# Edward Wimp — The Big Bow Mystery character guide

> Edward Wimp in The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Edward Wimp, Mr. Wimp, Wimp

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

A shrewd, methodical Scotland Yard detective who means to solve the Bow murder his own way, even if it means outmaneuvering the retired Grodman.

## Who they are

Wimp is the professional on the case, dogged and certain of his methods, and he treats the investigation as both duty and contest. His rivalry with Grodman sharpens every clue into a point of pride, and his instinct for the dramatic gesture sometimes outruns his judgment. When he lays a hand on Tom Mortlake's shoulder in front of a packed hall, he commits the blunder that reshapes the case.

## Relationships

### [Denzil Cantercot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/denzil_cantercot)

_rivalry_

Wimp suspects Cantercot of the murder and relentlessly pursues him, creating a tense adversarial dynamic.

### [Tom Mortlake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/tom_mortlake)

_professional_

Wimp interrogates Mortlake as a suspect and witness, maintaining a formal detective-subject relationship.

### [Arthur Constant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/arthur_constant)

_professional_

Wimp investigates Arthur Constant as a potential victim and later as a suspect, maintaining a formal detective-subject dynamic.

### [Tom Mortlake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/tom_mortlake)

_professional_

Wimp interrogates Mortlake as a suspect and witness, maintaining a formal detective-subject relationship.

### [Denzil Cantercot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/denzil_cantercot)

_rivalry_

Wimp suspects Cantercot of the murder and relentlessly pursues him, creating a tense adversarial dynamic.

### [Denzil Cantercot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/denzil_cantercot)

_rivalry_

Wimp suspects Cantercot of the murder and relentlessly pursues him, creating a tense adversarial dynamic.

### [Arthur Constant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/arthur_constant)

_professional_

Wimp investigates Arthur Constant as a potential victim and later as a suspect, maintaining a formal detective-subject dynamic.

### [Tom Mortlake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/tom_mortlake)

_professional_

Wimp interrogates Mortlake as a suspect and witness, maintaining a formal detective-subject relationship.

## In the story

### [The Big Bow Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/the-big-bow-mystery)

A detective from Scotland Yard who is assigned to investigate the murder.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as the detective who arrests Mortlake at the ceremony later; not directly present in this chapter.

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

Scotland Yard detective; states that Constant's papers offer no clues and that his department has no theory.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/iv)

Writes a critical letter under the pseudonym 'Scotland Yard,' attacking Grodman's public letter; Grodman identifies him and scoffs.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/vi)

Receives Denzil at his home; sharp, sarcastic, and already aware of Denzil's background and writings.

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

Hosts Christmas dinner, attempts to pump Grodman for information, and later visits Constant's grave where he finds Mrs. Drabdump.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/viii)

Disguised as the new lodger, he quietly observes Mortlake and later arrests him at the unveiling ceremony.

### [The Riot at the Unveiling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/ix)

Attempts to arrest Mortlake, but the crowd turns against him; his plan fails.

### [The Trial of Tom Mortlake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/x)

The detective who built the case against Mortlake and secured the conviction.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/xi)

Referenced as having arrested Mortlake and being praised as the 'mystery man' of Scotland Yard.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/xii)

Criticized by Grodman for blundering into the wrong track and achieving undeserved reputation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/edward_wimp
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters