# John Prinsep — The Brooklyn Murders character guide > John Prinsep in The Brooklyn Murders by G. D. H. Cole. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Prinsep, Mr. Prinsep, Mr. John Prinsep **First appearance:** 0002-iii-murder ## Snapshot The murdered man whose fingerprints on the club and letter in his own hand seem to prove he killed George Brooklyn—except that he is also dead. ## Who they are John Prinsep was Joan Cowper's suitor, a man Ellery cordially disliked, and the second victim found in the garden with evidence pointing both toward and away from him. The cigar-holder, the letter, and the fingerprints on the club all suggest he struck George Brooklyn down, yet the impossibility of mutual murder leaves Inspector Blaikie groaning over contradictory facts. His death is the hinge on which the whole puzzle turns: clearing him or condemning him determines which of the living suspects the police pursue. ## Relationships ### [Charis Lang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/charis_lang) _romantic_ Charis and John are secretly in love, but their relationship is complicated by family loyalties. ### [Walter Brooklyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/walter_brooklyn) _rivalry_ John and Walter are bitter rivals, both vying for control of the Brooklyn family legacy. ### [Joan Cowper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/joan_cowper) _professional_ Joan questions John as a suspect, but they share a mutual respect for each other's intelligence. ### [Sir Vernon Brooklyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/sir_vernon_brooklyn) _family_ John is Sir Vernon's illegitimate son, and their relationship is fraught with blackmail and manipulation. ### [Charis Lang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/charis_lang) _romantic_ Charis and John are secretly in love, but their relationship is complicated by family loyalties. ### [Walter Brooklyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/walter_brooklyn) _rivalry_ John and Walter are bitter rivals, both vying for control of the Brooklyn family legacy. ### [Joan Cowper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/joan_cowper) _professional_ Joan questions John as a suspect, but they share a mutual respect for each other's intelligence. ### [Sir Vernon Brooklyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/sir_vernon_brooklyn) _family_ John is Sir Vernon's illegitimate son, and their relationship is fraught with blackmail and manipulation. ## In the story ### [I: A Family Celebration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/i-a-family-celebration) Managing director of the Brooklyn Corporation; Sir Vernon's nephew and intended husband for Joan; in unusually good spirits at the dinner. ### [II: Sir Vernon’s Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/ii-sir-vernon-s-will) Named a residuary legatee; appears lighthearted during dinner but later broods alone in his study. ### [III: Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/iii-murder) Found dead in his study with a knife in his chest and a contusion on the back of his head. ### [IV: What Joan Found in the Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/iv-what-joan-found-in-the-garden) Found dead in his study; his cigar-holder is discovered near George's body. ### [Plain as a Pikestaff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/v-plain-as-a-pikestaff) Found murdered in his study; cause of death is a blow to the head, with a knife wound inflicted after death. ### [The Case Against Walter Brooklyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/vii-the-case-against-walter-brooklyn) Victim; Walter Brooklyn's stick found in his study; his murder is central to the case. ### [A Review of the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/viii-a-review-of-the-case) His fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, strongly suggesting he killed George Brooklyn, though Wilson notes it's not proof positive. ### [Walter Brooklyn’s Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/ix-walter-brooklyn-s-explanation) Mentioned as having been seen by Walter Brooklyn at the Piccadilly Theatre on Tuesday afternoon; his walking-stick was found in Prinsep's room. ### [X: Charis Lang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/x-charis-lang) The murdered man; his fingerprints on the club are discussed, and his role in refusing Walter's money demands is highlighted. ### [XII: Robert Ellery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xii-robert-ellery) One of the murder victims; Ellery disliked him and is relieved Joan will not marry him. ### [XVIII: The Case for the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xviii-the-case-for-the-defence) Murder victim, revealed to have been involved in an intrigue with a gardener's daughter at Fittleworth. ### [XIX: The Police Have Their Doubts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xix-the-police-have-their-doubts) Mentioned as the murder victim; his character and relationships are discussed as potential avenues for the defense. ### [XX: Superintendent Wilson Thinks It Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xx-superintendent-wilson-thinks-it-out) One of the murder victims; the walking-stick was found in his room, and Wilson considers how it got there. ### [A Fresh Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxiv-a-fresh-start) One of the murder victims; last seen in the garden before 11:15. ### [The Superintendent’s Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxviii-the-superintendent-s-theory) The note found near George Brooklyn's body was written by Prinsep, originally addressed to Woodman. ### [XXXI: A Button in a Bag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxxi-a-button-in-a-bag) His fingerprints on the club are discussed; he was seen handling the club before the murder. ### [An Afternoon Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxxvi-an-afternoon-call) Referenced as the first victim killed by Woodman. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/john_prinsep - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters