# Charles Cleaver — The Canary Murder Case character guide > Charles Cleaver in The Canary Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Cleaver, Cleaver, Charlie Cleaver **First appearance:** 0004-i-the-canary ## Snapshot A wealthy businessman and one of Margaret Odell's former lovers, whose name keeps surfacing in interrogations and whose connection to the Canary makes him an early suspect. ## Who they are Cleaver belongs to the circle of men the Canary cultivated—rich, useful, and ultimately disposable to her. His past intimacy with Odell makes him a natural target for Heath's inquiries, and Mannix's evasive references to him only deepen suspicion. He matters because he embodies the tangle of money, jealousy, and secrecy surrounding the victim, giving the investigation its first real threads to pull. ## Relationships ### [John F.-X. Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/john_f_x_markham) _professional_ Cleaver, a wealthy businessman and suspect, interacts with Markham primarily as a person of interest in the murder investigation. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _rivalry_ Cleaver is irritated by Vance's relentless questioning and subtle accusations, creating a tense adversarial relationship. ### [Louis Mannix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/louis_mannix) _social_ Cleaver and Mannix are acquaintances in the same social and theatrical circles, both connected to the victim. ### [Ernest Heath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/ernest_heath) _rivalry_ Heath suspects Cleaver of involvement in the murder, leading to sharp exchanges and mutual distrust. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _rivalry_ Cleaver is irritated by Vance's relentless questioning and subtle accusations, creating a tense adversarial relationship. ### [John F.-X. Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/john_f_x_markham) _professional_ Cleaver, a wealthy businessman and suspect, interacts with Markham primarily as a person of interest in the murder investigation. ### [John F.-X. Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/john_f_x_markham) _professional_ Cleaver, a wealthy businessman and suspect, interacts with Markham primarily as a person of interest in the murder investigation. ### [Ernest Heath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/ernest_heath) _rivalry_ Heath suspects Cleaver of involvement in the murder, leading to sharp exchanges and mutual distrust. ### [Ernest Heath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/ernest_heath) _rivalry_ Heath suspects Cleaver of involvement in the murder, leading to sharp exchanges and mutual distrust. ### [Louis Mannix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/louis_mannix) _social_ Cleaver and Mannix are acquaintances in the same social and theatrical circles, both connected to the victim. ### [Louis Mannix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/louis_mannix) _social_ Cleaver and Mannix are acquaintances in the same social and theatrical circles, both connected to the victim. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _rivalry_ Cleaver is irritated by Vance's relentless questioning and subtle accusations, creating a tense adversarial relationship. ## In the story ### [II: Footprints in the Snow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/ii-footprints-in-the-snow) Present as the narrator and observer of the conversation between Markham and Vance. ### [X: A Forced Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/x-a-forced-interview) A former lover of Margaret Odell who was blackmailed by her. Initially evasive, he eventually provides an alibi (speeding ticket) and names Doctor Lindquist as a possible source of information. ### [XII: Circumstantial Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/xii-circumstantial-evidence) Markham orders Heath to investigate his relations with Odell. ### [An Erstwhile Gallant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/xiii-an-erstwhile-gallant) Mentioned by Mannix as a possible blackmail victim, though Mannix denies specific knowledge. ### [Significant Disclosures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/xvi-significant-disclosures) Described by Alys La Fosse as 'Pop' and 'a good scout'; a friend of Margaret Odell. ### [Checking an Alibi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/xvii-checking-an-alibi) Arrives at the Stuyvesant Club; identified by the Boonton officer as not the man ticketed for speeding. ### [XX: A Midnight Witness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/xx-a-midnight-witness) Mentioned as being seen leaving the building at midnight; Markham orders his arrest. ### [XXI: A Contradiction in Dates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/xxi-a-contradiction-in-dates) Initially defiant, he eventually confesses to visiting Odell's apartment, hearing a man's voice, and meeting Doctor Lindquist outside. ### [An Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/xxiv-an-arrest) Mentioned as one of the men Heath eliminated as suspects. ### [A Game of Poker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/xxvii-a-game-of-poker) Participates in the poker game and discussion, speaking bitterly about his involvement in the case. ### [XXVIII: The Guilty Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/xxviii-the-guilty-man) Eliminated as a suspect because he bet on a sure-thing, showing lack of the supreme gambler's self-confidence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters/charles_cleaver - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/characters