Simon · Character

Sir Reginald Cromarty

The crusty baronet of Stanesland whose tight-fisted grip on the family purse strings shapes every Cromarty relationship long after his voice falls silent.

supporting

Also known as Reginald, Sir Reginald, Reggie, old Cromarty

First appearance: VIII: Sir Reginald

As a supporting figure in Simon, Sir Reginald Cromarty is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as the one Rattar insists on consulting before revealing Cicely's identity.

In the storyV: The Third VisitorOpen this moment free

See Sir Reginald Cromarty in V: The Third Visitor Book page

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Sir Reginald is the wealthy, old-fashioned patriarch whose allowance to his heir Malcolm comes with patronising strings attached, and whose refusal to loosen them drives the young man toward desperate borrowing. His narrow notions of respectability and his habit of keeping dependents like Cicely Farmond in deliberate obscurity make him a pressure point for nearly everyone at Keldale. The death that opens the book turns his accumulated grudges, debts, and silences into the engine of the whole mystery.

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

See Sir Reginald Cromarty in VIII: Sir Reginald

Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Sir Reginald Cromarty sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Family
Rivalry
Professional
Other

Character groups

Central Mystery Participants
Protagonist

+9 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
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Ned Cromarty experiences an emotional and psychological peak of re…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Simon Rattar
psychological · negative
Rattar exerts a manipulative influence over Sir Reginald, exploiting his weaknesses for… How this plays out →
Ned Cromarty
family · ambivalent
F. T. Carrington
rivalry · negative
James Bisset
professional · ambivalent
Ned Cromarty
family · ambivalent
James Bisset
professional · ambivalent
F. T. Carrington
rivalry · negative
Simon Rattar
psychological · negative
Rattar exerts a manipulative influence over Sir Reginald, exploiting his weaknesses for… How this plays out →
Simon Rattar
psychological · negative
Rattar exerts a manipulative influence over Sir Reginald, exploiting his weaknesses for… How this plays out →

Simon Rattar
Rattar exerts a manipulative influence over Sir Reginald, exploiting his weaknesses for personal gain.
Ned Cromarty
Ned is Sir Reginald's son, and their relationship is strained by Sir Reginald's vulnerability to Rattar's manipulation.
F. T. Carrington
Carrington and Sir Reginald are opponents, with Carrington frequently challenging Sir Reginald's decisions and alliances.
James Bisset
James and Sir Reginald have a professional connection, likely as employee and employer or business partners.
Ned Cromarty
Ned is Sir Reginald's son, and their relationship is strained by Sir Reginald's vulnerability to Rattar's manipulation.
James Bisset
James and Sir Reginald have a professional connection, likely as employee and employer or business partners.
F. T. Carrington
Carrington and Sir Reginald are opponents, with Carrington frequently challenging Sir Reginald's decisions and alliances.
Simon Rattar
Rattar exerts a manipulative influence over Sir Reginald, exploiting his weaknesses for personal gain.
Simon Rattar
Rattar exerts a manipulative influence over Sir Reginald, exploiting his weaknesses for personal gain.

Relationship notes

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

See Sir Reginald Cromarty in VIII: Sir Reginald

In the story

Sir Reginald Cromarty appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V: The Third Visitor
Mentioned as the one Rattar insists on consulting before revealing Cicely's identity.
VIII: Sir Reginald
Shows his benevolent but unsuspicious nature; defends Cicely's character and dismisses Lady Cromarty's concerns about Malcolm and Cicely.
X: The Letter
Discusses George Rattar's past, becomes angry over Simon Rattar's letter about Castleknowe, and sends a sharp reply.
XI: News
The murder victim; found dead in his library with a cracked skull and strangulation marks.
XX: The Sporting Visitor
The murder victim; his death is the central topic of the evening's conversation.
The House of Mysteries
His murder on the same night as the burglary is mentioned as a key coincidence.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Sir Reginald Cromarty unlock in the free preview.

See Sir Reginald Cromarty in VIII: Sir Reginald

See Sir Reginald Cromarty in V: The Third Visitor