:11 a.m.—The Criminal and Weapon of the Crime
Arrested by Valcour and taken to the entrance hall in custody.
XXXI: 8:37 p.m.—Five Years Later
Now Mrs. Hollander, she calls Valcour to express worry about her husband Thomas, revealing her manipulative nature.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Endicott unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Endicott in I: 8:37 p.m.—Spring 3100