Murder in the Gunroom · Character

Nelda Dunmore

Fred Dunmore's strident wife, whose shrieking matches with her husband and brother-in-law turn the Fleming library into a nightly battlefield.

supporting

Also known as Nelda

First appearance: ii

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

Stepdaughter of Lane Fleming; co-owner of the collection, supports her husband Fred's handling of the sale.

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Nelda is one of the loudest voices in the Fleming household's running war over the estate, trading vituperation with her husband Fred and with Humphrey Goode while Gladys tries to keep her modulated tone. Her shrieks carry all the way up the spiral stairway to the gunroom, where Rand can hear the family tearing at itself over money and blame. That open hostility makes the household a nest of motives, and it gives Rand a front-row seat to the resentments that could have gotten Lane Fleming killed.

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Character Web

15 connections

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

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Primary suspects and investigators
Minor characters and family members
Protagonist

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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:…

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Relationships

Jeff Rand
social · ambivalent
Nelda Dunmore, Fred's wife, is a nervous acquaintance who provides Jeff Rand with… How this plays out →
Jeff Rand
social · ambivalent
Nelda Dunmore, Fred's wife, is a nervous acquaintance who provides Jeff Rand with… How this plays out →
Jeff Rand
social · ambivalent
Nelda Dunmore, Fred's wife, is a nervous acquaintance who provides Jeff Rand with… How this plays out →

Jeff Rand
Nelda Dunmore, Fred's wife, is a nervous acquaintance who provides Jeff Rand with reluctant but useful information about her husband's dealings.
Jeff Rand
Nelda Dunmore, Fred's wife, is a nervous acquaintance who provides Jeff Rand with reluctant but useful information about her husband's dealings.
Jeff Rand
Nelda Dunmore, Fred's wife, is a nervous acquaintance who provides Jeff Rand with reluctant but useful information about her husband's dealings.

Relationship notes

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

See Nelda Dunmore in ii

In the story

Nelda Dunmore appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Stepdaughter of Lane Fleming; co-owner of the collection, supports her husband Fred's handling of the sale.
VI
Initially hostile and distrustful of Rand, but apologizes after learning the collection's true value. She flirts with Rand and escorts him to the gunroom.
VIII
Defends Rand's assessment, kicks her husband under the table, and supports the women's united front.
Chapter XVI
Angrily confronts Goode and her husband Fred about the suicide rumors.
XVII
Present at breakfast and later confronts Walters angrily after his confession.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Nelda Dunmore in ii

See Nelda Dunmore in I