# Thomas Hollander — Murder by the Clock character guide > Thomas Hollander in Murder by the Clock by Rufus King. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Hollander, Tom, Hollander **First appearance:** 0000-i-8-37-p-m-spring-3100 ## Snapshot A smooth-voiced Southern friend of the dying man, summoned to his bedside — and carrying a stiletto no one asked him to bring. ## Who they are Hollander is the friend Lieutenant Valcour calls in to sit with the recovering Endicott, a man whose soft accent and easy manner make him seem like comfort itself. But in the sickroom his right hand moves with unnatural rigidity toward a spot above Endicott's heart, and the conversation turns from sympathy to threat in a whisper. He is the novel's most immediate danger — a visitor whose presence at the bedside transforms a locked-room mystery into something far more intimate and lethal. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Endicott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/mrs_endicott) _family_ Mrs. Endicott is Thomas Hollander's wife, and their interactions are marked by coldness and hidden agendas. ### [Lieutenant Valcour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/lieutenant_valcour) _professional_ Valcour interviews Thomas Hollander as a suspect and witness, probing his alibi and motives. ### [Roberts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/roberts) _professional_ Roberts questions Thomas Hollander as part of the police investigation, checking his story. ### [Dr. Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/dr_worth) _professional_ Dr. Worth provides medical or forensic testimony that implicates or clears Thomas Hollander. ### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/mr_smith) _professional_ Mr. Smith, as a lawyer, advises or represents Thomas Hollander in legal matters. ### [Lieutenant Valcour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/lieutenant_valcour) _professional_ Valcour interviews Thomas Hollander as a suspect and witness, probing his alibi and motives. ### [Mrs. Endicott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/mrs_endicott) _family_ Mrs. Endicott is Thomas Hollander's wife, and their interactions are marked by coldness and hidden agendas. ### [Lieutenant Valcour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/lieutenant_valcour) _professional_ Valcour interviews Thomas Hollander as a suspect and witness, probing his alibi and motives. ### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/mr_smith) _professional_ Mr. Smith, as a lawyer, advises or represents Thomas Hollander in legal matters. ### [Mrs. Endicott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/mrs_endicott) _family_ Mrs. Endicott is Thomas Hollander's wife, and their interactions are marked by coldness and hidden agendas. ### [Dr. Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/dr_worth) _professional_ Dr. Worth provides medical or forensic testimony that implicates or clears Thomas Hollander. ### [Roberts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/roberts) _professional_ Roberts questions Thomas Hollander as part of the police investigation, checking his story. ## In the story ### [IX: 11:55 p.m.—Queer Deeps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/ix-11-55-p-m-queer-deeps) Identified as Mr. Endicott's 'best' friend, living in a bachelor apartment on East Fifty-second Street; his address is obtained from Mrs. Endicott's memorandum book. ### [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) Called by Valcour and asked to sit with the unconscious Endicott; he agrees and is expected within the hour. ### [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 arrived at the Endicott residence, and Valcour reflects on his suspicious behavior. ### [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) Friend of Endicott, arrives to sit with him; his eyes glitter as he watches the patient. ### [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) Absent but central to the investigation; his relationship with Mrs. Endicott is discussed. ### [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) Sits quietly but with a glittering gaze, shows strain when Endicott stirs, and secretly draws a thin steel blade. ### [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) Attempts to murder Endicott with a stiletto but is shot by police officers. ### [XVII: 2:40 a.m.—The Angle of Death’s Path](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xvii-2-40-a-m-the-angle-of-death-s-path) Wounded and unconscious, he is the apparent attacker but is not the source of the fatal bullet. ### [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) Under arrest, questioned by Valcour, denies accusations, and reveals his love for Mrs. Endicott. ### [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) Mentioned by Roberts as someone who might explain why Mrs. Endicott would kill her husband. ### [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 wounded and taken to the hospital. ### [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 also having blonde shingled hair, fitting the forensic description, and as potentially being involved in similar jobs. ### [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) Valcour speculates that the sailor may have posed as Hollander to gain entry to the house. ### [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) Mentioned as recovering from his injuries; Mrs. Endicott admits to loving him as much as her husband. ### [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) Mentioned as the man Mrs. Endicott suspected and whom Valcour suggests she shot Endicott to protect. ### [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) Current husband of Mrs. Hollander, whose safety is the subject of her call to Valcour. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/thomas_hollander - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters