# Harriet Vane — Strong Poison character guide

> Harriet Vane in Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Vane, Miss Vane

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A mystery novelist on trial for poisoning the lover who refused to marry her, she must endure a courtroom that condemns both her art and her private life.

## Who they are

Harriet Vane stands accused not only of murder but of moral impropriety, her bohemian love affair with Philip Boyes laid bare for a disapproving jury. A self-made woman of thirty-nine who built an independent life through her detective fiction, she now finds her own genre used against her as evidence of cunning. Her guarded dignity in the witness box and her refusal to beg for sympathy make her both a compelling defendant and the emotional center of the story.

## Relationships

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_romantic_

Harriet and Peter share a deep, evolving romantic bond as he works to prove her innocence and win her trust.

### [Mrs. Wrayburn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mrs_wrayburn)

_professional_

Mrs. Wrayburn is Harriet's employer and supportive landlady, providing her a place to stay during the trial.

### [Mr. Norman Urquhart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mr_norman_urquhart)

_psychological_

Harriet is manipulated and victimized by Urquhart, who frames her for the murder of Philip Boyes.

### [Mr. Pond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mr_pond)

_professional_

Mr. Pond is Harriet's solicitor, working diligently to defend her against the murder charge.

### [Philip Boyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/philip_boyes)

_romantic_

Harriet had a past romantic relationship with Boyes, which ended bitterly and led to her being accused of his murder.

### [Nurse Williams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/nurse_williams)

_professional_

Nurse Williams is a prison nurse who attends to Harriet during her incarceration, showing kindness.

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_romantic_

Harriet and Peter share a deep, evolving romantic bond as he works to prove her innocence and win her trust.

### [Mrs. Wrayburn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mrs_wrayburn)

_professional_

Mrs. Wrayburn is Harriet's employer and supportive landlady, providing her a place to stay during the trial.

### [Mr. Norman Urquhart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mr_norman_urquhart)

_psychological_

Harriet is manipulated and victimized by Urquhart, who frames her for the murder of Philip Boyes.

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_romantic_

Harriet and Peter share a deep, evolving romantic bond as he works to prove her innocence and win her trust.

### [Mr. Pond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mr_pond)

_professional_

Mr. Pond is Harriet's solicitor, working diligently to defend her against the murder charge.

### [Mrs. Wrayburn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mrs_wrayburn)

_professional_

Mrs. Wrayburn is Harriet's employer and supportive landlady, providing her a place to stay during the trial.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/i)

The prisoner in the dock, described as looking without fear or hope.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/ii)

The prisoner on trial for murder; her statements and actions are reviewed by the judge.

### [The Hung Jury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/iii)

The prisoner, present in the dock during the jury's failure to reach a verdict.

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

Discussed as the defendant; Wimsey secures permission to interview her in Holloway Gaol.

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

Mentioned as the accused; her agent reports a surge in her book sales due to the trial.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/vii)

Engages in a hypothetical murder plot discussion with Wimsey, revealing her cleverness and potential motives.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xi)

Confronts Wimsey about his jealousy and expresses her loss of nerve and distrust.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xxi)

Refuses Wimsey's marriage proposal, citing fear and uncertainty about the future.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xxiii)

Acquitted and discharged without a stain on her character; she asks for Lord Peter Wimsey but learns he has already left.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/harriet_vane
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters