# John Flack — Terror Keep character guide

> John Flack in Terror Keep by Edgar Wallace.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Old John, Crazy John Flack

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

An elderly, deep-eyed fugitive from a lunatic asylum whose mild appearance belies a confirmed and dangerous criminal reputation.

## Who they are

Flack exists in the novel first as a name that makes men uneasy and a newspaper portrait that surprises everyone with its gentleness — a thin face, grizzled moustache, intelligent eyes suggesting anything but the monster the press describes. His escape from the asylum sets the whole machinery of dread in motion, drawing Reeder into the case and turning an ordinary seaside boarding house into a place where strangers are scrutinized twice. He never needs to appear on the page to shape it; his absence is the pressure the early chapters breathe under.

## Relationships

### [J. G. Reeder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/characters/j_g_reeder)

_rivalry_

John Flack is a criminal antagonist who opposes J. G. Reeder's efforts.

### [Margaret Belman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/characters/margaret_belman)

_rivalry_

John Flack is a dangerous figure who threatens or opposes Margaret Belman.

### [J. G. Reeder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/characters/j_g_reeder)

_rivalry_

John Flack is a criminal antagonist who opposes J. G. Reeder's efforts.

### [Margaret Belman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/characters/margaret_belman)

_rivalry_

John Flack is a dangerous figure who threatens or opposes Margaret Belman.

### [J. G. Reeder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/characters/j_g_reeder)

_rivalry_

John Flack is a criminal antagonist who opposes J. G. Reeder's efforts.

## In the story

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

Escaped from Broadmoor; described as a vindictive and brilliant criminal who holds a grudge against Reeder.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/chapters/v)

Reeder suspects Flack of planning the attack and a major robbery.

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

Escapes Broadmoor, kills a guard, and is suspected of planning a bullion robbery.

### [The Hunt for John Flack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/chapters/viii)

Escaped from Broadmoor; phones Reeder to threaten him and boast about future crimes.

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

Mentioned as having escaped from Broadmoor; Daver believes he once stayed at Larmes Keep seven years ago.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/chapters/xiii)

Identified as the mastermind behind the gold heist using a deadly gas.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/chapters/xv)

Mentioned as having escaped Broadmoor and as the husband of Mrs. Burton; his encyclopaedia of crime was entrusted to his daughter.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/chapters/xvi)

Speaks with his daughter Olga in the cave, revealing his ambitions for her and his plan to dispose of Reeder.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/chapters/xvii)

Appears in the cave, chases Margaret up the stairs, and is heard discussing her with Olga.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/chapters/xviii)

Escapes through the caves, fires at Reeder, and attempts to flee by boat.

### [The Truth Unveiled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/chapters/xx)

Referred to as Olga's father, who escaped Broadmoor and orchestrated Ravini's murder.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/characters/john_flack
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/terror_keep_se/characters