# Adèle Gertstein — The Lazy Detective character guide > Adèle Gertstein in The Lazy Detective by George Dilnot. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Gertstein, Adèle, Gertstein, the wealthy Mrs. Gertstein, Mrs. Gertstein Labar **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A millionaire's wife with a bookmaker problem and a past she cannot afford to expose, Adèle Gertstein is impulse-driven, desperate, and dangerous to everyone near her. ## Who they are Adèle reclines on the terrace of Maid's Retreat doing the thinking she hates, because a blackmailer wants five thousand pounds within the week or he goes to her husband Solly. She writes to Larry begging the money 'for the sake of old times,' hinting that publicity would embarrass him too, and coolly notes that Penelope has vanished. Her letter, intercepted by Labar, cracks the case open — she is both quarry and lever, and her recklessness keeps the plot tilting. ## Relationships ### [Harry Labar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/harry_labar) _romantic_ Adèle and Harry share a romantic relationship, with frequent interactions suggesting deep affection and personal involvement. ### [Larry Hughes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/larry_hughes) _friendship_ Adèle and Larry are friends and mutual associates, often interacting due to their shared connection with Harry. ### [Penelope Noelson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/penelope_noelson) _friendship_ Adèle and Penelope are friends, often interacting as part of the same social circle. ### [Harry Labar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/harry_labar) _romantic_ Adèle and Harry share a romantic relationship, with frequent interactions suggesting deep affection and personal involvement. ### [Harry Labar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/harry_labar) _romantic_ Adèle and Harry share a romantic relationship, with frequent interactions suggesting deep affection and personal involvement. ### [Penelope Noelson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/penelope_noelson) _friendship_ Adèle and Penelope are friends, often interacting as part of the same social circle. ### [Larry Hughes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/larry_hughes) _friendship_ Adèle and Larry are friends and mutual associates, often interacting due to their shared connection with Harry. ### [Larry Hughes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/larry_hughes) _friendship_ Adèle and Larry are friends and mutual associates, often interacting due to their shared connection with Harry. ### [Penelope Noelson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/penelope_noelson) _friendship_ Adèle and Penelope are friends, often interacting as part of the same social circle. ## In the story ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as Penelope's distant relative and employer, away in Hampshire with Penelope. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/vii) Referred to as the woman Hughes had a past with; Penelope realizes Hughes is blackmailing her and that she has been buying his silence. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/ix) Mrs. Gertstein is implicated by an anonymous letter as having gambling debts; Labar plans to investigate her. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xi) Desperate for money, writes to Larry Hughes, attends Goodwood, loses heavily on Bonnie Chevalier. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xii) Suspect in the forgery; writes a letter to Larry that Labar copies; attacks Labar with a dagger when confronted. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xiii) Confesses to being blackmailed by Larry Hughes, forging her husband's cheque, and attempting to bribe Labar. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xiv) Present during the confrontation, she urges Larry to kill Labar and is furious at the detective. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xvi) Adèle is a fugitive, having fled with Larry after attempting to murder Labar. She is wanted for forgery and is considered a liability to Larry. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xvii) Discussed as having fled with Larry Hughes, forged her husband's name, and attempted to kill Labar. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xix) Arrives distraught in Larry's car; embraces Penelope and reveals she has had 'the very devil of a time.' ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xx) Confesses to attempted murder and forgery, is frightened and reliant on Larry Hughes, and is manipulated by him into submission. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxiii) Described as treacherous and manipulative; threatened Penelope with false accusations and attempted to stab her; Penelope now feels freed from any loyalty to her. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxv) Present in the tunnel; her voice is heard among the muttering gang members. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxvi) Adèle Gertstein is hysterical and crying, worried about being imprisoned, and is threatened by Tom. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxix) Hysterical and half-paralysed, she flings herself before Labar in a piteous appeal for mercy; a doctor is called. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/adele_gertstein - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters