# Harwood Lathom — The Documents in the Case character guide > Harwood Lathom in The Documents in the Case by Dorothy L. Sayers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lathom, Mr. Lathom, young Lathom, Young Lathom, Mr. Harwood Lathom, Ef Mr. Lathom **First appearance:** 0003-1-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother ## Who they are A young painter of slapdash brilliance and careless charm, he turns the Harrison household into a studio of flattery, gossip, and dangerous proximity. ## Relationships ### [Margaret Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/margaret_harrison) _romantic_ Harwood is obsessively infatuated with Margaret, pursuing her despite her marriage, creating a tense and manipulative dynamic. ### [Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/paul_harrison) _rivalry_ Harwood is a rival for Margaret's affection, and Paul is her husband, leading to jealousy and conflict. ### [John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/john_munting) _friendship_ Harwood and John are acquaintances and share a social circle, but their relationship is strained by Harwood's actions. ### [Agatha Milsom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/agatha_milsom) _psychological_ Agatha is obsessed with Harwood, and he manipulates her for his own ends, creating a toxic dynamic. ### [Sir James Lubbock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/sir_james_lubbock) _professional_ Harwood and Sir James have a professional relationship, likely as lawyer and client or in a legal context. ### [Amanita muscaria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/amanita_muscaria) _psychological_ Amanita muscaria (the mushroom) is a symbol of Harwood's obsession and the poison used, representing his destructive influence. ### [Burrage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/burrage) _professional_ Burrage is likely a servant or employee of Harwood, serving his needs. ### [Archie Cutts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/archie_cutts) _professional_ Archie Cutts is a professional contact of Harwood, possibly in business or legal matters. ### [Margaret Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/margaret_harrison) _romantic_ Harwood is obsessively infatuated with Margaret, pursuing her despite her marriage, creating a tense and manipulative dynamic. ### [Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/paul_harrison) _rivalry_ Harwood is a rival for Margaret's affection, and Paul is her husband, leading to jealousy and conflict. ### [Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/paul_harrison) _rivalry_ Harwood is a rival for Margaret's affection, and Paul is her husband, leading to jealousy and conflict. ### [John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/john_munting) _friendship_ Harwood and John are acquaintances and share a social circle, but their relationship is strained by Harwood's actions. ## In the story ### [The Documents in the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/the-documents-in-the-case) His letters and interactions with Margaret and others are documented, revealing his role in the developing situation. ### [Section I: Synthesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/section-i-synthesis) A close friend of the Harrisons, particularly of George. He is a painter and is deeply involved in the social circle, with a notable connection to Margaret. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/3-the-same-to-the-same) The artist tenant who visits the Harrisons, impressing Agatha with his manners and modesty. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/5-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Munting's flatmate, who has struck up an acquaintance with the Harrisons. ### [7: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/7-the-same-to-the-same) Present during the quarrel, is indignant on Margaret's behalf, calling George a brute. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/9-the-same-to-the-same) Engages in the philosophical debate, asserting that beauty is the only true reality and that thought creates existence. ### [Agatha Milsom to Olive Farebrother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/10-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother) Visits the Harrisons often, cheers them up, and compliments Agatha's designs. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/11-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Present in the sitting-room while George Harrison talks about aerial perspective. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/14-the-same-to-the-same) Mentioned as being gregarious and frequently visiting the Harrisons. ### [George Harrison to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/15-george-harrison-to-paul-harrison) Described as a decent, friendly young fellow and a fellow artist who visits frequently. ### [Agatha Milsom to Olive Farebrother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/16-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother) Visits almost every evening, plans to paint portraits of Agatha and Margaret. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/17-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Described as insistently cheerful and planning to paint a portrait of Mrs. Harrison as a surprise. ### [George Harrison to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/20-george-harrison-to-paul-harrison) Painted Margaret's portrait and agreed to paint Miss Milsom's, though George suspects he is not serious. ### [Agatha Milsom to Olive Farebrother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/21-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother) Paints Margaret's portrait as a gift, is criticized by Harrison, and later agrees to paint Agatha's portrait. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/22-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Praised for his portrait of Margaret Harrison, though Munting notes his lack of practical sense in human relationships. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/23-the-same-to-the-same) Painted a satirical portrait of Miss Milsom; is in high spirits and working intensely. ### [George Harrison to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/24-george-harrison-to-paul-harrison) May join them in Paris; painted a portrait of Miss Milsom. ### [Note by Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/25-note-by-paul-harrison) Joins the Harrisons in Paris for New Year; writes a letter to Munting. ### [Harwood Lathom to John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/26-harwood-lathom-to-john-munting) Author of the letter; describes his Paris trip and his cynical, restless mood. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/27-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Mentioned as being pleased about the portrait exhibition and sharing Munting's nervous state. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/28-the-same-to-the-same) Attends the dinner and is visibly uncomfortable and angry at Harrison's behavior. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/30-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Mentioned as the artist who painted Munting's portrait, now sought after by press agencies. ### [31: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/31-the-same-to-the-same) Accompanies Munting to the labs, described as being in a 'vagrom mood' and wasting time. ### [George Harrison to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/36-george-harrison-to-paul-harrison) Distressed by the incident; leaves the maisonnette. ### [Statement of John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/37-statement-of-john-munting) Munting's friend, involved in an affair with Mrs. Harrison, which Munting tries to end. ### [Margaret Harrison to Harwood Lathom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/38-margaret-harrison-to-harwood-lathom) The recipient of the letter, Margaret's lover, whose absence has left her feeling dead and empty. ### [Statement of John Munting [Continued]](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/45-statement-of-john-munting-continued) Writes to Munting from The Shack, describing his stay with Harrison. He appears restless and cynical, and invites Munting to join him, showing signs of nervousness during the journey. ### [Section II: Analysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/section-ii-analysis) His artistic nature and complex relationship with Margaret and George are explored. ### [Margaret Harrison to Harwood Lathom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/46-margaret-harrison-to-harwood-lathom) The recipient of the letter, referred to as 'Petra'. ### [Extract from the Morning Express of Tuesday, October 21st, 1929](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/47-extract-from-the-morning-express-of-tuesday-october-21st-1929) Gives evidence about Harrison's fungi experiments and the discovery of the body. ### [Extract from the Morning Express of Wednesday, November 5th, 1929](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/48-extract-from-the-morning-express-of-wednesday-november-5th-1929) Recalled to confirm that Harrison had spoken of gathering fungi, mentioning 'Warty Hats' or 'Warty Caps'. ### [John Munting to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/50-john-munting-to-paul-harrison) Visits Munting, angrily confronts him about Paul's inquiries, and provides a detailed alibi for the time of George Harrison's death. ### [Statement of Paul Harrison [Continued]](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/51-statement-of-paul-harrison-continued) Discussed as the prime suspect; his guilt is now without doubt in Paul's mind, and his method of poisoning is theorized. ### [Statement of John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/52-statement-of-john-munting) Subject of Munting's anxiety; his actions weigh heavily on Munting. ### [Note by Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/53-note-by-paul-harrison) Convicted and hanged for the murder of George Harrison. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/harwood_lathom - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters