Something New · Character

Joan Valentine

A resourceful young woman who lectures others on enterprise, then finds her own venture complicated when the man she inspired becomes her rival.

major

Also known as Joan, Valentine, Miss Valentine

First appearance: I

As a major figure in Something New, Joan Valentine is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Neighbor in the first-floor front; writes short stories for Home Gossip; apologizes for laughing at Ashe; shares her varied work history and encourages Ashe to be adventurous.

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Joan Valentine is a working girl in London who stirs Ashe Marson out of his sloth with a lecture on enterprise — and immediately regrets it when he turns up as her competitor for the same scarab reward. She insists on a business partnership with no chivalry, determined to earn her share through equal risk. Her competence and independence unsettle Ashe, who cannot quite reconcile his progressive views with his wounded pride at being outdone by a girl.

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

See Joan Valentine in I

Character Web

23 connections

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

Relationship types

Romantic
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Main Cast & Key Players
Protagonist
Minor Cast & Background Figures

+18 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

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Freddie’s desperate an…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Ashe Marson
romantic · positive
They are a romantic couple who team up to solve a mystery and eventually fall in love. How this plays out →
Aline Peters
friendship · positive
R. Jones
friendship · positive
Ashe Marson
romantic · positive
They are a romantic couple who team up to solve a mystery and eventually fall in love. How this plays out →
Ashe Marson
romantic · positive
They are a romantic couple who team up to solve a mystery and eventually fall in love. How this plays out →
R. Jones
friendship · positive
Aline Peters
friendship · positive
Aline Peters
friendship · positive
R. Jones
friendship · positive

Ashe Marson
They are a romantic couple who team up to solve a mystery and eventually fall in love.
Aline Peters
They become friends, with Joan helping Aline navigate her romantic situation.
R. Jones
They are allies in the investigation, cooperating to solve the mystery.
Ashe Marson
They are a romantic couple who team up to solve a mystery and eventually fall in love.
Ashe Marson
They are a romantic couple who team up to solve a mystery and eventually fall in love.
R. Jones
They are allies in the investigation, cooperating to solve the mystery.
Aline Peters
They become friends, with Joan helping Aline navigate her romantic situation.
Aline Peters
They become friends, with Joan helping Aline navigate her romantic situation.
R. Jones
They are allies in the investigation, cooperating to solve the mystery.

Relationship notes

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

See Joan Valentine in I

In the story

Joan Valentine appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Neighbor in the first-floor front; writes short stories for Home Gossip; apologizes for laughing at Ashe; shares her varied work history and encourages Ashe to be adventurous.
Chapter II
A chorus girl from 'The Baby Doll' to whom Freddie wrote love letters and poetry; she is a potential threat to his engagement.
III
Joan devises a scheme to pose as Aline's lady's maid to steal the scarab, revealing her past experience as a lady's maid.
IV
Reveals she has been hired as a lady's maid to Aline Peters; becomes suspicious of the coincidence and investigates the advertisement.
V
Travels with Ashe to Blandings Castle, is recognized as the girl Freddie wrote letters to, and becomes distressed before Ashe intervenes.
VI
Found in the stable yard playing with a puppy, she reveals she has known Ashe's mission all along and declares they are rivals for the scarab reward.
The Missing Scarab
Believes Ashe took the scarab despite his promise, but learns he did not; realizes the scarab is gone and the reward is in jeopardy.
Chapter XI
Mentioned as having destroyed the letters; the blackmail claim is false.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Joan Valentine unlock in the free preview.

See Joan Valentine in I