# Humphrey Goode — Murder in the Gunroom character guide

> Humphrey Goode in Murder in the Gunroom by H. Beam Piper.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Goode, Humphrey

**First appearance:** 0002-i

## Snapshot

The Fleming family lawyer whose name becomes a handy whipping-boy whenever the household needs someone to blame for its simmering feuds.

## Who they are

Goode moves through Rosemont as the trusted legal advisor to a dead man's estate, handling the Fleming collection's tangled affairs while the family circles its value. He is pompous and self-important enough that Rand can defuse a dinner-table battle simply by insulting him, and everyone gratefully joins in. That easy unpopularity makes him a useful barometer of the household's real loyalties, and a reminder that the money at stake has already turned relatives into rivals.

## Relationships

### [Jeff Rand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters/jeff_rand)

_rivalry_

Humphrey Goode, a fellow gun expert, clashes with Jeff Rand over the investigation and their competing knowledge of firearms.

### [Jeff Rand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters/jeff_rand)

_rivalry_

Humphrey Goode, a fellow gun expert, clashes with Jeff Rand over the investigation and their competing knowledge of firearms.

### [Jeff Rand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters/jeff_rand)

_rivalry_

Humphrey Goode, a fellow gun expert, clashes with Jeff Rand over the investigation and their competing knowledge of firearms.

## In the story

### [Murder in the Gunroom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/murder-in-the-gunroom)

Executor of Lane Fleming's estate, meets with Rand to discuss the case.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/iii)

Executor of Lane Fleming's estate; initially suspicious of Rand, but warms after learning Rand's expertise; discloses Fleming's fraud suit against Arnold Rivers.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as the executor of Fleming's estate, but deemed incompetent to handle the collection sale.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/v)

His letter of authorization is shown to Rivers.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/xi)

Referenced as the authority Kirchner consults before releasing the revolver.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/xiii)

Mentioned as having provided Rand with a letter of authorization.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/xvi)

Accused by Rand and Varcek of starting suicide rumors to manipulate Premix stock; denies involvement.

### [The Trap Springs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/xx)

Receives a phone call from Rand promising to keep the Premix Company out of the scandal in exchange for cooperation.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/chapters/xxi)

Paid Rand to suppress facts; involved in spreading the suicide rumor.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters/humphrey_goode
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_gunroom_se/characters