# John Munting — The Documents in the Case character guide > John Munting in The Documents in the Case by Dorothy L. Sayers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Munting, Munting, Mr. John Munting, John, J. Munting, Jack Munting, Jack **First appearance:** 0007-5-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake ## Who they are A novelist with a taste for analysis and a talent for being in the wrong place, he becomes the reluctant archivist of a death everyone wants explained away. ## Relationships ### [Harwood Lathom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/harwood_lathom) _friendship_ Harwood and John are acquaintances and share a social circle, but their relationship is strained by Harwood's actions. ### [Margaret Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/margaret_harrison) _friendship_ John is a friend and confidant to Margaret, offering support during her troubled marriage. ### [Dr. Leader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/dr_leader) _professional_ Dr. Leader and John have a professional relationship, possibly as doctor and patient or in a legal investigation. ### [Dr. Leader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/dr_leader) _professional_ Dr. Leader and John have a professional relationship, possibly as doctor and patient or in a legal investigation. ### [Harwood Lathom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/harwood_lathom) _friendship_ Harwood and John are acquaintances and share a social circle, but their relationship is strained by Harwood's actions. ### [Harwood Lathom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/harwood_lathom) _friendship_ Harwood and John are acquaintances and share a social circle, but their relationship is strained by Harwood's actions. ### [Dr. Leader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/dr_leader) _professional_ Dr. Leader and John have a professional relationship, possibly as doctor and patient or in a legal investigation. ### [Margaret Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/margaret_harrison) _friendship_ John is a friend and confidant to Margaret, offering support during her troubled marriage. ### [Margaret Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/margaret_harrison) _friendship_ John is a friend and confidant to Margaret, offering support during her troubled marriage. ## 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 diary entries and letters provide a key perspective on the unfolding events and his observations of the other characters. ### [Section I: Synthesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/section-i-synthesis) The new neighbor who moves into the maisonnette next door. He is an observer and participant in the lives of the Harrisons and Lathom, and his own creative work as a writer is a key part of his identity. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/2-the-same-to-the-same) Mentioned as one of the new tenants, an artist, whose arrival causes a stir in the neighborhood. ### [4: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/4-the-same-to-the-same) Encountered by Agatha in the hallway; described as sallow, bilious-looking, and sarcastic. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/5-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Writes to Elizabeth, describing his new living situation and his disdain for the Harrisons. ### [6: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/6-the-same-to-the-same) Writes a letter to Bungie, discussing his writing, his home, and his views on psychoanalysis and science. ### [7: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/7-the-same-to-the-same) Narrates the letter to Bungie, observing the Harrisons' quarrel and reflecting on the state of their marriage. ### [8: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/8-the-same-to-the-same) Writes a letter to Bungie, reflecting on his purpose and the importance of his work. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/9-the-same-to-the-same) Narrates the chapter through a letter to Bungie, describing the tea party and his interactions with the Harrisons, Lathom, and the parson. ### [Agatha Milsom to Olive Farebrother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/10-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother) Mentioned as the objectionable Mr. Munting who often comes home late and is rarely seen. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/11-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Writes a letter to Elizabeth Drake, reflecting on his observations of the Harrisons and his own literary ideas. ### [12: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/12-the-same-to-the-same) Writes a defensive letter to Bungie, denying fascination with Mrs. Harrison and professing his love for Bungie. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/13-the-same-to-the-same) Writes a long letter to Bungie, describing his work, his trip to Paris, and his fears about marriage. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/14-the-same-to-the-same) Writes a letter to Bungie expressing his frustrations and thoughts on love and independence. ### [George Harrison to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/15-george-harrison-to-paul-harrison) Mentioned as reserved and quiet, with Margaret disliking his sarcastic manner. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/17-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Writes to Elizabeth Drake, expressing frustration with his living situation and planning to escape to Oxford. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/19-the-same-to-the-same) Agatha mentions his departure to Oxford and suspects he is leading a double life. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/22-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Writes a letter to Elizabeth Drake, sharing his thoughts on art, science, and his literary career. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/23-the-same-to-the-same) Writes to Bungie about his book's unexpected success and his mixed feelings about the publisher's enthusiasm. ### [Note by Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/25-note-by-paul-harrison) Spends Christmas with family and fiancée; provides a letter from Lathom. ### [Harwood Lathom to John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/26-harwood-lathom-to-john-munting) Recipient of the letter; Lathom addresses him directly and comments on his recent marriage. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/27-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Narrates the letter, feeling busy and sympathetic toward Lathom, while acting as literary advisor to Harrison. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/28-the-same-to-the-same) Narrates the chapter through a letter to Bungie, describing the dinner party and his anxieties about marriage. ### [Note by Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/29-note-by-paul-harrison) His letters contain no references to the Harrison domestic affairs during February, as he was preoccupied with his own concerns. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/30-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Exuberant and overwhelmed by his sudden bestseller status; proposes marriage to Elizabeth. ### [31: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/31-the-same-to-the-same) Writes to Bungie about their Easter wedding, expresses discomfort with Leader's company and the lab visit, and muses on synthetic life and the nature of existence. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/32-the-same-to-the-same) Writes to his wife from Smith's Hotel after leaving Whittington Terrace due to an incident. ### [Agatha Milsom to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/33-agatha-milsom-to-elizabeth-drake) Subject of the letter, accused by Milsom of indecent behavior and late-night activities, and of being unfit to marry a decent woman. ### [Elizabeth Drake to John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/34-elizabeth-drake-to-john-munting) The recipient of Elizabeth Drake's letter, which is endorsed on a previous correspondence. ### [Telegram from John Munting to Elizabeth Drake, Dated 26.2.29](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/35-telegram-from-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake-dated-26-2-29) Sends a telegram to Elizabeth Drake, admitting to being 'a little mad and quite mistaken' and announcing his departure North. ### [George Harrison to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/36-george-harrison-to-paul-harrison) Accused of indecent assault; forced to leave the house. ### [Statement of John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/37-statement-of-john-munting) Provides his statement, reflecting on his past actions and relationships. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/39-the-same-to-the-same) Quoted by Lolo in her letter: 'All God's creatures have their uses.' ### [Statement of John Munting [Continued]](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/45-statement-of-john-munting-continued) Narrates the chapter, recalling events from October 1929. He is living in Bloomsbury while his wife is away, and agrees to visit The Shack with Lathom. ### [Section II: Analysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/section-ii-analysis) His perspective and role as an observer and participant in the unfolding drama are analyzed. ### [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) Confirms Lathom's evidence; present at the discovery of the body. ### [Statement by Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/49-statement-by-paul-harrison) Denies any affair with Margaret Harrison and provides Paul with a statement and letters, though Paul finds him conceited and pretentious. ### [John Munting to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/50-john-munting-to-paul-harrison) Narrates the letter to Paul Harrison, expressing his discomfort and moral confusion after Lathom's visit. ### [Statement of Paul Harrison [Continued]](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/51-statement-of-paul-harrison-continued) Reluctantly agrees to help Harrison, providing a point of contact with Dr. Leader and accompanying him to the labs. ### [Statement of John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/52-statement-of-john-munting) Narrates his emotional distress and involvement in the investigation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/john_munting - 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