# Mr. Jamieson — The Circular Staircase character guide > Mr. Jamieson in The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Jamieson, that Jamieson, Mr. В Jamieson, Mr. В **First appearance:** 0001-ii-a-link-cuff-button ## Snapshot The courteous detective who snaps his notebook shut, cracks dry jokes about undertakers, and suspects everyone—including the family. ## Who they are Mr. Jamieson arrives at Sunnyside with professional calm and a disarming smile, patiently interrogating servants while quietly cataloguing the lies of his social betters. He is certain Arnold Armstrong was admitted from within the house, and he says so plainly, even when it means accusing Gertrude to her aunt's face. His sparring with Rachel—she withholds, he probes—drives the investigation forward and makes him the story's cool, unsettling counterweight to her amateur sleuthing. ## Relationships ### [Gertrude Innes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/gertrude_innes) _friendship_ Gertrude and Mr. Jamieson cooperate as allies in the investigation, with a respectful and helpful dynamic. ### [Gertrude Innes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/gertrude_innes) _friendship_ Gertrude and Mr. Jamieson cooperate as allies in the investigation, with a respectful and helpful dynamic. ### [Gertrude Innes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/gertrude_innes) _friendship_ Gertrude and Mr. Jamieson cooperate as allies in the investigation, with a respectful and helpful dynamic. ## In the story ### [Where Is Halsey?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/iv-where-is-halsey) Not directly present in this chapter; referenced as a detective figure in the broader context. ### [V: Gertrude's Engagement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/v-gertrude-s-engagement) The younger detective who conducts the interrogation, notes the charred cigar and cigarette, and presses Gertrude for details about the night of the murder. ### [VI: In the East Corridor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/vi-in-the-east-corridor) The detective investigates the grounds, examines Arnold Armstrong's effects, and later locks a suspect in a small room that turns out to be the clothes chute. ### [VII: A Sprained Ankle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/vii-a-sprained-ankle) Leads the attempt to force the laundry room door and examines the escape route. ### [VIII: The Other Half of the Line](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/viii-the-other-half-of-the-line) Leads the interrogation, reveals the theory that Armstrong was admitted from within, and obtains the other half of the cufflink from Thomas. ### [IX: Just Like a Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/ix-just-like-a-girl) Referenced as the detective who suspects Gertrude and Halsey of knowledge about the murder. ### [X: The Traders’ Bank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/x-the-traders-bank) Halsey spends part of the day with Mr. Jamieson, but details of their conversation are not shared. ### [XI: Halsey Makes a Capture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xi-halsey-makes-a-capture) Meets the group during their stroll, shares the story of a veiled lady hiring a hack to Sunnyside, and discusses the mystery with Rachel. ### [XVII: A Hint of Scandal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xvii-a-hint-of-scandal) Observes the inquest intently and agrees to spend a few days at Sunnyside to investigate the circular staircase. ### [XVIII: A Hole in the Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xviii-a-hole-in-the-wall) The detective arrives at Sunnyside, watches overnight, and examines the hole in the trunk-room wall, finding no clear explanation. ### [XIX: Concerning Thomas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xix-concerning-thomas) Shares his theory that Jack Bailey prepared to flee before the murder and surrendered strategically; examines locks and watches Thomas closely. ### [XX: Doctor Walker’s Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xx-doctor-walker-s-warning) Jamieson examines Thomas's body and discovers the key and address, noting that Thomas likely knew something he never revealed. ### [Fourteen Elm Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxi-fourteen-elm-street) Investigates the boy Lucien Wallace, arranges for Mrs. Tate to call him when the mother appears, and confronts Rachel about the revolver. ### [XXII: A Ladder Out of Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxii-a-ladder-out-of-place) Suggests sending a man out in his place, then returns to town early in the evening. ### [XXIV: Flinders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxiv-flinders) Called by Halsey; promises to come to Sunnyside that night with another man. ### [XXV: A Visit from Louise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxv-a-visit-from-louise) Jamieson arrives with a new detective, reports finding the crashed Dragon Fly, and leads the search for Halsey. ### [XXVI: Halsey's Disappearance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxvi-halsey-s-disappearance) Investigates Halsey's disappearance, reports on the car crash, and questions the family about Halsey's enemies and motives. ### [XXVII: Who Is Nina Carrington?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxvii-who-is-nina-carrington) Leads the search for Halsey, calling nightly with updates. ### [XXIX: A Scrap of Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxix-a-scrap-of-paper) Returns to Sunnyside, tired and unshaven, bringing the cryptic scrap of paper and arranging an interview with Riggs. He theorizes that hidden bank money is concealed in the walls. ### [XXX: When Churchyards Yawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxx-when-churchyards-yawn) Leads the expedition to the churchyard, having received a tip about Halsey's whereabouts. ### [XXXI: Between Two Fireplaces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxi-between-two-fireplaces) Rachel recalls his theory about a hidden room near the circular staircase and his investigation of the clothes chute. ### [XXXII: Anne Watson’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxii-anne-watson-s-story) Investigates the circular staircase with the day detective while Rachel is at the hospital. ### [At the Foot of the Stairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xxxiii-at-the-foot-of-the-stairs) Leads the search for the secret room and orchestrates the pursuit of the intruder. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters/mr_jamieson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/characters