Murder in the Gunroom · Character

Fred Dunmore

A Fleming friend and fellow collector whose synthetic cheerfulness and pointed questions about the investigation keep Rand's guard up.

supporting

Also known as Dunmore

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in Murder in the Gunroom, Fred Dunmore is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Husband of Nelda; insists on handling the sale and obtained a $10,000 offer from Arnold Rivers.

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See Fred Dunmore in I Book page

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Dunmore moves through the household with a bluff, backslapping manner, grateful to Rand for recovering the stolen pistols and quick to admit he'd objected when Gladys first brought the detective in. But his curiosity about whether Rand is investigating Lane's death, and his careful fencing when Rand turns the question back on him, suggest a man with something to protect. He's the kind of supporting figure who could be a loyal friend or a nervous accomplice, and Rand watches him closely for exactly that reason.

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

See Fred Dunmore in I

Character Web

20 connections

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

Relationship types

Rivalry
Professional
Other

Character groups

Primary suspects and investigators
Minor characters and family members
Protagonist

+15 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
Closing

This excerpt is the dramatic climax because it reveals the psychological peak of tension and imminent danger:…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Jeff Rand
rivalry · negative
Fred Dunmore, a shady gun dealer, is hostile and evasive with Jeff Rand, as Rand suspects… How this plays out →
Arnold Rivers
professional · negative
Anton Varcek
rivalry · negative
Jeff Rand
rivalry · negative
Fred Dunmore, a shady gun dealer, is hostile and evasive with Jeff Rand, as Rand suspects… How this plays out →
Jeff Rand
rivalry · negative
Fred Dunmore, a shady gun dealer, is hostile and evasive with Jeff Rand, as Rand suspects… How this plays out →
Anton Varcek
rivalry · negative
Anton Varcek
rivalry · negative
Arnold Rivers
professional · negative
Arnold Rivers
professional · negative

Jeff Rand
Fred Dunmore, a shady gun dealer, is hostile and evasive with Jeff Rand, as Rand suspects him of involvement in the murder.
Arnold Rivers
Arnold Rivers and Fred Dunmore have a tense business relationship, as Rivers distrusts Dunmore's shady gun trade practices.
Anton Varcek
Anton Varcek and Fred Dunmore are bitter rivals in the gun trade, each accusing the other of theft and underhanded dealings.
Jeff Rand
Fred Dunmore, a shady gun dealer, is hostile and evasive with Jeff Rand, as Rand suspects him of involvement in the murder.
Jeff Rand
Fred Dunmore, a shady gun dealer, is hostile and evasive with Jeff Rand, as Rand suspects him of involvement in the murder.
Anton Varcek
Anton Varcek and Fred Dunmore are bitter rivals in the gun trade, each accusing the other of theft and underhanded dealings.
Anton Varcek
Anton Varcek and Fred Dunmore are bitter rivals in the gun trade, each accusing the other of theft and underhanded dealings.
Arnold Rivers
Arnold Rivers and Fred Dunmore have a tense business relationship, as Rivers distrusts Dunmore's shady gun trade practices.
Arnold Rivers
Arnold Rivers and Fred Dunmore have a tense business relationship, as Rivers distrusts Dunmore's shady gun trade practices.

Relationship notes

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

See Fred Dunmore in I

In the story

Fred Dunmore appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Husband of Nelda; insists on handling the sale and obtained a $10,000 offer from Arnold Rivers.
III
Mentioned as the person to whom Rivers made his offer for the collection.
V
Mentioned as someone who thought he was handling the collection.
VIII
Defensive about his earlier $10,000 deal, embarrassed in front of the women, and later makes a private phone call.
XV
Anxiously questions Rand about the murder investigation and worries about the family's involvement.
Chapter XVI
Accused by Geraldine of being involved in Rivers's ten-thousand offer; remains silent.
XVII
Present at breakfast and later implicated by Varcek as a possible murderer.
XIX
Confronts Rand about the investigation, speculates about Varcek's guilt, and shows concern about the family's reputation.
The Trap Springs
Revealed as the murderer; dies in a shootout with Rand and Ritter.
XXI
Posthumously revealed to have signed a contract with Gresham to force the merger, and to have murdered Rivers.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Fred Dunmore unlock in the free preview.

See Fred Dunmore in I