# Mrs. Howard Van Burnam — That Affair Next Door character guide > Mrs. Howard Van Burnam in That Affair Next Door by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** Mrs. Van Burnam, Howard van Burnam **First appearance:** 0013-xiii-howard-van-burnam ## Who they are Howard's wife, distinct from the Haddam Mrs. Van Burnam. ## Relationships ### [Coroner Dahl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/coroner_dahl) _professional_ Coroner Dahl interacts with Mrs. Howard Van Burnam as part of the official investigation into the death connected to her household. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/mr_gryce) _professional_ Mr. Gryce questions and investigates Mrs. Howard Van Burnam as a key figure in the murder case. ### [Amelia Butterworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/amelia_butterworth) _social_ Amelia is a nosy neighbor and acquaintance of Mrs. Howard Van Burnam, observing her with suspicion and curiosity. ### [Louise Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/louise_van_burnam) _family_ Louise Van Burnam is the sister-in-law of Mrs. Howard Van Burnam, and their interactions are strained by family tensions and the murder. ### [Franklin Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/franklin_van_burnam) _family_ Franklin Van Burnam is the brother of Mrs. Howard Van Burnam's deceased husband, and their relationship is fraught with suspicion and conflict. ### [Randolph Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/randolph_stone) _romantic_ Mrs. Howard Van Burnam and Randolph Stone are suspected of having a romantic relationship, which becomes a motive for murder. ### [Coroner Dahl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/coroner_dahl) _professional_ Coroner Dahl interacts with Mrs. Howard Van Burnam as part of the official investigation into the death connected to her household. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/mr_gryce) _professional_ Mr. Gryce questions and investigates Mrs. Howard Van Burnam as a key figure in the murder case. ### [Louise Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/louise_van_burnam) _family_ Louise Van Burnam is the sister-in-law of Mrs. Howard Van Burnam, and their interactions are strained by family tensions and the murder. ### [Franklin Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/franklin_van_burnam) _family_ Franklin Van Burnam is the brother of Mrs. Howard Van Burnam's deceased husband, and their relationship is fraught with suspicion and conflict. ### [Franklin Van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/franklin_van_burnam) _family_ Franklin Van Burnam is the brother of Mrs. Howard Van Burnam's deceased husband, and their relationship is fraught with suspicion and conflict. ### [Coroner Dahl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/coroner_dahl) _professional_ Coroner Dahl interacts with Mrs. Howard Van Burnam as part of the official investigation into the death connected to her household. ## 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) One of the Van Burnam sons, involved in the mystery surrounding the house. ### [III: Amelia Discovers Herself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/iii-amelia-discovers-herself) Shows agitation upon hearing Amelia's account of the midnight arrival, contradicting his earlier dismissive stance. ### [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) Brought to identify the body; initially claims 'This is no one I know,' but later shows recognition of the hands and distress. ### [New Facts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/vi-new-facts) Refuses to acknowledge the body as his wife's, shows no interest in the murder details, and insists on leaving to search for Louise. ### [VII: Mr. Gryce Discovers Miss Amelia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/vii-mr-gryce-discovers-miss-amelia) Mentioned as the prime suspect; Gryce implies matters look grim for him. ### [VIII: The Misses van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/viii-the-misses-van-burnam) Discussed but not present; the papers cast doubt on his candor, and his sisters defend him. ### [IX: Developments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/ix-developments) Mentioned during the inquest; he was shown the scar on the victim's ankle but refused to identify the body as his wife. ### [X: Important Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/x-important-evidence) Mentioned in Miss Ferguson's testimony as the husband who argued with Louise about her trip to New York. ### [The Order Clerk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xi-the-order-clerk) The deceased; her clothing is identified as the outfit ordered by 'Mrs. James Pope'. ### [The Order Clerk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xi-the-order-clerk) Mentioned as having possession of the handbag left by his wife at the friend's house. ### [XII: The Keys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xii-the-keys) Mentioned as the brother who borrowed keys and whose marriage was disapproved by the family. ### [XIII: Howard van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xiii-howard-van-burnam) Testifies at the inquest; initially denies the victim is his wife but breaks down when her hat is produced; shows evasiveness about the keys and his wife's hands. ### [A Serious Admission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xiv-a-serious-admission) Admits he accompanied his wife into the house and perjured himself; claims she was alive when he left and suggests suicide or accident. ### [XV: A Reluctant Witness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xv-a-reluctant-witness) Recalled to explain Stone's testimony; admits being at the house but claims he did not enter, offering a contradictory explanation. ### [XVI: Cogitations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xvi-cogitations) The prime suspect; Amelia analyzes his contradictory testimony and struggles to reconcile her instinct that he is innocent with the evidence against him. ### [Butterworth Versus Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xvii-butterworth-versus-gryce) Discussed as the prime suspect; Amelia argues against his guilt, noting inconsistencies in the evidence and his demeanor at the inquest. ### [The Little Pincushion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xviii-the-little-pincushion) Arrested for his wife's murder; his trunks were found packed, suggesting he was preparing for a journey. ### [Miss Butterworth’s Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xx-miss-butterworth-s-theory) Central to Amelia's theory; she argues he perjured himself to protect his wife, identifying the dead woman as his wife despite knowing otherwise. ### [A Shrewd Conjecture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxi-a-shrewd-conjecture) His testimony is analyzed in light of Amelia's theory; his conduct is questioned. ### [A Shrewd Conjecture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxi-a-shrewd-conjecture) The subject of the advertisement and the photograph request; her plaid silk is key to the theory. ### [XXV: “The Rings! Where Are the Rings?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxv-the-rings-where-are-the-rings) Discussed as possibly innocent; Amelia theorizes he was deceived by the clothing exchange and did not know his wife was in the house. ### [A Tilt with Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxvi-a-tilt-with-mr-gryce) Mentioned as the man arrested for the murder; Amelia believes he is innocent. ### [Book III: The Girl in Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-iii-the-girl-in-gray) The deceased's husband, whose actions and relationships are under scrutiny. ### [XXIX: Amelia Becomes Peremptory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxix-amelia-becomes-peremptory) Mentioned as not having been in the Duane Street office since his wife's murder. ### [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) Howard is mentioned as the brother initially suspected, but Mr. Gryce now believes Franklin is the murderer. ### [Some Fine Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxi-some-fine-work) Mentioned as having dropped the keys and being seen on the stoop, but Gryce considers his testimony a tissue of lies. ### [Known, Known, All Known.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxiii-known-known-all-known) Mentioned as the brother in custody; Ruth Oliver suggests the rings be returned to him. ### [A Ruse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxv-a-ruse) Implied occupant of the second carriage; Ruth's violent reaction confirms her association with him. ### [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) Key suspect whose fate is decided in this chapter. ### [The Result](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-result) Remains composed and denies knowing Ruth Oliver; dismisses her as a 'miserable waif' and shows no guilt or fear. ### [Two Weeks!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxvii-two-weeks) Mentioned as having an unexpected meeting with Ruth; his attitude suggests a lack of connection to her. ### [A White Satin Gown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-white-satin-gown) Referenced by Ruth when she says to buy as for Mr. Van Burnam's daughter. ### [XLI: Secret History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xli-secret-history) His desk is where Ruth Oliver placed the rings, leading to complications. ### [With Miss Butterworth's Compliments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xlii-with-miss-butterworth-s-compliments) Bears his release with composure; his motives for perjuring himself are explained as protecting his wife's reputation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/mrs_howard_van_burnam - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters