# The Beetle — The Beetle character guide > The Beetle in The Beetle by Richard Marsh. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Beetle, The Beetle, the Beetle, the stranger, the man, this man, An Arab, Arab, The Arab, the Arab, Mr. Pleesman, Harab, the Harab **First appearance:** 0000-book-i-the-house-with-the-open-window ## Snapshot A shape-shifting Egyptian entity that hunts Paul Lessingham across London, announced by a buzzing hum and a horror of beetles. ## Who they are The Beetle is a supernatural predator from Egypt, capable of appearing as an Arab man, a monstrous insect, or something in between, and it pursues Paul Lessingham with patient malice. It kills Robert Holt, terrorizes Marjorie Lindon, and leaves a trail of panic and paralysis wherever it goes, its presence always heralded by a buzzing that seems to come from everywhere at once. As the unseen engine of the plot, it turns a political rivalry and a love triangle into a struggle against an ancient, inhuman will. ## Relationships ### [Sydney Atherton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/sydney_atherton) _rivalry_ Sydney Atherton and the Beetle are locked in a fierce, antagonistic struggle, with the Beetle seeking to destroy Atherton and those he protects. ### [Paul Lessingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/paul_lessingham) _psychological_ Paul Lessingham is the primary obsession and victim of the Beetle, who relentlessly pursues him due to a past connection in Egypt. ### [Marjorie Lindon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/marjorie_lindon) _psychological_ Marjorie Lindon becomes a target of the Beetle's hypnotic and predatory attacks, used as leverage against Paul Lessingham. ### [Mr. Lindon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/mr_lindon) _psychological_ Mr. Lindon is horrified and manipulated by the Beetle, who invades his home and threatens his family. ### [Robert Holt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/robert_holt) _psychological_ Robert Holt is utterly dominated and controlled by the Beetle through hypnosis and terror, becoming a helpless victim. ### [Percy Woodville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/percy_woodville) _psychological_ Percy Woodville is another victim of the Beetle's hypnotic power, used as a pawn in its schemes. ### [Mrs. Henderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/mrs_henderson) _psychological_ Mrs. Henderson is a landlady who becomes terrified and controlled by the Beetle when it lodges in her house. ### [Mr. Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/mr_stone) _psychological_ Mr. Stone is a scientist who becomes fascinated and then horrified by the Beetle's unnatural abilities. ### [Mr. Bellingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/mr_bellingham) _psychological_ Mr. Bellingham is a minor character who encounters the Beetle and is disturbed by its malevolent presence. ### [Sydney Atherton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/sydney_atherton) _rivalry_ Sydney Atherton and the Beetle are locked in a fierce, antagonistic struggle, with the Beetle seeking to destroy Atherton and those he protects. ### [Paul Lessingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/paul_lessingham) _psychological_ Paul Lessingham is the primary obsession and victim of the Beetle, who relentlessly pursues him due to a past connection in Egypt. ### [Mrs. Henderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/mrs_henderson) _psychological_ Mrs. Henderson is a landlady who becomes terrified and controlled by the Beetle when it lodges in her house. ## In the story ### [Book I: The House with the Open Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/book-i-the-house-with-the-open-window) The mysterious and terrifying creature that inhabits the house and exerts mind control over Holt. ### [Outside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/i-outside) Not physically present, but the open window Holt discovers foreshadows the creature's influence. ### [Inside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/ii-inside) The creature that climbs Holt's body with glowing eyes and spider-like legs, emitting a foetid odour. ### [III: The Man in the Bed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/iii-the-man-in-the-bed) The mysterious figure in the bed, described as supernaturally ugly with piercing eyes, who exerts absolute control over Holt. ### [A Lonely Vigil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/iv-a-lonely-vigil) Examines Holt, kisses him, leaves for the day, and returns at night to command him. ### [An Instruction to Commit Burglary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/v-an-instruction-to-commit-burglary) The Beetle exerts absolute power over Holt, issuing detailed instructions for the burglary and revealing an obsessive hatred for Paul Lessingham. ### [VI: A Singular Felony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/vi-a-singular-felony) Unseen but controlling Holt's actions from a distance, directing him to break into a house and steal documents. ### [VII: The Great Paul Lessingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/vii-the-great-paul-lessingham) Controls Holt, using him to confront Lessingham and invoking terror through the mere mention of its name, causing darkness and chaos. ### [The Man in the Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/viii-the-man-in-the-street) Implied presence as the force driving Holt's flight; Holt is fleeing from the creature's control. ### [IX: The Contents of the Packet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/ix-the-contents-of-the-packet) Reads Marjorie's letters to Lessingham, becoming demonically enraged and vowing revenge. ### [Book II: The Haunted Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/book-ii-the-haunted-man) The mysterious creature that terrorizes Holt and later Marjorie. ### [A Morning Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xii-a-morning-visitor) The mysterious visitor, a child of Isis, who demonstrates mesmeric power and offers to destroy Paul Lessingham. ### [The Picture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xiii-the-picture) The subject of the photogravure that terrifies Lessingham; linked to the supernatural transformation theme. ### [Magic?