Philo Vance

John F.-X. Markham

Markham, the district attorney, relies heavily on Vance's brilliant but unorthodox investigative insights, forming a close professional friendship.

Ernest Heath

Heath is often frustrated by Vance's intellectual arrogance and interference in police procedures, creating a tense but grudgingly respectful rivalry.

Margaret Odell

Vance subjects Odell to intense psychological scrutiny during interrogations, sensing she is hiding crucial information.

Louis Mannix

Mannix resents Vance's probing questions and superior intellect, leading to a sharp adversarial dynamic during the investigation.

Tony Skeel

Vance manipulates and outmaneuvers Skeel in a battle of wits, treating him as a psychological puzzle to be solved.

Charles Cleaver

Cleaver is irritated by Vance's relentless questioning and subtle accusations, creating a tense adversarial relationship.

Spotswoode

Spotswoode serves Vance with flawless loyalty and discretion, acting as his trusted household manager and occasional assistant.

Doctor Lindquist

Lindquist respects Vance's intellect and cooperates with him, though he finds Vance's methods unorthodox.

John F.-X. Markham

Markham, the district attorney, relies heavily on Vance's brilliant but unorthodox investigative insights, forming a close professional friendship.

Margaret Odell

Vance subjects Odell to intense psychological scrutiny during interrogations, sensing she is hiding crucial information.

Tony Skeel

Vance manipulates and outmaneuvers Skeel in a battle of wits, treating him as a psychological puzzle to be solved.

John F.-X. Markham

Markham, the district attorney, relies heavily on Vance's brilliant but unorthodox investigative insights, forming a close professional friendship.

Introductory

Central character and amateur detective whose analytical methods solve crimes; narrator's constant companion.

Characters of the Book

Listed as a central character in the book.

The Canary Murder Case

Amateur detective brought in by Markham to apply his psychological insights to the case.

I: The "Canary"

A young social aristocrat and amateur detective, secretly responsible for solving many of Markham's cases.

II: Footprints in the Snow

Argues against reliance on circumstantial evidence, advocating psychological analysis of crime instead.

III: The Murder

Roused from bed; shows interest in the case and accompanies Markham to the crime scene.

IV: The Print of a Hand

Observes the investigation with keen interest, questions Doctor Doremus about the torn dress, and draws attention to the suspicious condition of the closet.

The Bolted Door

Observes the Boucher painting, makes cynical comments, and suggests the fingerprints may be irrelevant. He listens to the testimonies with amusement.

VI: A Call for Help

Observes the interrogation and asks a pointed question about Jessup's feelings toward Odell.

VII: A Nameless Visitor

Offers sardonic commentary on the visitor's attire and proposes the theory of two men being involved.

VIII: The Invisible Murderer

Offers sardonic commentary on the lack of evidence and suggests the case may require an 'astral plane' approach.

IX: The Pack in Full Cry

Expresses skepticism about Skeel's guilt based on character, accompanies Markham to the Criminal Courts building, and critiques routine investigative methods.

X: A Forced Interview

Present at the dinner and interview; makes skeptical observations about Cleaver's demeanor and suggests interviewing Doctor Lindquist.

XI: Seeking Information

Observes Lindquist's behavior and physiognomy, later providing a psychological analysis; also intervenes to prevent a physical confrontation.

XII: Circumstantial Evidence

Begins active cooperation in the case; uses psychological tactics to unsettle Skeel during questioning.

An Erstwhile Gallant

Explains his theory that Skeel witnessed the murder from a closet, and analyzes Mannix's evasiveness.

XIV: Vance Outlines a Theory

Presents his aesthetic theory of the murder, arguing it is a staged, artificial crime rather than a genuine robbery.

Four Possibilities

Argues against Skeel's guilt, proposes a psychological profile of the murderer, and decides to investigate alone.

Significant Disclosures

Leads the investigation by tracking down Alys La Fosse using a photograph; cleverly gains her trust and extracts information about Mannix's alibi and Cleaver's character.

Checking an Alibi

Exults in his sleuthing progress, shares revelations about Cleaver, Mannix, and Lindquist, and plans to attend the Scandals.

XVIII: The Trap

Visits Alys La Fosse to reassure her and cleverly exposes her lie about Mannix's alibi; later urges Markham to pressure Mannix.

The Doctor Explains

Interrogates Lindquist, puts him on guard about the night nurse, and later explains his strategy to Markham and Heath.

XX: A Midnight Witness

Directs the interrogation, protects Alys La Fosse's secret, and reveals Mannix's visit to Miss Frisbee.

XXI: A Contradiction in Dates

Interrogates Cleaver about the timeline and his mention of Doctor Lindquist, deducing a connection between Cleaver's street-walking and Lindquist.

XXII: A Telephone Call

Proposes theories about multiple visitors, examines the newspaper wrapping the jewels, and anticipates Skeel's call.

XXIII: The Ten O'Clock Appointment

Calm and observant at first, then suddenly realizes Skeel has been murdered; leads the group to Skeel's room.

An Arrest

Amused by newspaper accounts, then vehemently opposes Heath's arrest of Jessup and insists on demonstrating his own theory.

XXV: Vance Demonstrates

Leads the demonstration, showing how Skeel manipulated the door bolt.

XXVI: Reconstructing the Crime

Presents a vivid reconstruction of the crime, detailing Skeel's hidden observation and the murderer's actions.

A Game of Poker

Hosts the poker game, demonstrates psychological insight by folding four aces, and later engages Mannix in a high-stakes card-cutting bet.

XXVIII: The Guilty Man

Explains his psychological deduction that Spotswoode is the murderer, based on the poker game behavior.

XXIX: Beethoven's "Andante"

Presents his full theory of the crime, including the phonograph record trick and Skeel's blackmail; returns to the apartment to inspect the scene and finds the towel used to wipe fingerprints.

XXX: The End

Observes the arrest with detached irony, intercedes to allow Spotswoode privacy, and defends the suicide as a man's right.

Endnotes

Vance edited and corrected the preceding paragraphs, and his theories are presented in his own words.