# Leesy Sullivan — The Dead Letter character guide

> Leesy Sullivan in The Dead Letter by Metta Victor.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Leesy, Sullivan, this Leesy Sullivan

**First appearance:** 0003-part-i-iv-moreland-villa

## Snapshot

A dying woman with a fierce Irish temper and a secret she guards like a lioness, she loves a child not her own and fears a man she will not name.

## Who they are

Leesy Sullivan is the keeper of Nora and of a history she has confessed to no one but God and Mr. Burton. Her health is failing, her days numbered, and her one care is what will become of the child she has raised. She speaks of George Thorley with a hunted panther's fierceness, and her refusal to let him near Nora is the emotional wall Burton must gently work around.

## Relationships

### [Eleanor Argyll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/characters/eleanor_argyll)

_friendship_

Eleanor and Leesy Sullivan are close friends, with many interactions indicating a supportive and trusting bond.

### [Eleanor Argyll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/characters/eleanor_argyll)

_friendship_

Eleanor and Leesy Sullivan are close friends, with many interactions indicating a supportive and trusting bond.

## In the story

### [Moreland Villa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-i-iv-moreland-villa)

Found in a state of despair at the Moreland villa; her aunt describes her as ailing and deeply affected by the murder.

### [Mr. Burton, the Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-i-v-mr-burton-the-detective)

The sewing-girl under suspicion; absent from work and boardinghouse, has a mysterious visitor with a child.

### [VIII: The Haunted Grave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-i-viii-the-haunted-grave)

Seen fleeing from Henry's grave with a child; remains elusive, having taken the child and disappeared.

### [The Night in Moreland Villa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-i-xii-the-night-in-moreland-villa)

Traced to Blankville; believed to be hiding, possibly connected to the haunting.

### [The Shadow Assumes Shape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-the-shadow-assumes-shape)

Believed by Burton to be hiding in Moreland Villa; described as a woman of intense love and emotional power, possibly connected to Henry Moreland's murder.

### [I: The Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-ii-i-the-letter)

Living quietly in the city, ill with consumption, supported by Mr. Burton; her child is healthy and pretty.

### [Now for Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-now-for-home-again)

Mentioned as the object of Burton's anxiety; he fears she may be dead before they reach New York.

### [VIII: The Ripe Hour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-the-ripe-hour)

Dying but agrees to travel to Blankville to testify; loved Henry Moreland and rejected George Thorley.

### [Joining the Missing Links](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-joining-the-missing-links)

Dies peacefully after seeing little Nora; her love for Henry Moreland is revealed.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/characters/leesy_sullivan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/characters