# J. Preston Peters — Something New character guide

> J. Preston Peters in Something New by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Peters, Peters

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A millionaire American businessman whose dyspepsia and determination to recover a prized scarab bring him to Blandings Castle, where his daughter's engagement complicates everything.

## Who they are

J. Preston Peters is a self-made American millionaire whose weak digestion and insomnia make him a demanding guest at Blandings Castle. He has offered a five-thousand-dollar reward for the return of a scarab stolen from his collection, a sum that attracts both Ashe Marson and Joan Valentine as competitors. His daughter Aline's engagement to Freddie Threepwood ties him to the family, but his real obsession is the missing Egyptian artifact — and he will pay handsomely to get it back.

## Relationships

### [Ashe Marson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/ashe_marson)

_professional_

Ashe is hired by Peters to retrieve a stolen scarab, creating an employer-employee dynamic.

### [Lord Emsworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/lord_emsworth)

_social_

They are fellow aristocrats and acquaintances, with Peters visiting Emsworth's estate.

### [Rupert Baxter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/rupert_baxter)

_rivalry_

They are adversaries, with Peters distrusting Baxter's interference in his affairs.

### [Ashe Marson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/ashe_marson)

_professional_

Ashe is hired by Peters to retrieve a stolen scarab, creating an employer-employee dynamic.

### [Ashe Marson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/ashe_marson)

_professional_

Ashe is hired by Peters to retrieve a stolen scarab, creating an employer-employee dynamic.

### [Rupert Baxter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/rupert_baxter)

_rivalry_

They are adversaries, with Peters distrusting Baxter's interference in his affairs.

### [Lord Emsworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/lord_emsworth)

_social_

They are fellow aristocrats and acquaintances, with Peters visiting Emsworth's estate.

### [Lord Emsworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/lord_emsworth)

_social_

They are fellow aristocrats and acquaintances, with Peters visiting Emsworth's estate.

### [Rupert Baxter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/rupert_baxter)

_rivalry_

They are adversaries, with Peters distrusting Baxter's interference in his affairs.

## In the story

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

Mr. Peters discovers the Cheops scarab missing and angrily accuses Lord Emsworth of theft.

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

Offers Ashe one thousand pounds to carry out the delicate and dangerous enterprise of retrieving his stolen scarab.

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

Mentioned as the principal guest at Blandings Castle, whose valet Ashe is posing as.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/chapters/vi)

Awakened by Ashe's arrival for the reading session, he expresses frustration and warns Ashe about Baxter's suspicions.

### [The Missing Scarab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/chapters/x)

Takes the news of the theft calmly, praises Ashe, and prepares to write a check for the reward.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/j_preston_peters
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters