# Tom Mortlake — The Big Bow Mystery character guide > Tom Mortlake in The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mortlake, Tom **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot A magnetic young labor leader whose rise from the workbench has made him the idol of Bow, and whose romance with Jessie Dymond complicates his public life. ## Who they are Mortlake commands a crowd with the ease of a born orator, and his friendship with the murdered Arthur Constant has made him the natural heir to Bow's working-class hopes. But his ambitions, his love for Jessie Dymond, and his habit of keeping his own counsel leave him dangerously exposed when the police begin to look his way. His supreme moment at the unveiling turns him from celebrated speaker into suspect before the whole hall. ## Relationships ### [Denzil Cantercot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/denzil_cantercot) _social_ They are acquaintances connected through the lodging house and the murder case, with no deep bond. ### [Peter Crowl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/peter_crowl) _friendship_ Crowl and Mortlake share a friendly rapport, often discussing the case and local gossip. ### [Edward Wimp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/edward_wimp) _professional_ Wimp interrogates Mortlake as a suspect and witness, maintaining a formal detective-subject relationship. ### [Mrs. Drabdump](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/mrs_drabdump) _social_ Mrs. Drabdump knows Mortlake as a fellow lodger and local figure, with no particular closeness. ### [Jessie Dymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/jessie_dymond) _family_ Jessie Dymond is Tom Mortlake's sister, sharing a close sibling bond. ### [Arthur Constant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/arthur_constant) _friendship_ Arthur and Tom are friendly acquaintances, with Tom unaware of Arthur's secret romance with his sister. ### [Denzil Cantercot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/denzil_cantercot) _social_ They are acquaintances connected through the lodging house and the murder case, with no deep bond. ### [Peter Crowl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/peter_crowl) _friendship_ Crowl and Mortlake share a friendly rapport, often discussing the case and local gossip. ### [Edward Wimp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/edward_wimp) _professional_ Wimp interrogates Mortlake as a suspect and witness, maintaining a formal detective-subject relationship. ### [Mrs. Drabdump](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/mrs_drabdump) _social_ Mrs. Drabdump knows Mortlake as a fellow lodger and local figure, with no particular closeness. ### [Jessie Dymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/jessie_dymond) _family_ Jessie Dymond is Tom Mortlake's sister, sharing a close sibling bond. ### [Mrs. Drabdump](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/mrs_drabdump) _social_ Mrs. Drabdump knows Mortlake as a fellow lodger and local figure, with no particular closeness. ## In the story ### [The Big Bow Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/the-big-bow-mystery) A lodger who is absent and becomes a person of interest in the investigation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as having left early for Devonport; his room shows he only lay down in his clothes. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/ii) Arrested in Liverpool on suspicion but released; gives an interview blaming police enmity; subpoenaed to appear at the inquest. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/v) Mentioned by Peter Crowl as having denounced Arthur Constant in the shop. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/vi) Discussed as the prime suspect; his missing sweetheart Jessie Dymond is the focus of Denzil's information. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/vii) Visits Crowl's house briefly, testily denies knowledge of Constant's murder, and leaves in a bad mood. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/viii) Works hard but appears jaded; he is present at the unveiling and is arrested by Wimp for Constant's murder. ### [The Riot at the Unveiling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/ix) Arrested by Wimp during the ceremony, delivers a speech, and escapes during the riot. ### [The Trial of Tom Mortlake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/x) The defendant on trial for murder, convicted and sentenced to death. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/xi) Condemned to death, refuses to see clergymen, and professes respect for Arthur Constant's memory. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as the condemned man Grodman seeks to save through his confession. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters/tom_mortlake - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/characters