# Barbara Winterslip — The House Without a Key character guide > Barbara Winterslip in The House Without a Key by Earl Derr Biggers. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Barbara, Miss Barbara, Miss Barbara Winterslip, Poor Barbara **First appearance:** 0001-the-house-without-a-key ## Snapshot Dan Winterslip's kind-hearted sole heir, a young woman whose broken engagement and family loyalty place her at the center of the murder's aftermath. ## Who they are Barbara Winterslip is the daughter of the murdered Dan, a gentle presence in a family full of hard men and old grudges. Her broken engagement to Harry Jennison—partly tangled up with a misunderstood cousinly kiss—leaves her exposed just as she inherits both Dan's fortune and his secrets. Her welfare becomes the stated reason Miss Minerva conceals evidence from the police, making Barbara the emotional stake over which the investigation's ethics are fought. ## Relationships ### [John Quincy Winterslip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/john_quincy_winterslip) _family_ Barbara is John Quincy's cousin, and they share a close, supportive family bond. ### [Harry Jennison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/harry_jennison) _romantic_ Barbara Winterslip is romantically involved with Harry Jennison, causing tension with her cousin. ### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/charlie_chan) _professional_ Barbara cooperates with Charlie Chan as a witness and family member during the investigation. ### [John Quincy Winterslip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/john_quincy_winterslip) _family_ Barbara is John Quincy's cousin, and they share a close, supportive family bond. ### [John Quincy Winterslip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/john_quincy_winterslip) _family_ Barbara is John Quincy's cousin, and they share a close, supportive family bond. ### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/charlie_chan) _professional_ Barbara cooperates with Charlie Chan as a witness and family member during the investigation. ### [Harry Jennison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/harry_jennison) _romantic_ Barbara Winterslip is romantically involved with Harry Jennison, causing tension with her cousin. ### [Harry Jennison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/harry_jennison) _romantic_ Barbara Winterslip is romantically involved with Harry Jennison, causing tension with her cousin. ## In the story ### [I: Kona Weather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/i-kona-weather) Dan's daughter, mentioned as having graduated and expected to arrive soon in Honolulu. ### [IV: A Friend of Tim's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/iv-a-friend-of-tim-s) Also boarding the ship, she is the focus of Harry Jennison's attention and is teased by Madame Maynard. ### [V: The Blood of the Winterslips](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/v-the-blood-of-the-winterslips) Organizes a costume party; is seen in a passionate embrace with Harry Jennison; appears vibrant and flushed. ### [VIII: Steamer Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/viii-steamer-day) Excited to return home but becomes frightened when her father Dan is not at the dock; later heard moaning in grief. ### [X: A Newspaper Ripped in Anger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/x-a-newspaper-ripped-in-anger) Mentioned as taking Dan's death hard; she sends her regrets for not joining lunch, and John Quincy sends his love. ### [XIII: The Luggage in Room Nineteen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/xiii-the-luggage-in-room-nineteen) Grieving and subdued, she shares memories of the beach with John Quincy and expresses hope that his visit will be happy despite the tragedy. ### [XIV: What Kaohla Carried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/xiv-what-kaohla-carried) Appears happier, approves of John Quincy's interest in San Francisco, and announces her engagement to Harry Jennison. ### [Night Life in Honolulu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/xvii-night-life-in-honolulu) Appears tired and wan; tells John Quincy she will not marry Harry Jennison and asks him to speak with Brade. ### [The Stone Walls Crumble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/xxi-the-stone-walls-crumble) Arrives from Kauai; John Quincy finds her on the beach and tells her he knows who killed her father. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/barbara_winterslip - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters