# Philip Boyes — Strong Poison character guide

> Philip Boyes in Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Boyes, Philip, Mr. Boyes, this Mr. Boyes, this fellow Boyes, this unsavoury blighter Boyes, Mr. ¬ÝPhilip Boyes, the said Philip Boyes

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A handsome novelist of advanced opinions, he preached free love and atheism while refusing to marry the woman he persuaded to live with him.

## Who they are

Philip Boyes wrote five novels and many essays advocating doctrines the prosecution calls immoral and seditious, and he conducted his private life accordingly. He pursued Harriet Vane with unceasing importunities until she surrendered to an arrangement he refused to formalize, leaving her socially exposed and emotionally worn. His death by arsenic transforms him from a minor literary provocateur into the silent center of a murder trial that will judge his lover's character as much as her actions.

## Relationships

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

_rivalry_

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

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

_rivalry_

Urquhart harbored resentment toward Boyes, ultimately leading to his murder.

### [Harriet Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/harriet_vane)

_romantic_

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

### [Mr. Ryland Vaughan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mr_ryland_vaughan)

_friendship_

Ryland Vaughan was a friend and literary associate of Boyes, providing insight into his life and death.

### [Hannah Westlock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/hannah_westlock)

_psychological_

Hannah Westlock was Boyes' former lover and a victim of his emotional manipulation, leading to her resentment.

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

_rivalry_

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

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

_rivalry_

Urquhart harbored resentment toward Boyes, ultimately leading to his murder.

### [Mr. Ryland Vaughan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mr_ryland_vaughan)

_friendship_

Ryland Vaughan was a friend and literary associate of Boyes, providing insight into his life and death.

### [Hannah Westlock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/hannah_westlock)

_psychological_

Hannah Westlock was Boyes' former lover and a victim of his emotional manipulation, leading to her resentment.

### [Harriet Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/harriet_vane)

_romantic_

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

### [Harriet Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/harriet_vane)

_romantic_

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

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

_rivalry_

Urquhart harbored resentment toward Boyes, ultimately leading to his murder.

## In the story

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

The deceased, a writer whose relationship with Harriet Vane is central to the case.

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

The deceased; his movements, symptoms, and hair analysis are central to the evidence.

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

Discussed in detail; his will, finances, and the posthumous boom in his book sales are examined.

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

Mentioned as having made a will in Harriet's favor, later altered; his death and inheritance are central to the plot discussion.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/ix)

Deceased; his illness and symptoms are discussed in detail, including cramps, pins and needles, and his habit of making omelettes.

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

Discussed in the context of the will and Wimsey's jealousy over Harriet's past relationship with him.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xix)

Named as the primary beneficiary of the will, inheriting the real estate and fifty thousand pounds.

## Links

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