The Benson Murder Case · Character

Muriel St. Clair

A singer of strong character and deep reserves who dined alone with Alvin Benson the night he died, and whose lost gloves and handbag were found in his house.

supporting

Also known as Miss St. Clair, St. Clair, Muriel, the delightful Miss St. Clair

First appearance: III: A Lady's Handbag

As a supporting figure in The Benson Murder Case, Muriel St. Clair is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Becomes a suspect after a lady's handbag and gloves are found near the body, suggesting a woman was involved.

In the storyThe Benson Murder CaseOpen this moment free

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Muriel St. Clair is an independent artist who had been losing money through Benson's firm and suspected he was engineering her losses on purpose. Her resentment of his attitude that final evening drove her to abandon his car at Times Square and walk home alone, dropping her belongings in her haste. Captain Leacock's chivalrous silence on her behalf makes her the emotional hinge of the early case — a woman the District Attorney reads as a suspect and Vance reads as a wronged client.

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The fuller portrait of Muriel St. Clair sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Muriel St. Clair in III: A Lady's Handbag

Character Web

19 connections

A slice of how Muriel St. Clair sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Social
Other

Character groups

Core Investigation Team
Peripheral Witnesses

+14 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it presents the most intense psychological confrontation yet: C…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

John Markham
professional · ambivalent
Markham questions Muriel St. How this plays out →
Philo Vance
social · ambivalent
Alvin Benson
romantic · negative
Philo Vance
social · ambivalent
John Markham
professional · ambivalent
Markham questions Muriel St. How this plays out →
Philo Vance
social · ambivalent
Alvin Benson
romantic · negative
John Markham
professional · ambivalent
Markham questions Muriel St. How this plays out →
Alvin Benson
romantic · negative

John Markham
Markham questions Muriel St. Clair, a socialite and possible romantic interest of the victim, as part of the murder investigation.
Philo Vance
Muriel St. Clair is a sophisticated acquaintance of Vance, and her connection to the victim makes her a person of interest in the case.
Alvin Benson
Alvin Benson was romantically pursuing Muriel St. Clair, though she was repulsed by his advances and his blackmailing nature.
Philo Vance
Muriel St. Clair is a sophisticated acquaintance of Vance, and her connection to the victim makes her a person of interest in the case.
John Markham
Markham questions Muriel St. Clair, a socialite and possible romantic interest of the victim, as part of the murder investigation.
Philo Vance
Muriel St. Clair is a sophisticated acquaintance of Vance, and her connection to the victim makes her a person of interest in the case.
Alvin Benson
Alvin Benson was romantically pursuing Muriel St. Clair, though she was repulsed by his advances and his blackmailing nature.
John Markham
Markham questions Muriel St. Clair, a socialite and possible romantic interest of the victim, as part of the murder investigation.
Alvin Benson
Alvin Benson was romantically pursuing Muriel St. Clair, though she was repulsed by his advances and his blackmailing nature.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Muriel St. Clair in III: A Lady's Handbag

In the story

Muriel St. Clair appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Benson Murder Case
Becomes a suspect after a lady's handbag and gloves are found near the body, suggesting a woman was involved.
III: A Lady's Handbag
Implied owner of the handbag monogrammed 'M. St.C.'; not yet formally introduced.
VI: Vance Offers an Opinion
Implied as the woman Markham suspects; Vance insists she is innocent and that no woman could have committed the crime.
VII: Reports and an Interview
The suspect interviewed; she remains evasive, playful, and composed, even when confronted with evidence.
Vance Accepts a Challenge
Vance insists on her innocence, prompting the challenge from Markham.
X: Eliminating a Suspect
Revealed to have visited Benson on the afternoon of the murder; Vance insists she is innocent and that no woman committed the crime.
The Owner of a Colt-.45
Referenced during the interrogation as having dined with Benson and left her handbag at his apartment.
The Grey Cadillac
Described by Ostrander as a strong, deep, and capable woman who might take desperate measures; she dined alone with Benson on the night of the murder.
Admissions and Suppressions
Refuses to answer Phelps's questions and is overheard telling Leacock that they know he took the pistol.
XX: A Lady Explains
Explains the presence of her gloves and handbag at Benson's house, her dinner invitation, and her midnight curfew; shows concern for Captain Leacock.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Muriel St. Clair unlock in the free preview.

See Muriel St. Clair in III: A Lady's Handbag

See Muriel St. Clair in The Benson Murder Case