# Roger Sheringham — The Layton Court Mystery character guide

> Roger Sheringham in The Layton Court Mystery by Anthony Berkeley.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Sheringham, Mr. Roger Sheringham, Sheringham

**First appearance:** 0001-the-layton-court-mystery

## Snapshot

A pipe-smoking, convention-flouting crime novelist who treats a country-house suicide like the plot of a book he intends to solve.

## Who they are

Roger Sheringham arrives at Layton Court as a guest of the jovial host, but his novelist's habit of observing everything — greenfly, footprints, human evasions — quickly turns him into an amateur detective. He is exuberant, self-consciously eccentric, and constitutionally incapable of leaving a puzzle alone, even when his meddling ruffles the police and his friend Alec. His restless curiosity drives the investigation's early and middle stages, as he assembles suspects and theories with more confidence than evidence.

## Relationships

### [Alexander Grierson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/alexander_grierson)

_friendship_

Alexander Grierson and Roger Sheringham are close friends and intellectual companions, often engaging in lively discussions and collaborative detective work.

### [Major Jefferson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/major_jefferson)

_rivalry_

Major Jefferson is a gruff, competitive figure who frequently clashes with Roger Sheringham over authority and investigative methods.

### [Mrs. Plant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/mrs_plant)

_friendship_

Mrs. Plant is a friendly, gossipy housekeeper who shares information and banter with Roger Sheringham, aiding his inquiries.

### [Lady Stanworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/lady_stanworth)

_social_

Lady Stanworth is a dignified, somewhat aloof hostess who interacts with Roger Sheringham as a guest and fellow socialite.

### [Barbara Shannon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/barbara_shannon)

_romantic_

Barbara Shannon and Roger Sheringham share a flirtatious, romantic tension, with Barbara often teasing and challenging him.

### [John Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/john_prince)

_friendship_

John Prince is a young, earnest friend of Roger Sheringham, often acting as a sounding board for his theories.

### [Graves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/graves)

_professional_

Graves, the butler, serves Roger Sheringham and the other guests with formal, efficient professionalism.

### [Mary Plant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/mary_plant)

_social_

Mary Plant, Mrs. Plant's daughter, is a shy maid who interacts briefly with Roger Sheringham while performing her duties.

### [Alexander Grierson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/alexander_grierson)

_friendship_

Alexander Grierson and Roger Sheringham are close friends and intellectual companions, often engaging in lively discussions and collaborative detective work.

### [Major Jefferson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/major_jefferson)

_rivalry_

Major Jefferson is a gruff, competitive figure who frequently clashes with Roger Sheringham over authority and investigative methods.

### [Lady Stanworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/lady_stanworth)

_social_

Lady Stanworth is a dignified, somewhat aloof hostess who interacts with Roger Sheringham as a guest and fellow socialite.

### [Mrs. Plant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/mrs_plant)

_friendship_

Mrs. Plant is a friendly, gossipy housekeeper who shares information and banter with Roger Sheringham, aiding his inquiries.

## In the story

### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/dedication)

Mentioned as the gentleman who solves the mystery, designed to be realistic and fallible.

### [The Layton Court Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/the-layton-court-mystery)

Introduced as a guest at Layton Court, an amateur detective figure.

### [I: Eight O’Clock in the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/i-eight-o-clock-in-the-morning)

Introduced as a dynamic, observant author with an exuberant energy; he teases William and Alec, and is studying the garden at eight in the morning.

### [II: An Interrupted Breakfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/ii-an-interrupted-breakfast)

A close friend of Alec's, invited to Layton Court; noted for his bohemian manner and use of nonsense to ease tension; present at the breakfast and summoned to witness the library door being broken down.

### [III: Mr. Sheringham Is Puzzled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/iii-mr-sheringham-is-puzzled)

Observes Jefferson's suspicious actions and catches Mrs. Plant at the safe; becomes increasingly puzzled.

### [IV: Major Jefferson Is Reluctant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/iv-major-jefferson-is-reluctant)

Observes the police investigation, makes suggestions about the typed note and burnt paper, and reflects on the inspector's competence.

### [V: Mr. Sheringham Asks a Question](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/v-mr-sheringham-asks-a-question)

Questioned by Inspector Mansfield about his last conversation with Stanworth; later expresses suspicion about the wound location and decides to investigate the library.

### [VI: Four People Behave Remarkably](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/vi-four-people-behave-remarkably)

Roger analyzes the suicide scene, noting the unnatural angle of the wound and questioning the behavior of the household members.

### [VII: The Vase That Wasn’t](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/vii-the-vase-that-wasn-t)

Leads the investigation in the library, noticing the missing vase and dust marks.

### [Mr. Sheringham Becomes Startling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/viii-mr-sheringham-becomes-startling)

Roger develops his murder theory, deducing that Stanworth was killed and that the scene was staged. He decides to investigate on his own without involving the police.

### [IX: Mr. Sheringham Sees Visions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/ix-mr-sheringham-sees-visions)

Develops a detailed murder theory, deduces the confession is fake, and observes the other guests' behavior with suspicion.

### [X: Mrs. Plant Is Apprehensive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/x-mrs-plant-is-apprehensive)

Roger confidently discusses his murder theory with Alec, noting Mrs. Plant's changed behavior and suspecting her involvement with the murderer.

### [XI: Lady Stanworth Exchanges Glances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xi-lady-stanworth-exchanges-glances)

Observes the safe opening and the reactions of others, suspicious of Lady Stanworth and Jefferson's silent communication.

### [XII: Hidden Chambers and What-Nots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xii-hidden-chambers-and-what-nots)

Leads the investigation into the library's secret exit, tests Jefferson's reaction, and ultimately discovers the method of escape.

### [XIII: Mr. Sheringham Investigates a Footprint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xiii-mr-sheringham-investigates-a-footprint)

Discovers the footprint and demonstrates how the window was locked from outside; devises a plan to investigate the mysterious stranger and the ash pit.

### [XIV: Dirty Work at the Ash Pit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xiv-dirty-work-at-the-ash-pit)

Leads the search of the ash pit, discovers the incriminating note, and interprets it as proof that Prince is the murderer.

### [XV: Mr. Sheringham Amuses an Ancient Rustic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xv-mr-sheringham-amuses-an-ancient-rustic)

Leads the investigation, theorizes about Prince's involvement, and skillfully extracts information from the landlord.

### [XVI: Mr. Sheringham Lectures on Neo-Platonism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xvi-mr-sheringham-lectures-on-neo-platonism)

Lectures Alec on neo-Platonism, questions William about a stranger, and discovers the footprints have been smoothed out.

### [XVII: Mr. Grierson Becomes Heated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xvii-mr-grierson-becomes-heated)

Probes Mrs. Plant about Lady Stanworth's dislike of Victor Stanworth; later discovers broken vase pieces in the garden, linking them to the crime.

### [XVIII: What the Settee Had to Tell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xviii-what-the-settee-had-to-tell)

Discovers the handkerchief, powder, and hair in the settee; theorizes about the murder and the significance of the clues.

### [XIX: Mr. Sheringham Loses and Wins the Same Bet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xix-mr-sheringham-loses-and-wins-the-same-bet)

Investigates the presence of a woman in the library after dinner, uses a trick about a lost pen to question the maid, and confronts Mrs. Plant with the handkerchief.

### [XX: Mrs. Plant Proves Disappointing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xx-mrs-plant-proves-disappointing)

Confronts Mrs. Plant about her handkerchief and her false statement; deduces she was crying in the library; proposes investigating Stanworth's private papers.

### [XXI: Mr. Sheringham Is Dramatic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxi-mr-sheringham-is-dramatic)

Reassesses Jefferson's character and develops a new theory about the murder involving Mrs. Plant; later investigates Stanworth's financial records.

### [XXII: Mr. Sheringham Solves the Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxii-mr-sheringham-solves-the-mystery)

Presents his deduction that Jefferson killed Stanworth, showing complacent triumph but also willingness to withhold the truth from police depending on circumstances.

### [XXIII: Mrs. Plant Talks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxiii-mrs-plant-talks)

Confronts Mrs. Plant after the inquest, using his deductions to pressure her into confessing the blackmail meeting.

### [XXIV: Mr. Sheringham Is Disconcerted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxiv-mr-sheringham-is-disconcerted)

Disconcerted by the suicide letter, but quickly recovers and reopens the investigation after spotting inconsistencies.

### [XXV: The Mystery Finally Refuses to Accept Mr. Sheringham's Solution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxv-the-mystery-finally-refuses-to-accept-mr-sheringham-s-solution)

Confronts Major Jefferson, pressing him about his whereabouts and the blackmail, and learns of the secret marriage and the forgery story.

### [XXVI: Mr. Grierson Tries His Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxvi-mr-grierson-tries-his-hand)

Interviews Major Jefferson and learns of his secret marriage; becomes convinced of Jefferson's innocence.

### [XXVII: Mr. Sheringham Hits the Mark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-sheringham-hits-the-mark)

Roger reveals his solution to the murder, explaining his reasoning and confronting Alec.

### [XXVIII: What Really Did Happen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxviii-what-really-did-happen)

Listens to Alec's confession and reveals how he deduced the truth from the hair clue and other observations.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/roger_sheringham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters