# Mrs. Endicott — Murder by the Clock character guide > Mrs. Endicott in Murder by the Clock by Rufus King. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Herbert Endicott, Herbert Endicott, Endicott **First appearance:** 0000-i-8-37-p-m-spring-3100 ## Snapshot 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. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Lieutenant Valcour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/lieutenant_valcour) _rivalry_ Valcour suspects Mrs. Endicott of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game of wits with her. ### [Thomas Hollander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/thomas_hollander) _family_ Mrs. Endicott is Thomas Hollander's wife, and their interactions are marked by coldness and hidden agendas. ### [Roberts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/roberts) _rivalry_ Mrs. Endicott tries to mislead and outmaneuver Roberts, who is actively investigating her. ### [Dr. Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/dr_worth) _professional_ Dr. Worth examines evidence related to Mrs. Endicott's actions and reports findings to the police. ### [Marge Myles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/marge_myles) _professional_ Marge Myles, a secretary or assistant, interacts with Mrs. Endicott in a work-related capacity, often under strain. ### [Madame Velasquez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/madame_velasquez) _rivalry_ Madame Velasquez and Mrs. Endicott are in a tense, competitive relationship, possibly over secrets or influence. ### [Miss Murrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/miss_murrow) _professional_ Miss Murrow, likely a companion or nurse, attends to Mrs. Endicott but is wary of her. ### [Lieutenant Valcour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/lieutenant_valcour) _rivalry_ Valcour suspects Mrs. Endicott of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game of wits with her. ### [Lieutenant Valcour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/lieutenant_valcour) _rivalry_ Valcour suspects Mrs. Endicott of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game of wits with her. ### [Dr. Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/dr_worth) _professional_ Dr. Worth examines evidence related to Mrs. Endicott's actions and reports findings to the police. ### [Thomas Hollander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/thomas_hollander) _family_ Mrs. Endicott is Thomas Hollander's wife, and their interactions are marked by coldness and hidden agendas. ### [Roberts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/roberts) _rivalry_ Mrs. Endicott tries to mislead and outmaneuver Roberts, who is actively investigating her. ## In the story ### [I: 8:37 p.m.—Spring 3100](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/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. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/mrs_endicott - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters