Lord Peter Wimsey

Harriet Vane

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

Mr. Norman Urquhart

Peter suspects Urquhart of murder and engages in a tense intellectual battle to expose his guilt.

Chief Inspector Parker

Parker and Peter are close friends and professional allies, collaborating on the investigation with mutual respect.

Philip Boyes

Peter investigates Boyes' murder and views him as a rival for Harriet's past affections.

Bunter

Bunter is Peter's loyal and resourceful valet, assisting him with both domestic tasks and detective work.

Mrs. Wrayburn

Peter interacts with Mrs. Wrayburn as a friendly acquaintance while gathering information about Harriet.

Miss Marjorie Phelps

Marjorie is a friend and former flame of Peter, who helps him with the investigation.

Freddy Arbuthnot

Freddy is Peter's cheerful and somewhat scatterbrained friend, often providing comic relief and assistance.

Mr. Bill Rumm

Bill Rumm is a witness and associate of Boyes, interviewed by Peter for clues about the murder.

Sir Impey Biggs

Sir Impey Biggs is a prominent barrister hired by Peter to defend Harriet in court.

Mr. Norman Urquhart

Peter suspects Urquhart of murder and engages in a tense intellectual battle to expose his guilt.

Philip Boyes

Peter investigates Boyes' murder and views him as a rival for Harriet's past affections.

I

Present in court, appearing gloomy, and muttering during the judge's summation.

Chapter II

Present in court, murmuring a comment about the judge's fairness.

The Hung Jury

Celebrates the hung jury, expresses certainty of Harriet's innocence, and plans to prove it.

IV

Leads the council of war, recounts jury deliberations, and arranges to visit Harriet Vane in prison.

V

Visits Miss Climpson's bureau and Scotland Yard; passionately argues for reinvestigation of the Vane case, suggesting Boyes may have committed suicide.

VI

Visits the Rev. Arthur Boyes to investigate Philip Boyes' death, then calls on the publisher Mr. Cole and Harriet's agent Mr. Challoner.

VII

Visits Harriet in prison, discusses a murder plot, investigates Urquhart's absence, and arranges for a spy in Urquhart's office.

Chapter VIII

Interviews Ryland Vaughan, tasks Bunter with infiltrating Urquhart's household, and discusses the case with Sylvia Marriott and Eiluned Price.

Chapter X

Interviews Mrs. Bulfinch with Parker, visits Urquhart's office, and argues with Mr. Crofts about the defense strategy.

XI

Examines the will, discusses suicide theory, visits Harriet in prison, and receives Miss Murchison's note.

XII

Endures intrusive questions about the Vane case at the Christmas tea table; later speaks privately with Lady Mary about her engagement to Parker.

XIII

Hosts Miss Murchison at his flat; explains his suspicion that Urquhart forged a will draft; arranges the lock-picking lesson and outlines the mission.

Chapter XV

Struggles with frustration and self-pity over Harriet's case; enlists Miss Climpson to investigate Mrs. Wrayburn; confronts Parker about his feelings for Lady Mary.

Chapter XVI

Suffers through a week of enforced inactivity, irritated by the happiness of Parker and Lady Mary.

XIX

Reads Miss Climpson's letter, declares he knows the criminal and motive, but admits he does not yet know how the crime was done.

The Arsenic Test

Leads the discussion of evidence, oversees the arsenic test, and stays up all night studying to solve the murder method.

XXI

Proposes to Harriet and later meets with a manicurist to enlist her help in a secret scheme.

XXII

Confronts Urquhart with the arsenic immunity theory and orchestrates his arrest.

XXIII

Defends his sister Mary's wish to marry Parker, reveals his own intention to marry Harriet, and leaves immediately after the verdict.