# Owen Fitzstephan — The Dain Curse character guide

> Owen Fitzstephan in The Dain Curse by Dashiell Hammett.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Fitzstephan, Mr. Fitzstephan

**First appearance:** 0003-i-eight-diamonds

## Snapshot

A writer of sharp, unpleasant novels and the narrator's old friend, he is charming, curious, and always somehow already informed about the Leggetts.

## Who they are

Fitzstephan is the narrator's intellectual sparring partner, a man who talks about people the way a collector talks about specimens and who seems to find the Leggett mess more entertaining than it should be. He is close to Alice Leggett, was once close to Gabrielle, and has a habit of appearing with useful information just before it is needed. His friendship with the narrator is the book's most unsettling relationship, because it keeps making the reader ask why a man like that is so interested.

## In the story

### [The Dain Curse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/the-dain-curse)

Friend and confidant who becomes involved in unraveling the mystery of the curse.

### [II: Long-Nose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/ii-long-nose)

Mentioned as the writer who introduced Halstead to Leggett's work with glass.

### [III: Something Black](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/iii-something-black)

Describes Leggett as secretive and decadent; shares his curiosity about the Leggett family.

### [IV: The Vague Harpers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/iv-the-vague-harpers)

Agrees to interview Mrs. Leggett; discusses his article on psychology.

### [V: Gabrielle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/v-gabrielle)

Briefly contacted by phone; the narrator urges him to pursue his book-borrowing plan.

### [VI: The Man from Devil’s Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/vi-the-man-from-devil-s-island)

Opens the door, informs the narrator of Leggett's suicide, and assists with Gabrielle.

### [VII: The Curse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/vii-the-curse)

Steadies Mrs. Leggett after Gabrielle's accusation, and is first to pursue her when she flees.

### [But and If](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/viii-but-and-if)

Dines with the narrator and discusses the psychological basis of Mrs. Leggett's actions.

### [XII: The Unholy Grail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/xii-the-unholy-grail)

Listens intently to the Op's story, asking pointed questions and expressing disappointment at not being involved firsthand.

### [Part III: Quesada](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/part-iii-quesada)

The Op's friend, involved in the investigation.

### [XV: I've Killed Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/xv-i-ve-killed-him)

Provides a cryptic phone call and ransom note, linking to the case.

### [XVI: The Night Hunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/xvi-the-night-hunt)

His story is relayed to Vernon and Feeney; he is expected to arrive in the morning.

### [XVII: Below Dull Point](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/xvii-below-dull-point)

Joins the narrator and Vernon; his alibi is confirmed by telegrams; nearly hit by Whidden's rifle bullet.

### [XVIII: The Pineapple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/xviii-the-pineapple)

Argues with the narrator about the case, is killed in the bomb explosion.

### [XIX: The Degenerate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/xix-the-degenerate)

Severely injured in the bomb explosion; still alive but in critical condition.

### [XXII: Confessional](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/xxii-confessional)

Reveals his Dain heritage and plans to use an insanity defense for his crimes.

### [XXIII: The Circus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/xxiii-the-circus)

On trial for murder, pleads insanity; orchestrated the Leggett family's ruin and multiple murders.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/characters/owen_fitzstephan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dain_curse_se/characters