# Martin Thorn — The Chinese Parrot character guide

> Martin Thorn in The Chinese Parrot by Earl Derr Biggers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Thorn, Martin, Mr. Thorn

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-phillimore-pearls

## Who they are

Madden's meagre-faced secretary, wary at the door until he hears the words Post Street, then suddenly eager to welcome the expected messenger.

## Relationships

### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden)

_professional_

Martin Thorn is P. J. Madden's loyal but suspicious secretary, handling his affairs with a mix of deference and hidden motives.

### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden)

_rivalry_

Bob Eden and Martin Thorn are antagonists, with Thorn's secretive behavior and hostility creating tension and suspicion.

### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan)

_rivalry_

Charlie Chan and Martin Thorn are adversaries, with Chan suspecting Thorn of involvement in the crime and Thorn resisting Chan's inquiries.

### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden)

_rivalry_

Bob Eden and Martin Thorn are antagonists, with Thorn's secretive behavior and hostility creating tension and suspicion.

### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden)

_professional_

Martin Thorn is P. J. Madden's loyal but suspicious secretary, handling his affairs with a mix of deference and hidden motives.

### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan)

_rivalry_

Charlie Chan and Martin Thorn are adversaries, with Chan suspecting Thorn of involvement in the crime and Thorn resisting Chan's inquiries.

### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden)

_professional_

Martin Thorn is P. J. Madden's loyal but suspicious secretary, handling his affairs with a mix of deference and hidden motives.

### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden)

_rivalry_

Bob Eden and Martin Thorn are antagonists, with Thorn's secretive behavior and hostility creating tension and suspicion.

### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan)

_rivalry_

Charlie Chan and Martin Thorn are adversaries, with Chan suspecting Thorn of involvement in the crime and Thorn resisting Chan's inquiries.

## In the story

### [I: The Phillimore Pearls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/i-the-phillimore-pearls)

Madden's secretary; he is pale and disconcerting, and suggests the pearls be delivered to Pasadena.

### [IV: The Oasis Special](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/iv-the-oasis-special)

Madden's secretary, described as pale and excited, who rudely refused Paula Wendell entry to the ranch.

### [Madden's Ranch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/v-madden-s-ranch)

Madden's secretary, appears pale and trembling when handling the parrot, suggesting nervousness.

### [VI: Tony's Happy New Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vi-tony-s-happy-new-year)

Assists Madden with the interview and commands Chan to stay away from the parrot.

### [A Friendly Little Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/viii-a-friendly-little-game)

Secretary who knows Maydorf, shows discomfort at his arrival, and is implicated by the hidden gun.

### [IX: A Ride in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/ix-a-ride-in-the-dark)

Buries a can that held arsenic, warns Eden about Madden's temper, appears at the murder scene with a torn coat.

### [Bliss of the Homicide Squad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/x-bliss-of-the-homicide-squad)

Exchanges hostile words with Madden over Louie's body; Eden suspects him of the murder.

### [XI: Thorn Goes on a Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xi-thorn-goes-on-a-mission)

Sent to Eldorado to meet Evelyn Madden's train, wearing a black suit to replace the one torn the previous night.

### [XIV: The Third Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xiv-the-third-man)

Accompanies Madden to Pasadena; his room contains the bullet-hole from the shooting.

### [In Madden's Footsteps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xvii-in-madden-s-footsteps)

Accompanied Madden to the bank and is involved in Madden's secretive activities.

### [End of the Postman's Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xxi-end-of-the-postman-s-journey)

Assists Madden/Delaney and is ordered to bind the wounded hand; later handcuffed by the sheriff.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/martin_thorn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters