# Rob Fessenden — The Clue character guide > Rob Fessenden in The Clue by Carolyn Wells. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Fessenden, Rob, Robert Fessenden, Mr. Fessenden, young Fessenden **First appearance:** 0005-vi-fessenden-comes ## Snapshot A young detective invited as best man, Rob Fessenden must investigate a death in the very house where he was meant to stand beside the groom. ## Who they are Fessenden arrives at the Van Norman wedding as Schuyler Carleton's friend and best man, only to find himself the closest thing to a professional investigator the tragedy has. He works methodically — questioning innkeepers, bellboys, and coroners — but admits he is swayed by Kitty French's certainties and his own reluctance to believe Carleton guilty. His willingness to test his own assumptions, even when it means arguing against his instincts, makes him the story's steady, self-questioning center. ## Relationships ### [Madeleine Van Norman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/madeleine_van_norman) _friendship_ Rob is Madeleine's loyal friend and confidant, often acting as her protector and advisor. ### [Schuyler Carleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/schuyler_carleton) _rivalry_ Rob and Schuyler are bitter rivals, competing for Madeleine's affection and clashing over her safety. ### [Kitty French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/kitty_french) _romantic_ Kitty is infatuated with Rob, pursuing him romantically despite his focus on Madeleine. ### [Cicely Dupuy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/cicely_dupuy) _friendship_ Cicely and Rob are friendly acquaintances, often interacting within their mutual social circle. ### [Tom Willard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/tom_willard) _friendship_ Rob and Tom are friends and allies, often working together to support Madeleine. ### [Madeleine Van Norman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/madeleine_van_norman) _friendship_ Rob is Madeleine's loyal friend and confidant, often acting as her protector and advisor. ### [Schuyler Carleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/schuyler_carleton) _rivalry_ Rob and Schuyler are bitter rivals, competing for Madeleine's affection and clashing over her safety. ### [Kitty French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/kitty_french) _romantic_ Kitty is infatuated with Rob, pursuing him romantically despite his focus on Madeleine. ### [Kitty French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/kitty_french) _romantic_ Kitty is infatuated with Rob, pursuing him romantically despite his focus on Madeleine. ### [Cicely Dupuy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/cicely_dupuy) _friendship_ Cicely and Rob are friendly acquaintances, often interacting within their mutual social circle. ### [Schuyler Carleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/schuyler_carleton) _rivalry_ Rob and Schuyler are bitter rivals, competing for Madeleine's affection and clashing over her safety. ### [Tom Willard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/tom_willard) _friendship_ Rob and Tom are friends and allies, often working together to support Madeleine. ## In the story ### [Miss Morton Arrives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/ii-miss-morton-arrives) The best man, who observes Madeleine's strange behavior and is asked by her about Dorothy Burt, a name he does not recognize. ### [VI: Fessenden Comes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/vi-fessenden-comes) Arrives at the Van Norman house, learns of Madeleine's death, and offers his help as an amateur detective. ### [VII: Mr. Benson’s Questions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/vii-mr-benson-s-questions) Offers a theory about the bloodstains on the dagger, observes the reactions of others, exchanges nods with Kitty French. ### [A Soft Lead Pencil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/viii-a-soft-lead-pencil) Presents evidence about the pencil hardness and handwriting similarity, taking a leading role in the investigation. ### [IX: The Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/ix-the-will) Observes the will reading and considers Tom Willard and Miss Morton as beneficiaries, but dismisses them as suspects; also reflects on his attraction to Kitty French. ### [XI: “I Decline to Say”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xi-i-decline-to-say) Observes Carleton's ambiguous speech with new wonder, taking mental notes. ### [XII: Dorothy Burt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xii-dorothy-burt) Engages in a detailed discussion with Kitty French about Carleton's possible guilt, expresses doubt, and plans to investigate the case on his own. ### [An Interview with Cicely](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xiii-an-interview-with-cicely) Conducts the interview, uses deductive questioning to uncover Cicely's secret, and decides to stay in Mapleton to continue investigating. ### [The Carleton Household](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xiv-the-carleton-household) Observes the Carleton household, suspects Dorothy Burt of cleverness and possible motive, and presses Carleton for answers about the night of the murder. ### [XV: Fessenden’s Detective Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xv-fessenden-s-detective-work) Takes charge of the investigation, interviews witnesses, and develops theories about the murder. ### [XVI: Searching for Clues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xvi-searching-for-clues) Investigates Tom Willard's alibi, searches the house for clues, and discusses the case with Kitty French. ### [Miss Morton's Statements](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xvii-miss-morton-s-statements) Present at the inquest, observes the witnesses and becomes suspicious of Dorothy Burt's demeanor and possible signals with Carleton. ### [Carleton Is Frank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xviii-carleton-is-frank) Frustrated by the stalled investigation, he considers leaving Mapleton but is persuaded by Kitty French to openly declare his belief in Carleton's innocence; he then confronts Carleton and offers to act as his lawyer. ### [The Truth About Miss Burt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xix-the-truth-about-miss-burt) Listens to Carleton's confession and decides to report the suspicion about Cicely Dupuy's notes to the coroner. ### [XX: Cicely's Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xx-cicely-s-flight) Leads the shift in suspicion toward Cicely Dupuy, pursues her to New York, and tracks her to Grand Central Station. ### [A Successful Pursuit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xxi-a-successful-pursuit) Successfully pursues Cicely to New York, extracts her confession, and returns to Mapleton; privately hopes to solve the mystery before Fleming Stone arrives. ### [A Talk with Miss Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xxii-a-talk-with-miss-morton) Leads the investigation, interviews Miss Morton and later Dorothy Burt, and begins to advance his relationship with Kitty. ### [XXIII: Fleming Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xxiii-fleming-stone) Participates in the discussions and accompanies Stone during the house examination; previously found a cachou near the fireplace. ### [XXIV: A Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xxiv-a-confession) A lawyer present who takes down Tom Willard's dying will. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/rob_fessenden - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters