# Harry Jennison — The House Without a Key character guide

> Harry Jennison in The House Without a Key by Earl Derr Biggers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Jennison, Mr. Jennison

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-the-high-hat

## Snapshot

A mainlander engaged to Barbara Winterslip, Jennison finds his place in the family shaken by a kiss he was never meant to see.

## Who they are

Harry Jennison is Barbara's fiancé, a young man from the mainland whose courtship of a Winterslip daughter places him squarely inside the family's orbit. When he witnesses what he takes to be a romantic moment between Barbara and her cousin John Quincy, the engagement collapses—an estrangement that ripples through the household just as the murder investigation tightens. His wounded pride and uncertain standing make him a figure the reader must keep watching, even as the case pulls attention elsewhere.

## Relationships

### [John Quincy Winterslip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/john_quincy_winterslip)

_rivalry_

Harry Jennison is a romantic rival and antagonist who opposes John Quincy Winterslip.

### [Barbara Winterslip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/barbara_winterslip)

_romantic_

Barbara Winterslip is romantically involved with Harry Jennison, causing tension with her cousin.

### [Barbara Winterslip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/barbara_winterslip)

_romantic_

Barbara Winterslip is romantically involved with Harry Jennison, causing tension with her cousin.

### [John Quincy Winterslip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/john_quincy_winterslip)

_rivalry_

Harry Jennison is a romantic rival and antagonist who opposes John Quincy Winterslip.

### [John Quincy Winterslip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/john_quincy_winterslip)

_rivalry_

Harry Jennison is a romantic rival and antagonist who opposes John Quincy Winterslip.

### [Barbara Winterslip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/barbara_winterslip)

_romantic_

Barbara Winterslip is romantically involved with Harry Jennison, causing tension with her cousin.

## In the story

### [IV: A Friend of Tim's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/iv-a-friend-of-tim-s)

Dan Winterslip's lawyer, a handsome and confident man who joins the voyage and flirts with Barbara.

### [V: The Blood of the Winterslips](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/v-the-blood-of-the-winterslips)

Dresses as a pirate for the costume party; is in a romantic relationship with Barbara, as witnessed by John Quincy.

### [VIII: Steamer Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/viii-steamer-day)

Greets John Quincy on deck, joins the breakfast table, and later accompanies Captain Hallet to interview Jim Egan.

### [IX: At the Reef and Palm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/ix-at-the-reef-and-palm)

Reveals that Dan Winterslip once said he was afraid of Jim Egan, providing a motive for the murder.

### [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 the one who has already spoken for Barbara, described as a fine fellow and handsome.

### [XIV: What Kaohla Carried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/xiv-what-kaohla-carried)

Plays golf with John Quincy, discusses the murder case, remains convinced Jim Egan is guilty, and announces his engagement to Barbara.

### [The Return of Captain Cope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/xvi-the-return-of-captain-cope)

Interrupts John Quincy and Carlota's kiss, revealing his fiancée status.

### [The Light Streams Through](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/chapters/xxii-the-light-streams-through)

Arrested for murder, confronted with evidence including the wristwatch and his motive to marry Barbara Winterslip for her inheritance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_without_a_key_se/characters/harry_jennison
- 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