# Cosmo Latham — Suspense character guide > Cosmo Latham in Suspense by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Cosmo, Mr. Cosmo, Mr. Latham, Latham, Mr. Cosmo Latham, young Latham **First appearance:** 0001-suspense ## Snapshot A restless young Englishman abroad in Napoleonic Italy, Cosmo Latham wants to avoid familiar faces—and finds himself instead drawn toward a woman he cannot forget. ## Who they are Cosmo arrives in Genoa well-connected, well-looked-after, and quietly at loose ends, attended by his father's trusted servant Spire and armed with pistols he has no intention of needing. He seeks men's company and solitude, yet the memory of a fair-haired girl from his Yorkshire childhood pulls him toward the Countess de Montevesso before he has even met her as a woman. His hesitation between curiosity and retreat makes him the perfect hinge for a story about how the past reaches across borders to claim the present. ## Relationships ### [Madame de Montevesso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/madame_de_montevesso) _romantic_ A passionate and intense affair, marked by secrecy and mutual obsession, with Cosmo drawn to her allure and danger. ### [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/the_doctor) _psychological_ The Doctor is a manipulative mentor and puppeteer, using Cosmo as a pawn in his schemes while feigning care. ### [Barbone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/barbone) _rivalry_ Barbone is a cunning and ruthless antagonist, constantly plotting against Cosmo and undermining his plans. ### [Spire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/spire) _friendship_ Spire is a loyal and resourceful companion, often acting as Cosmo's right-hand man in dangerous situations. ### [Sir Charles Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/sir_charles_latham) _family_ Sir Charles is Cosmo's father, a stern and disapproving figure whose expectations weigh heavily on Cosmo. ### [Count de Montevesso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/count_de_montevesso) _rivalry_ The Count is a powerful and jealous husband, viewing Cosmo as a threat and enemy in both business and love. ### [Father Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/father_paul) _friendship_ Father Paul is a trusted confidant and moral guide, offering Cosmo counsel and a safe haven. ### [Lady Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/lady_latham) _family_ Lady Latham is Cosmo's mother, a loving but fragile woman who worries for her son's safety and soul. ### [Attilio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/attilio) _friendship_ Attilio is a boisterous and loyal friend, often providing comic relief and steadfast support to Cosmo. ### [Signor Cantelucci](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/signor_cantelucci) _friendship_ Signor Cantelucci is a kind and wise innkeeper, offering Cosmo shelter and advice during his travels. ### [Napoleon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/napoleon) _professional_ Cosmo is drawn into Napoleon's orbit as a reluctant agent, navigating the political intrigue of the era. ### [Signore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/signore) _social_ The Signore is a mysterious and elusive figure, whose true identity and motives remain unclear to Cosmo. ## In the story ### [Suspense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/suspense) Arrives in Genoa, seeks lodging, dines with Doctor Martel, and begins to navigate the complex social and political landscape. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-i-i) Young English traveler, son of Sir Charles Latham, curious and fearless, engages with a mysterious man on the tower. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Learns of Adèle's marriage and agrees to visit the Marquis d'Armand. He discusses the past with his sister Henrietta. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Engages with Spire about the political unrest, shares his own sunset experience, and gives instructions to find a man in a cap. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Arrives in Genoa, dines with Doctor Martel, and is alerted by Spire to a mysterious man's presence. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Experiences diffidence and social anxiety before visiting the Countess, reflecting on his father's influence and his own place in society. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Visits the Marquis d'Armand, discusses politics and his impressions of Europe, and prepares to meet the Marquis's daughter. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) Meets Count Helion for the first time, finds him to be a dubious military adventurer, and is left alone with Adèle. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Listens to the Countess's confession with youthful sincerity and sympathy. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-vi) Listens attentively to Madame de Montevesso's story, expresses sympathy, and reflects on the impact of historical events on their lives. He is deeply affected by her words and presence. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-vii) Mentioned by Clelia as the object of her desire. He is described as the young Englishman who visited that day. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-iii-i) Dines with Doctor Martel, listens to his stories, and struggles with melancholy and thoughts of the Countess de Montevesso. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Tormented by his vision of Madame de Montevesso, he struggles to write letters and contemplates leaving Genoa, feeling a loss of purpose. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Has vanished from his inn during the night, leaving his money behind, and is the subject of Doctor Martel's investigation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-iv-i) Reflects on fate and loneliness, is captured by the sbirri and taken to the guardroom, worried about the papers in his hat. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/cosmo_latham - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters