# George Grodman — The Big Bow Mystery character guide

> George Grodman in The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Grodman, Mr. George Grodman

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

A retired detective with a Mephistophelian glitter in his eye, he cannot resist inserting himself into the Bow murder he no longer has any official right to solve.

## Who they are

Grodman has left the force but not the game, and his rivalry with the younger detective Wimp gives the investigation a second, unofficial engine. He watches the case with a mocking half-smile, almost kindly toward suspects one moment and merciless the next, as if the puzzle matters more to him than justice. His private certainty about who killed Arthur Constant drives the early hunt and quietly shapes everything that follows.

## In the story

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

A retired detective who takes an interest in the case and offers to solve the mystery.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/i)

Retired ex-detective living across the street; initially skeptical but becomes serious after examining the locked door.

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

Testifies at the inquest, describing finding the body warm and the door bolted and locked; his book 'Criminals I Have Caught' gains new editions.

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

Former detective; his evidence about the body's warmth and the bolted door is cited by the coroner.

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

Writes a public letter offering to solve the mystery, criticizes Scotland Yard, and claims Constant as a friend. Later reads Wimp's critical response with annoyance.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/v)

Teases Denzil about his writer's cramp and the epic poem, discusses the murder and the book 'Criminals I Have Caught'.

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

Denzil visits him at 46 Glover Street; claims he can lay his hand on the murderer but needs proof.

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

Dines with Wimp at Christmas, feigning naivety about Denzil Cantercot while secretly manipulating Wimp.

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

Attends the unveiling and tracks Denzil, intending to delay his arrest for a more thrilling moment.

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

Observes the scene with amusement, feeling vindicated by Wimp's blunder.

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

Observes the trial with satisfaction, feeling like 'a whipped cur' after the verdict.

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

Leads the public campaign to save Mortlake, writes letters to the press, and confronts Denzil about his treachery.

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

Confesses to the murder of Arthur Constant, explaining his scientific method and his reasons for revealing the truth.

## Links

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