# Tommy Beresford — Partners in Crime character guide > Tommy Beresford in Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Thomas Beresford, Mrs. Beresford, Tommy, Mrs. Tommy, Beresford, Old Tommy **First appearance:** 0000-i-a-fairy-in-the-flat ## Snapshot A former spy turned sham detective-agency manager, Tommy Beresford grins through interrogations, cracks jokes at gunpoint, and saves his best moves for later. ## Who they are Tommy runs the International Detective Agency under the borrowed name Theodore Blunt, a cover arranged by British Intelligence and shared with his wife, Tuppence. Bound to a chair and threatened with vitriol, he refuses to be rattled, trading flippant literary allusions for time while his captor demands a missing letter. His cheerful nerve and instinct for playing a part make him the steady, unshakeable center of the couple's increasingly dangerous cases. ## Relationships ### [Tuppence Beresford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/tuppence_beresford) _romantic_ Married couple and detective partners, deeply in love and working together on every case. ### [Gilda Glen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/gilda_glen) _professional_ Client who hires Tommy and Tuppence to investigate a case involving her missing husband. ### [Detective Inspector Dymchurch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/detective_inspector_dymchurch) _professional_ Police detective who collaborates with Tommy on cases, often sharing information and leads. ### [Mr. Beresford Blunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/mr_beresford_blunt) _professional_ A client who employs Tommy's detective agency, though his motives are sometimes unclear. ### [Sir Arthur Merivale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/sir_arthur_merivale) _professional_ A wealthy client who hires Tommy for a case, showing a mix of condescension and reliance. ### [Albert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/albert) _friendship_ Loyal assistant and friend who helps Tommy with various tasks and provides comic relief. ### [Marguerite Laidlaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/marguerite_laidlaw) _psychological_ A mysterious woman who tries to manipulate Tommy with charm and secrets, creating tension. ### [Francis Haviland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/francis_haviland) _professional_ A colleague or contact who assists Tommy in investigations, sharing a professional rapport. ### [Montgomery Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/montgomery_jones) _professional_ An acquaintance who provides information or assistance to Tommy during cases. ### [Mervyn Estcourt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/mervyn_estcourt) _professional_ A suspect or contact who engages with Tommy, revealing layers of deceit and intrigue. ### [Doctor Horriston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/doctor_horriston) _professional_ A medical professional who provides information or alibis, interacting with Tommy in a clinical manner. ### [Colonel Kingston Bruce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/colonel_kingston_bruce) _professional_ A military figure who collaborates with Tommy, showing respect for his detective work. ## In the story ### [A Fairy in the Flat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/i-a-fairy-in-the-flat) Content with his life but indulges Tuppence's whims; shows the photograph with the 'fairy'. ### [A Pot of Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/ii-a-pot-of-tea) Plays the role of the head of the agency, Mr. Blunt, but is skeptical about their prospects and Tuppence's schemes. ### [III: The Affair of the Pink Pearl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/iii-the-affair-of-the-pink-pearl) As Mr. Blunt, he investigates the case, uses detective techniques from books, and cleverly deduces the pearl's hiding place. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/i) As Mr. Blunt, he prepares for the case by studying detective techniques and adopts a Sherlock Holmes persona. He investigates the scene and suspects the stuck door is significant. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/ii) Solves the case by identifying Elise as the thief through fingerprints and the soap trick. ### [The Adventure of the Sinister Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/iv-the-adventure-of-the-sinister-stranger) As Mr. Blunt, he handles the agency's business and is captured by the fake inspector. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/i) As Mr. Blunt, he handles the agency's business, deciphers the blue letter, and plans to catch the intruder with Inspector Dymchurch. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/ii) Captured and interrogated by the fake Inspector Dymchurch; uses wit to stall and writes a deceptive note to Tuppence. ### [Finessing the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/v-finessing-the-king) Reluctantly agrees to Tuppence's plan to investigate the coded advertisement, dressing as a fireman for the Three Arts Ball. He observes the details of the newspaper's white dots and accompanies Tuppence to the Ace of Spades, where he sees the aftermath of the murder. ### [VI: The Gentleman Dressed in Newspaper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/vi-the-gentleman-dressed-in-newspaper) Assists in the investigation, shows hospitality to Inspector Marriot, and supports Tuppence's deductions. ### [VII: The Case of the Missing Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/vii-the-case-of-the-missing-lady) As 'Mr. Blunt', he performs Sherlock Holmes-style deductions and leads the investigation. ### [VIII: Blindman’s Buff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/viii-blindman-s-buff) Practices blind detective work, poses as blind Mr. Blunt, and is abducted by a fake Duke. ### [The Man in the Mist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/ix-the-man-in-the-mist) Disguised as a priest after a failed case; investigates the White House with Tuppence. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/i) Disguised as a priest after a failed case; receives a note from Gilda Glen requesting a meeting. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/ii) Investigates the murder, deduces the killer's identity. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/i) Discusses the need for a larger office, jokes about his detective skills, and accepts the counterfeiting case from Inspector Marriot. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/ii) Investigates the counterfeit note distribution, suspects Marguerite Laidlaw, and orchestrates the capture of Hank Ryder, the 'Crackler'. ### [The Sunningdale Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/xi-the-sunningdale-mystery) Acts as the 'Old Man in the Corner' recounting the Sunningdale Mystery, using string and newspaper clippings to illustrate the case. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/i) Recounts the Sunningdale Mystery, orders a cheese cake and milk as part of his 'Old Man in the Corner' persona, and suggests they investigate the case. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/ii) Reconstructs the golf course events and theorizes about the killer's disguise. ### [The House of Lurking Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/xii-the-house-of-lurking-death) Acts as Mr. Blunt, the head of the agency, and interviews Lois Hargreaves. He is initially playful but becomes serious as the case unfolds. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/i) Playing the role of Mr. Blunt, the detective, and eager to impress the client. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/ii) Investigates the poisoning case, questions servants, and discovers the book on Materia Medica. ### [XIII: The Unbreakable Alibi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/xiii-the-unbreakable-alibi) Works as Mr. Blunt at the detective agency, handles the client interview and investigation. ### [XIV: The Clergyman’s Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/xiv-the-clergyman-s-daughter) Plays along with Tuppence's banter, interviews Miss Deane, and agrees to take on the case. ### [XV: The Red House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/xv-the-red-house) Investigates the Red House, suspects the invalid mother and Crockett, and devises a plan to outbid the nephew. ### [The Ambassador's Boots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/xvi-the-ambassador-s-boots) Disguised as Mr. Blunt, he takes on the Ambassador's case and discovers the cocaine cache. ### [The Man Who Was No. 16](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/xvii-the-man-who-was-no-16) Plays the role of the great detective Mr. Blunt, exchanges passwords with the Russian agent, and coordinates with Mr. Carter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters/tommy_beresford - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/partners_in_crime_se/characters