# Michael Prenderby — The Crime at Black Dudley character guide > Michael Prenderby in The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Michael, Prenderby, Mike **First appearance:** 0002-i-candlelight ## Snapshot A weekend guest known mostly by his surname, part of the uneasy company gathered under Black Dudley's dark-curtained windows. ## Who they are Prenderby belongs to the small circle of guests assembled for the weekend at Black Dudley, a young man moving through the house's bleak corridors with the rest of the party. His presence adds texture to the group dynamic, one more ordinary person caught in an increasingly extraordinary situation. As the weekend curdles, he becomes part of the collective predicament that forces the guests to rely on one another. ## Relationships ### [Albert Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/albert_campion) _social_ Campion and Prenderby are acquaintances among the house party, sharing a casual social connection. ### [Martin Watt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/martin_watt) _friendship_ Watt and Prenderby are friends and fellow guests, sharing a cordial relationship within the group. ### [Martin Watt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/martin_watt) _friendship_ Watt and Prenderby are friends and fellow guests, sharing a cordial relationship within the group. ### [Albert Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/albert_campion) _social_ Campion and Prenderby are acquaintances among the house party, sharing a casual social connection. ### [Albert Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/albert_campion) _social_ Campion and Prenderby are acquaintances among the house party, sharing a casual social connection. ### [Martin Watt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/martin_watt) _friendship_ Watt and Prenderby are friends and fellow guests, sharing a cordial relationship within the group. ## In the story ### [IV: Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/iv-murder) Prenderby, a newly-qualified M.D., informs Abbershaw of Colonel Coombe's death and the pressure to sign a cremation certificate. He hides in Abbershaw's wardrobe to avoid detection. ### [The Mask](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/v-the-mask) Waits up for Abbershaw, anxious and curious; learns of the murder and the mask. ### [XI: One Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xi-one-explanation) Prenderby is anxious about his fiancée Jeanne and joins Abbershaw in confronting the mysterious noises, assisting with Campion's injuries. ### [XII: “Furthermore…" Said Mr. Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xii-furthermore-said-mr-campion) Asks persistent questions about the package and the gang's next move; shares the group's anxiety. ### [XIII: Abbershaw Sees Red](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xiii-abbershaw-sees-red) Reports Meggie's disappearance to Abbershaw and is instructed to watch Campion and keep him hidden. ### [Mr. Kennedy's Council](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xviii-mr-kennedy-s-council) Silent during the council; his fiancée Jeanne is present; assigned to gag a servant. ### [XX: The Roundup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xx-the-roundup) Found doubled up on a stone sink in the brewhouse, injured from the fight. ### [The Last of Black Dudley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxiv-the-last-of-black-dudley) Lying in bed recovering, he corroborates Abbershaw's statement and discusses the murder with Abbershaw. ### [Mr. Watt Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxv-mr-watt-explains) Arrives late with news of spotting Whitby's distinctive car in Lea Bridge Road, providing a new clue. ### [XXVI: Cherchez la Femme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxvi-cherchez-la-femme) Discovered the disguised Rolls at The Ritz garage and leads the group there, acting as the driver during the pursuit. ### [XXVII: A Journey by Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxvii-a-journey-by-night) Drives the Riley in the chase, carefully keeping distance after a bullet is fired at them, and navigates the difficult roads. ### [XXVIII: Should a Doctor Tell?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxviii-should-a-doctor-tell) Part of the group, observes the approaching plane and alerts the others to its descent. ### [XXIX: The Last Chapter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxix-the-last-chapter) Mentioned as being inclined to forget the Black Dudley affair, with his own marriage to Jeanne Dacre approaching. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/michael_prenderby - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters