# The Doctor — Suspense character guide

> The Doctor in Suspense by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Doctor Martel, Martel

**First appearance:** 0001-suspense

## Snapshot

Doctor Martel, a Genoese physician whose morning is derailed by an English milord's disappearance, and whose cool head for quiet inquiries makes him a useful man to know.

## Who they are

The doctor moves easily between the innkeeper Cantelucci's anxious confidences and the naval officers at his dining table, taking snuff and turning over the puzzle of a guest who went out for air and never came back. He suspects his own courier of drinking with the missing man's servant, and he dispatches the fellow to the police with instructions to be discreet. He matters because his speculative, unflappable intelligence gives the early mystery a rational counterweight, and because his willingness to probe quietly makes him a natural conduit for information others would rather suppress.

## Relationships

### [Cosmo Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/cosmo_latham)

_psychological_

The Doctor is a manipulative mentor and puppeteer, using Cosmo as a pawn in his schemes while feigning care.

### [Madame de Montevesso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/madame_de_montevesso)

_psychological_

The Doctor holds a dark influence over Madame, using her secrets and vulnerabilities to control her actions.

### [Signor Cantelucci](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/signor_cantelucci)

_rivalry_

Signor Cantelucci distrusts the Doctor, suspecting him of dark dealings and trying to protect others from him.

### [Cosmo Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/cosmo_latham)

_psychological_

The Doctor is a manipulative mentor and puppeteer, using Cosmo as a pawn in his schemes while feigning care.

### [Cosmo Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/cosmo_latham)

_psychological_

The Doctor is a manipulative mentor and puppeteer, using Cosmo as a pawn in his schemes while feigning care.

### [Madame de Montevesso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/madame_de_montevesso)

_psychological_

The Doctor holds a dark influence over Madame, using her secrets and vulnerabilities to control her actions.

### [Signor Cantelucci](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/signor_cantelucci)

_rivalry_

Signor Cantelucci distrusts the Doctor, suspecting him of dark dealings and trying to protect others from him.

### [Madame de Montevesso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/madame_de_montevesso)

_psychological_

The Doctor holds a dark influence over Madame, using her secrets and vulnerabilities to control her actions.

### [Signor Cantelucci](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/signor_cantelucci)

_rivalry_

Signor Cantelucci distrusts the Doctor, suspecting him of dark dealings and trying to protect others from him.

## In the story

### [Suspense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/suspense)

Dines with Cosmo, providing insight into the local political situation.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

An English doctor from Tuscany, known for his loud and angry voice, staying at the inn.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-i)

Dines with Cosmo, shares the history of the inn and his cynical views on the era.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-ii)

Leaves a message inviting Cosmo to share a midday meal with him.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-iii-i)

Reflects on his encounter with Count de Montevesso and his request to remove Cosmo from Genoa; discusses Napoleon and Pozzo di Borgo with Cosmo.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-iii-ii)

Doctor Martel dines with Cosmo, observes his changed state, and advises him on travel, hinting at the urgency of seeing Napoleon.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-iii-iii)

Finishes a confidential memorandum for the Marquis d'Armand, learns of Cosmo's disappearance from Cantelucci, and visits Madame de Montevesso to investigate.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/the_doctor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters