# Robert Ellery — The Brooklyn Murders character guide > Robert Ellery in The Brooklyn Murders by G. D. H. Cole. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ellery, young Ellery, Sir Vernon Robert Ellery **First appearance:** 0000-i-a-family-celebration ## Snapshot A detective novelist who suddenly finds himself inside a real murder case, torn between genuine grief and the irresistible pull of an unsolved puzzle. ## Who they are Robert Ellery has long distrusted Prinsep, liked George Brooklyn, and now stands to inherit Liskeard House and the Brooklyn Corporation if the family's fortunes shift his way. Engaged to Joan Cowper and gently prodded by his guardian Lucas to 'do a bit of detective work on your own account,' he cannot help treating the tragedy as material. His novelist's instinct for plot makes him both useful and suspect—he wants the truth, but he also wants the story. ## Relationships ### [Joan Cowper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/joan_cowper) _romantic_ Joan and Robert share a deep romantic bond, often confiding in each other amidst the murder investigation. ### [Carter Woodman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/carter_woodman) _friendship_ Carter and Robert are old friends who often share information and support each other's investigations. ### [Walter Brooklyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/walter_brooklyn) _rivalry_ Robert suspects Walter of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game with him. ### [Sir John Bunnery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/sir_john_bunnery) _professional_ Robert consults Sir John, a forensic expert, to analyze evidence in the murder case. ### [Carter Woodman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/carter_woodman) _friendship_ Carter and Robert are old friends who often share information and support each other's investigations. ### [Joan Cowper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/joan_cowper) _romantic_ Joan and Robert share a deep romantic bond, often confiding in each other amidst the murder investigation. ### [Sir John Bunnery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/sir_john_bunnery) _professional_ Robert consults Sir John, a forensic expert, to analyze evidence in the murder case. ### [Walter Brooklyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/walter_brooklyn) _rivalry_ Robert suspects Walter of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game with him. ### [Joan Cowper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/joan_cowper) _romantic_ Joan and Robert share a deep romantic bond, often confiding in each other amidst the murder investigation. ### [Sir John Bunnery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/sir_john_bunnery) _professional_ Robert consults Sir John, a forensic expert, to analyze evidence in the murder case. ### [Carter Woodman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/carter_woodman) _friendship_ Carter and Robert are old friends who often share information and support each other's investigations. ### [Walter Brooklyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/walter_brooklyn) _rivalry_ Robert suspects Walter of murder and engages in a tense cat-and-mouse game with him. ## In the story ### [I: A Family Celebration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/i-a-family-celebration) Harry Lucas's ward and a rising writer; in love with Joan Cowper and a rival to John Prinsep. ### [II: Sir Vernon’s Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/ii-sir-vernon-s-will) A guest who takes little part in the forced cheerfulness; walks home through the parks. ### [A Pause for Reflection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/vi-a-pause-for-reflection) He left the house soon after ten, intending to walk to his Chelsea room. The inspector decides to follow his trail as a loose end. ### [XII: Robert Ellery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xii-robert-ellery) Struggles with his love for Joan and decides to visit her; questioned by Inspector Gibbs about his alibi. ### [An Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xiii-an-arrest) Sits with Joan at the inquest; watches the proceedings and Walter's reaction. ### [Mainly a Love Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xiv-mainly-a-love-scene) Ellery visits Joan, confesses his love, and agrees to help her. He is also under police suspicion due to his lack of alibi on the night of the murder. ### [XV: To and Fro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xv-to-and-fro) Searches for Walter Brooklyn; obtains permit for Joan to visit Brooklyn; clears his own alibi by finding William Gloucester; has police surveillance lifted; becomes engaged to Joan. ### [A Link in the Chain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xvi-a-link-in-the-chain) Creates a map of Walter's journey and interviews a night watchman who provides a key alibi witness. ### [The Lovely Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xvii-the-lovely-lady) Ellery undertakes the search for Kitty in Leicester Square, feeling out of his depth, and later enlists Will Jaxon's help. ### [Don Quixote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxi-don-quixote) Ellery leads the investigation alongside Joan, using his wits to find the Spaniard and gather evidence. ### [The Spaniard Does His Bit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxii-the-spaniard-does-his-bit) Meets the Spaniard, secures alibi witnesses, and arranges the morning meeting at Thomas's office. ### [Walter Brooklyn Goes Free](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxiii-walter-brooklyn-goes-free) Assists Joan in proving the alibi and agrees to help her investigate the true criminal. ### [A Fresh Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxiv-a-fresh-start) Collaborates with Joan to uncover the truth, questioning the reliability of witness sightings. ### [XXV: Raising the Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxv-raising-the-wind) Mentioned as having worked with Joan to prove Walter's alibi and clear him. ### [Robert Ellery’s Idea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxvii-robert-ellery-s-idea) Wakes with the conviction that Carter Woodman is the murderer; develops a theory based on motive and false alibis; enlists Joan's help to investigate. ### [XXIX: The Lie of the Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxix-the-lie-of-the-land) Conducts a thorough investigation of the Cunningham Hotel to test Woodman's alibi and interviews Ba Pu. ### [A Letter and Its Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxx-a-letter-and-its-consequences) Brings news of his investigation to Joan; agrees to continue pursuing proof against Woodman. ### [XXXI: A Button in a Bag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxxi-a-button-in-a-bag) Discovers George Brooklyn's hat and coat in a cloakroom; connects the button to the handbag; discusses fingerprints with Joan. ### [Sir John Bunnery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxxii-sir-john-bunnery) Visits Sir John Bunnery under the guise of arranging Sir Vernon's will, but seeks information about Woodman's loan attempt. ### [On the Tiles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxxiii-on-the-tiles) Alibi confirmed by William Gloucester; no longer a suspect. ### [The Stable-Yard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-stable-yard) Accompanies Joan in the investigation; reports Sir John Bunnery's information about Woodman's financial troubles; suggests confronting Woodman. ### [An Order for Bulbs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxxv-an-order-for-bulbs) Accompanies Joan to Woodman's office. ### [An Afternoon Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxxvi-an-afternoon-call) Assists Joan in the confrontation, physically disarms Woodman during the struggle. ### [A Happy Ending](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-happy-ending) Collaborates with Joan and Superintendent Wilson to reveal the truth; becomes managing director of the Brooklyn Corporation and writes a play for Marian. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters/robert_ellery - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/characters