# Margaret Harrison — The Documents in the Case character guide > Margaret Harrison in The Documents in the Case by Dorothy L. Sayers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Harrison, Harrison, poor Mrs. Harrison, the excellent Harrison, The earnest Harrison, Mrs. Margaret Harrison **First appearance:** 0003-1-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother ## Who they are A romantic, book-devouring wife whose vivid imagination and quiet suffering make her the still center of a household full of noise, suspicion, and appetite. ## Relationships ### [Harwood Lathom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/harwood_lathom) _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) _family_ Margaret and Paul are married, but their relationship is strained by Margaret's affair and Paul's suspicions. ### [John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/john_munting) _friendship_ John is a friend and confidant to Margaret, offering support during her troubled marriage. ### [Agatha Milsom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/agatha_milsom) _rivalry_ Agatha is jealous of Margaret because of Harwood's attention, leading to a hostile relationship. ### [Einstein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/einstein) _social_ Einstein (likely a pet or a person) is a minor social acquaintance of Margaret, not central to the plot. ### [Amanita muscaria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/amanita_muscaria) _psychological_ The mushroom is linked to Margaret's poisoning, representing the danger and manipulation she faces. ### [Sir James Lubbock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/sir_james_lubbock) _professional_ Margaret interacts with Sir James in a legal or investigative capacity, possibly as a witness or suspect. ### [Bungie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/bungie) _social_ Bungie is a social acquaintance of Margaret, part of the same social circle but not deeply involved. ### [Harwood Lathom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/harwood_lathom) _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) _family_ Margaret and Paul are married, but their relationship is strained by Margaret's affair and Paul's suspicions. ### [Harwood Lathom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/harwood_lathom) _romantic_ Harwood is obsessively infatuated with Margaret, pursuing her despite her marriage, creating a tense and manipulative dynamic. ### [Bungie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/bungie) _social_ Bungie is a social acquaintance of Margaret, part of the same social circle but not deeply involved. ## 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) Central figure in the documents, her actions and relationships are the focus of the correspondence and diary entries. ### [Section I: Synthesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/section-i-synthesis) Introduced as the wife of George Harrison, living in the maisonnette. Her interactions with Munting and Lathom suggest a complex emotional landscape and a desire for something beyond her current life. ### [Agatha Milsom to Olive Farebrother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/1-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother) Mentioned as dear Mrs. Harrison, who is impractical and dreamy. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/2-the-same-to-the-same) Shown as eager to engage in intellectual discussions but hurt by her husband's coldness, leading to a tearful scene. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/3-the-same-to-the-same) Appears nervous during Lathom's visit and is embarrassed by George's behavior. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/5-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Dismissed by Munting as a 'suburban vamp' and ex-typist, wrapped up in her own attractions. ### [6: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/6-the-same-to-the-same) Mentioned as having read Munting's novel 'Deadlock' and finding it coarse and cynical. ### [7: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/7-the-same-to-the-same) Arrives home late with a secret parcel (an anniversary gift for George), tries to keep the peace but is met with criticism. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/9-the-same-to-the-same) Hosts the tea party and enthusiastically discusses Einstein and the rejection of materialism, seeking intellectual validation. ### [Agatha Milsom to Olive Farebrother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/10-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother) Her plan to return to office work is thwarted by her husband's emotional manipulation, leaving her in tears. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/11-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Discussed as a subject of Munting's analysis; she dramatizes herself in various roles and expresses feeling cramped in her surroundings. ### [12: The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/12-the-same-to-the-same) Subject of Munting's analysis; described as a 'suburban vamp' and a type he might use in a book. ### [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 yawning during Harrison's monologues. ### [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 not caring for camp-life and being amused by Lathom's chatter. ### [Agatha Milsom to Olive Farebrother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/16-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother) Upset by George's suggestion and bullying, comes to sleep with Agatha, agrees to portrait sitting. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/17-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Subject of Lathom's planned portrait, which Munting thinks will be a great surprise to her husband. ### [Agatha Milsom to Olive Farebrother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/18-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother) Described as transformed, reading a lot and living in her books, seemingly serene and happy. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/19-the-same-to-the-same) Her portrait is finished; Agatha comments on it and Mr. Harrison's reaction. ### [George Harrison to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/20-george-harrison-to-paul-harrison) Has been sitting for Lathom for her portrait; excited about the idea of exhibiting it at the Academy. ### [Agatha Milsom to Olive Farebrother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/21-agatha-milsom-to-olive-farebrother) Delighted with the portrait but upset by her husband's refusal to allow its exhibition; takes a firm line with him. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/22-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Subject of Lathom's portrait, which Munting describes as revealing, though she may not see it. ### [George Harrison to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/24-george-harrison-to-paul-harrison) Described as restless; the trip to Paris is intended to cheer her up. ### [Note by Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/25-note-by-paul-harrison) In Paris with George Harrison; her letters to Miss Milsom are destroyed. ### [Harwood Lathom to John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/26-harwood-lathom-to-john-munting) Accompanied Lathom and her husband to Paris; shown as excited and spirited, though shocked by the cabaret. ### [John Munting to Elizabeth Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/27-john-munting-to-elizabeth-drake) Discussed indirectly; Munting observes her cleverness and potential to use situations to her advantage. ### [The Same to the Same](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/28-the-same-to-the-same) Is the subject of George's interrogation; her absence and late arrival trigger the conflict. ### [George Harrison to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/36-george-harrison-to-paul-harrison) Mentioned as being distressed and defending Munting. ### [Statement of John Munting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/37-statement-of-john-munting) Described as a woman who craved excitement and color, using Lathom to escape her dull home life. ### [Margaret Harrison to Harwood Lathom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/38-margaret-harrison-to-harwood-lathom) Writes a desperate letter to her lover, expressing misery in her marriage and longing for Lathom. ### [Section II: Analysis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/section-ii-analysis) Central figure in the analysis, her psychological state and motivations are examined. ### [Margaret Harrison to Harwood Lathom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/46-margaret-harrison-to-harwood-lathom) Writes the letter, expressing relief at her husband's death and planning her future with Lathom. ### [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) Widow; testifies about her husband's habits and breaks down in court. ### [John Munting to Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/50-john-munting-to-paul-harrison) Mentioned in the context of Lathom's affair with her, which he fears Paul has discovered. ### [Note by Paul Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/chapters/53-note-by-paul-harrison) Described as morally guilty but likely to escape legal punishment for instigating the murder. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_documents_in_the_case_se/characters/margaret_harrison - 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