—Or Miracle?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xvii-magic-or-miracle) The mysterious stranger who revives Woodville using hypnotism; referred to as Paul Lessingham's friend. ### [XVIII: The Apotheosis of the Beetle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xviii-the-apotheosis-of-the-beetle) Transforms from a humanoid Oriental figure into a giant beetle and back; revealed to be female; escapes through the yard. ### [The Haunted Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxii-the-haunted-man) The droning sound and the picture of a beetle are associated with Lessingham's terror. ### [Book III: The Terror by Night and the Terror by Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/book-iii-the-terror-by-night-and-the-terror-by-day) The source of Marjorie's terror, haunting her both night and day. ### [XXVII: The Terror by Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxvii-the-terror-by-night) The source of Marjorie's terror: a large, winged beetle that buzzes around her room, alights on her bed, and creeps toward her head before she faints. ### [XXVIII: The Strange Story of the Man in the Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxviii-the-strange-story-of-the-man-in-the-street) The mysterious being Holt encountered; described as half-human, with a monstrous appearance, and capable of exerting hypnotic control over Holt. ### [XXIX: The House on the Road from the Workhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxix-the-house-on-the-road-from-the-workhouse) Not physically present but its influence is felt; Holt claims it prevents him from moving, and a buzzing sound is heard by Atherton and Marjorie. ### [XXXI: The Terror by Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxi-the-terror-by-day) The beetle creature is revealed to be hidden in the pile of rugs, emerging as a terrifying figure. ### [XXXIII: What Came of Looking Through a Lattice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxiii-what-came-of-looking-through-a-lattice) Appears as the monstrous beetle form of the woman after Lessingham attacks her; described as a huge, writhing nightmare creature. ### [After Twenty Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxiv-after-twenty-years) Implied as the source of Lessingham's past trauma and possibly the current intruder; referred to as 'the Woman of the Songs' and an emissary from the Rue de Rabagas. ### [A Bringer of Tidings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxv-a-bringer-of-tidings) Referenced as the 'Oriental friend' and 'infernal conjurer' who Atherton believes has taken Marjorie. ### [What Was Hidden Under the Floor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxvii-what-was-hidden-under-the-floor) Implied presence through the cabman's description of an old man in a burnoose-like cloak, and the mysterious disappearance of furniture. ### [Miss Louisa Coleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxix-miss-louisa-coleman) Implied to be the 'Arab party' Mohamed el Kheir who rented the house; described as having a terrifying face and voice, and associated with eerie nocturnal noises. ### [XL: What Miss Coleman Saw Through the Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xl-what-miss-coleman-saw-through-the-window) Referred to as the 'Arab party'; observed entering the house at seven and later leaving with a bundle. ### [XLI: The Constable—His Clue—and the Cab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xli-the-constable-his-clue-and-the-cab) The Arab seen by the constable with a large bundle; hypnotized both Holt and Marjorie, and is the subject of the investigation. ### [XLII: The Quarry Doubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xlii-the-quarry-doubles) Disguised as an Arab, purchases three tickets to Southampton and escapes with his companions, including Marjorie. ### [XLIII: The Murder at Mrs. ’Enderson’s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xliii-the-murder-at-mrs-enderson-s) Referred to as the 'diabolical Asiatic' and 'fiend incarnate,' suspected of carrying Marjorie in a bundle. ### [XLV: All That Mrs. ’Enderson Knew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xlv-all-that-mrs-enderson-knew) Referred to as the 'Harab party' who rented the room, brought a large bundle, and is suspected by Mrs. Henderson of murdering Holt before departing with the bundle. ### [The Sudden Stopping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xlvi-the-sudden-stopping) The pursued; an Arab-dressed figure with a bundle, seen boarding the Hull train with a young tramp. ### [XLVIII: The Conclusion of the Matter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xlviii-the-conclusion-of-the-matter) Its fate is uncertain; a desert explosion may have destroyed its lair, but its true nature and whereabouts remain a mystery. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/the_beetle - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters