# Victor Stanworth — The Layton Court Mystery character guide > Victor Stanworth in The Layton Court Mystery by Anthony Berkeley. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Victor Stanworth, Mr. Stanworth, Victor, old Mr. Stanworth **First appearance:** 0001-the-layton-court-mystery ## Snapshot The genial, generous host of Layton Court, whose taste for young company and half-crown cigars conceals a talent for quiet blackmail. ## Who they are Victor Stanworth is a wealthy bachelor who rents a grand house each summer and fills it with entertaining young guests, playing the jolly old gentleman to perfection. Underneath the red-faced bonhomie lies a man who collects secrets and uses them — as Lady Stanworth knows to her cost. His death is the puzzle the whole book turns on, and the contradictions in his character are what make the question of who killed him, and why, so difficult to answer. ## In the story ### [The Layton Court Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/the-layton-court-mystery) The host of the house party at Layton Court. ### [II: An Interrupted Breakfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/ii-an-interrupted-breakfast) Described as a genial, wealthy bachelor host who enjoys entertaining; his background and character are detailed before his apparent suicide is discovered. ### [III: Mr. Sheringham Is Puzzled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/iii-mr-sheringham-is-puzzled) Found dead in the library with a gunshot wound; a suicide note is discovered. ### [V: Mr. Sheringham Asks a Question](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/v-mr-sheringham-asks-a-question) Deceased; discussed in interviews as having been cheerful and normal before his death. ### [Mr. Sheringham Becomes Startling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/viii-mr-sheringham-becomes-startling) Stanworth is the deceased; Roger argues that he was murdered, not a suicide, based on the bullet mark and the arrangement of the room. ### [IX: Mr. Sheringham Sees Visions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/ix-mr-sheringham-sees-visions) Referenced in Roger's reconstruction of the murder and in the fake confession evidence. ### [X: Mrs. Plant Is Apprehensive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/x-mrs-plant-is-apprehensive) The murder victim; Roger discusses the circumstances of his death and the murderer's identity. ### [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) The deceased; his pencil-written note is found, revealing his fear of a man named Prince. ### [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) Mentioned as the victim; reportedly afraid of Prince and threatened him with a revolver before being shot. ### [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) Referenced in William's question about suicide and in discussions of the murder. ### [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) Discussed as the victim; Roger speculates about his possible motives and secret past. ### [XXI: Mr. Sheringham Is Dramatic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxi-mr-sheringham-is-dramatic) His financial records reveal large cash deposits and unexplained income. ### [XXII: Mr. Sheringham Solves the Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxii-mr-sheringham-solves-the-mystery) Revealed as a blackmailer; his death is the central mystery, with Roger's theory depicting him as the aggressor in the fatal struggle. ### [XXIII: Mrs. Plant Talks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxiii-mrs-plant-talks) Referred to as the blackmailer who threatened Mrs. Plant and kept evidence in his safe. ### [XXIV: Mr. Sheringham Is Disconcerted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxiv-mr-sheringham-is-disconcerted) Posthumously implicated as a blackmailer; the authenticity of his suicide letter is now in doubt. ### [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) Referenced as the blackmailer who discovered Jefferson's forgery and used it to coerce him into becoming his secretary. ### [XXVII: Mr. Sheringham Hits the Mark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-sheringham-hits-the-mark) The victim, described as a scoundrel who blackmailed Mrs. Plant and others. ### [XXVIII: What Really Did Happen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxviii-what-really-did-happen) Revealed as a blackmailer who threatened Barbara Shannon and was killed by Alec during a struggle. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/victor_stanworth - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters