# Mr. Gryce — That Affair Next Door character guide > Mr. Gryce in That Affair Next Door by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gryce, Instantly Mr. Gryce, VII Mr. Gryce, IX Developments Mr. Gryce, Happily Mr. Gryce **First appearance:** 0001-i-a-discovery ## Snapshot A veteran detective whose fatherly manner conceals a patient, probing intelligence, he works the Van Burnam murder while tolerating an amateur rival at his elbow. ## Who they are Mr. Gryce is the seasoned police presence in a case already crowded with Van Burnam secrets and a spinster who will not stay out of his way. He studies suspects before speaking to them, slips rings from his pocket to test a delirious woman's terror, and lets her believe he is a doctor when the deception serves the truth. His willingness to be gentle — even tender — with the guilty makes him the moral counterweight to Amelia's impatience, and his slow, methodical pressure shapes the investigation's middle stretch. ## Relationships ### [Amelia Butterworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/amelia_butterworth) _friendship_ Amelia and Mr. Gryce are investigative allies, with Amelia often assisting Gryce in solving mysteries through her keen observations. ### [Mrs. Howard Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/mrs_howard_van_burnam) _professional_ Mr. Gryce questions and investigates Mrs. Howard Van Burnam as a key figure in the murder case. ### [Franklin Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/franklin_van_burnam) _professional_ Franklin Van Burnam is a suspect interviewed by Mr. Gryce during the murder investigation. ### [Louise Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/louise_van_burnam) _professional_ Louise Van Burnam is interviewed by Mr. Gryce as a witness and potential suspect in the murder case. ### [Coroner Dahl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/coroner_dahl) _professional_ Coroner Dahl and Mr. Gryce collaborate as law enforcement officials working on the same murder investigation. ### [Altman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/altman) _professional_ Altman is a police officer or assistant who works under Mr. Gryce's direction in the investigation. ### [Amelia Butterworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/amelia_butterworth) _friendship_ Amelia and Mr. Gryce are investigative allies, with Amelia often assisting Gryce in solving mysteries through her keen observations. ### [Louise Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/louise_van_burnam) _professional_ Louise Van Burnam is interviewed by Mr. Gryce as a witness and potential suspect in the murder case. ### [Franklin Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/franklin_van_burnam) _professional_ Franklin Van Burnam is a suspect interviewed by Mr. Gryce during the murder investigation. ### [Mrs. Howard Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/mrs_howard_van_burnam) _professional_ Mr. Gryce questions and investigates Mrs. Howard Van Burnam as a key figure in the murder case. ### [Coroner Dahl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/coroner_dahl) _professional_ Coroner Dahl and Mr. Gryce collaborate as law enforcement officials working on the same murder investigation. ### [Altman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/altman) _professional_ Altman is a police officer or assistant who works under Mr. Gryce's direction in the investigation. ## In the story ### [Book I: Miss Butterworth’s Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-i-miss-butterworth-s-window) The detective investigating the case, who interacts with Miss Butterworth. ### [A Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/i-a-discovery) The policeman at the scene; he is stoic, follows procedure, and waits for the coroner. ### [Questions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/ii-questions) Detective who questions Amelia and the scrub-woman; noted for his experience and calm demeanor. ### [III: Amelia Discovers Herself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/iii-amelia-discovers-herself) Observes Amelia with a mix of admiration and wariness, handing over evidence and noting her interference. ### [V: “This Is No One I Know.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/v-this-is-no-one-i-know) Detective who escorts Howard to the undertaker's and subtly probes his reactions. ### [New Facts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/vi-new-facts) Delivers the news of murder and reveals the unusual method of killing; observes Howard's reactions closely. ### [VII: Mr. Gryce Discovers Miss Amelia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/vii-mr-gryce-discovers-miss-amelia) Admits Amelia into the house, shares that a wound on the victim was not self-inflicted, and asks her to observe a gentleman at midnight. ### [VIII: The Misses van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/viii-the-misses-van-burnam) Detective; calls early, receives Amelia's report that the night visitor did not match the man she saw, remains inscrutable. ### [IX: Developments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/ix-developments) Visits Amelia early in the morning to ask about the previous night's visitor; is present at the inquest though not visible. ### [X: Important Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/x-important-evidence) Testifies about the