Joan Cowper

Robert Ellery

Joan and Robert share a deep romantic bond, often confiding in each other amidst the murder investigation.

Carter Woodman

Carter is Joan's trusted colleague and fellow detective, working closely to solve the murders.

Sir Vernon Brooklyn

Joan interviews Sir Vernon as a key witness and potential suspect in the Brooklyn family case.

Walter Brooklyn

Joan and Walter are locked in a battle of wits, each trying to outmaneuver the other in the murder inquiry.

Charis Lang

Charis and Joan develop a cautious friendship as Joan tries to earn Charis's trust.

John Prinsep

Joan questions John as a suspect, but they share a mutual respect for each other's intelligence.

Carter Woodman

Carter is Joan's trusted colleague and fellow detective, working closely to solve the murders.

Charis Lang

Charis and Joan develop a cautious friendship as Joan tries to earn Charis's trust.

Robert Ellery

Joan and Robert share a deep romantic bond, often confiding in each other amidst the murder investigation.

Carter Woodman

Carter is Joan's trusted colleague and fellow detective, working closely to solve the murders.

Walter Brooklyn

Joan and Walter are locked in a battle of wits, each trying to outmaneuver the other in the murder inquiry.

Robert Ellery

Joan and Robert share a deep romantic bond, often confiding in each other amidst the murder investigation.

I: A Family Celebration

Hostess and stepdaughter of Walter Brooklyn; resists Sir Vernon's plan to marry her to John Prinsep and seeks Harry Lucas's help.

II: Sir Vernon’s Will

Publicly refuses to marry John Prinsep despite Sir Vernon's implied expectation, later discusses the evening with Mary Woodman.

IV: What Joan Found in the Garden

Discovers both Prinsep's and George Brooklyn's bodies; breaks the news to Sir Vernon; identifies the cigar-holder.

Plain as a Pikestaff

Identifies George Brooklyn's body and the crushed cigar-holder belonging to John Prinsep.

A Pause for Reflection

She discovered George Brooklyn's body in the garden. Her movements are accounted for: she sat with Mary Woodman until eleven, then went to bed.

A Review of the Case

Mentioned as the first discoverer of George Brooklyn's body; she did not notice or handle the weapon.

XI: Joan Takes Up the Case

Resolves to clear her stepfather Walter Brooklyn; interviews Carter Woodman and decides to investigate the murders herself.

XII: Robert Ellery

Object of Ellery's love; her repudiation of Prinsep gives Ellery hope.

An Arrest

Present at the inquest with Ellery; observes Walter's changing demeanor and the trap set by the police.

Mainly a Love Scene

Joan seeks Ellery's help to clear her stepfather Walter Brooklyn of murder suspicion. She and Ellery declare their love and plan a campaign to prove Walter's innocence.

XV: To and Fro

Anxious about Walter Brooklyn's disappearance; attends the inquest; passes a note to Brooklyn; later visits him in jail with a permit obtained by Ellery; reveals her engagement to Ellery.

A Link in the Chain

Works with Ellery to map Walter's movements and visits him in custody, convinced of his innocence.

Don Quixote

Joan actively participates in the investigation, helping to trace her stepfather's alibi and questioning witnesses.

The Spaniard Does His Bit

Anxiously awaits Ellery's news, shares her doubts about her stepfather, and insists on attending the meeting despite exhaustion.

Walter Brooklyn Goes Free

Leads the effort to prove Walter's alibi, refuses to visit him in prison, and decides to find the real murderer with Ellery.

A Fresh Start

Plans with Ellery to investigate everyone who was at Liskeard House on the night of the murders.

XXV: Raising the Wind

Questioned by Inspector Blaikie about the rumor of Walter's confession; she denies it and expresses indignation.

Robert Ellery’s Idea

Spends the night thinking but reaches no solution; is horrified by Ellery's suspicion of Woodman but agrees to help find proof.

XXIX: The Lie of the Land

Ellery plans to inform her of his findings to convince her of Woodman's guilt.

A Letter and Its Consequences

Discovers the letter from Sir John Bunnery and reads it to Sir Vernon, then writes the new will as dictated.

XXXI: A Button in a Bag

Searches Woodman's rooms and office; theorizes about the hiding place of evidence; resolves to prove Woodman's entry into Liskeard House.

Sir John Bunnery

Arranges the pretext for Ellery's visit and is engaged to Ellery.

The Stable-Yard

Investigates the coach-yard to determine how Woodman entered the house; discovers Norah as a witness.

An Order for Bulbs

Arrives at Woodman's office with Ellery, unaware of the police surveillance.

An Afternoon Call

Confronts Woodman, detailing his crimes and offering him a chance to flee.

A Happy Ending

Reluctantly agrees to tell the full story at the inquest; later marries Ellery and becomes a successful playwright.