discovery of the broken hatpin in the register, linking it to the murder weapon. ### [XIII: Howard van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xiii-howard-van-burnam) Present at the inquest; produced the hat found in the closet; his reactions are noted by Amelia, especially his contemplation of his cane. ### [A Serious Admission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xiv-a-serious-admission) Present at the inquest; briefly confirms the register was closed when asked by the Coroner. ### [XV: A Reluctant Witness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xv-a-reluctant-witness) Sent by the Coroner into the neighboring room to facilitate the next witness, showing his role in managing the inquest. ### [Book II: The Windings of a Labyrinth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-ii-the-windings-of-a-labyrinth) The detective working alongside or in parallel with Amelia on the case. ### [XVI: Cogitations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xvi-cogitations) Mentioned indirectly through the police discoveries; his work is part of the evidence Amelia weighs. ### [Butterworth Versus Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xvii-butterworth-versus-gryce) Visits Amelia to discuss the identification of the man entering the Van Burnam house; is sarcastic and dismissive of her theories but shows signs of being unsettled. ### [Miss Butterworth’s Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xx-miss-butterworth-s-theory) Mentioned at the end as the detective Amelia hopes to impress with her theory. ### [A Shrewd Conjecture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxi-a-shrewd-conjecture) Mentioned as not having produced the plaid silk bundle. ### [XXIII: Ruth Oliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxiii-ruth-oliver) Referenced by Amelia as the detective she wishes to outdo in solving the case. ### [A Tilt with Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxvi-a-tilt-with-mr-gryce) Engages in a verbal duel with Amelia; admits he has not found the rings and shows interest in her discoveries. ### [XXVIII: Taken Aback](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxviii-taken-aback) Sends a letter to Miss Butterworth informing her that the rings have been found and that Franklin Van Burnam will be arrested. ### [Book III: The Girl in Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-iii-the-girl-in-gray) The detective working alongside Amelia, sharing insights and coordinating efforts. ### [XXIX: Amelia Becomes Peremptory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxix-amelia-becomes-peremptory) Wary and patronizing, he uses a vase as a prop while probing Amelia's knowledge. ### [The Matter as Stated by Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxx-the-matter-as-stated-by-mr-gryce) Mr. Gryce explains his investigation, his doubts about Howard's guilt, and his strategy to implicate Franklin Van Burnam. ### [Some Fine Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxi-some-fine-work) Lays out the evidence against Franklin Van Burnam, including the rings and letter, and attempts to elicit Miss Butterworth's confidence. ### [XXXII: Iconoclasm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxii-iconoclasm) Humbled and astonished by Amelia's revelations, admits to being outwitted and listens intently. ### [Known, Known, All Known.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxiii-known-known-all-known) Leads the interrogation of Ruth Oliver, using gentle but persistent tactics to extract information about the rings and her involvement. ### [Exactly Half-Past Three](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxiv-exactly-half-past-three) Discusses the case with Miss Butterworth, plans a scheme to test Ruth Oliver at half-past three, and expresses sympathy for her. ### [A Ruse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxv-a-ruse) Devises the scheme to test Ruth Oliver's reaction to the Van Burnam brothers; orchestrates the carriage encounter. ### [Book IV: The End of a Great Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-iv-the-end-of-a-great-mystery) Detective involved in the case, present at the resolution. ### [The Result](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-result) Surprised and chagrined by the failure of his scheme; observes Ruth Oliver and Howard Van Burnam closely, trying to provoke a reaction. ### [Two Weeks!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxvii-two-weeks) Reveals himself as a detective; discusses the case with the Superintendent and agrees to shadow Ruth. ### [A White Satin Gown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-white-satin-gown) Arranges Amelia's visit to Ruth Oliver; warns Amelia to report everything and humor Ruth. ### [As the Clock Struck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xl-as-the-clock-struck) Present at the wedding, observed by Amelia; his expression is anxious. ### [With Miss Butterworth's Compliments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xlii-with-miss-butterworth-s-compliments) Has been shaken by the case, hinting at retirement due to his age and loss of confidence. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned in relation to the misidentification of Franklin Van Burnam. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/mr_gryce - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters