# Harry Labar — The Lazy Detective character guide > Harry Labar in The Lazy Detective by George Dilnot. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Labar, Mr. Labar, Divisional Detective Inspector Labar, Detective Inspector Labar, Inspector Labar **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A Divisional Detective Inspector with a nose for the unprovable, Labar is the methodical, wryly self-aware mind driving the hunt for Larry Hughes. ## Who they are Labar works the Stebbins shooting and the Streetly House robbery with patient, unglamorous craft — cordoning houses, searching a drunk gunman with his own hands, deferring questions until he's had eight hours' sleep. He knows Larry is guilty and knows he cannot prove it, a tension his friend Moreland needles him about constantly. His anonymous letter about Mrs. G. and her bookmaker's debts is the thread that pulls the Gertstein scandal into the case, making him the story's engine. ## Relationships ### [Larry Hughes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/larry_hughes) _friendship_ Harry and Larry are close friends and frequent partners in crime-solving, with the highest number of interactions indicating a strong bond. ### [Adèle Gertstein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/adele_gertstein) _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_ Harry and Penelope are close friends and allies, often working together on cases or socializing. ### [Moreland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/moreland) _professional_ Harry and Moreland have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues or client and detective. ### [Gold Dust Teddy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/gold_dust_teddy) _rivalry_ Gold Dust Teddy and Harry are antagonists, with Teddy often opposing or complicating Harry's investigations. ### [Stebbins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/stebbins) _professional_ Harry and Stebbins have a professional relationship, likely as detective and police contact or informant. ### [Malone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/malone) _professional_ Harry and Malone have a professional relationship, possibly as colleagues or as detective and client. ### [John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/john) _friendship_ Harry and John are friends or regular associates, with John likely being a recurring character in Harry's life. ### [Sophie Lengholm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/sophie_lengholm) _friendship_ Harry and Sophie are friends, connected through their mutual relationships with Larry and Penelope. ### [Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/winter) _professional_ Harry and Winter have a professional relationship, possibly as detective and law enforcement contact. ### [Bill Bungey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/bill_bungey) _friendship_ Bill and Harry are friends, with Bill likely being a companion or ally in Harry's adventures. ### [Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/tom) _friendship_ Harry and Tom are friends, with Tom being a recurring acquaintance in Harry's life. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/i) Divisional Detective Inspector, lazy but brilliant, under pressure from his superiors to solve crime in his division; focused on Larry Hughes. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/ii) Divisional Detective Inspector leading the investigation; anxious about career repercussions and professional missteps. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/iii) Interviews household members, cross-examines Penelope Noelson, and confronts her about a bribe attempt. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/iv) Divisional Detective Inspector leading the investigation; suspicious of Penelope, places her under surveillance, and is attacked by a woman near the station. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/v) Visits Larry Hughes to investigate the Streetly House robbery; steals a photograph of Penelope Noelson from the mantelpiece; reveals he has Penelope under observation and plans to detain her. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/vi) Reviews reports, interviews Penelope Noelson, and orders Gold Dust Teddy's arrest. Struggles with his duty versus sympathy for Penelope. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as having interviewed Penelope and accused her of forgery and bribery; Penelope questions his motives and truthfulness. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/viii) Leads the investigation, coordinates police dragnet, interrogates Gold Dust Teddy, and considers the marriage loophole to prevent Penelope's testimony. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/ix) Labar remains persistent despite setbacks, enjoys the challenge, and follows up on an anonymous letter about Mrs. Gertstein. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xii) Leads the forgery investigation, confronts Mrs. Gertstein, and is stabbed during the struggle. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xiii) Interrogates Adèle Gertstein, learns the full extent of her blackmail and forgery, and is interrupted by Larry Hughes. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xiv) Wounded in the side, Labar negotiates with Larry, feigns consideration of a bribe, then attacks and escapes. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xv) Leads the chase and later escapes pursuit by Billy Bungey's gang; wounded but determined. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xvi) Labar is the lead investigator, determined to capture Larry Hughes despite personal threats. He receives a blackmail letter concerning Penelope and decides to keep it secret. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xvii) Informs Gertstein of Adèle's actions, refuses bribes and unethical suggestions, then falls asleep from exhaustion before being roused to pursue a suspect. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xviii) Conducts the interrogation of Stebbins, using a friendly demeanor and forensic techniques to extract a confession. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xx) Referenced as the detective Adèle attacked and who is investigating the crimes. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxi) Labar is advised by Winter to concentrate on capturing Larry Hughes, delegates his divisional duties to Myson, and begins a covert search in the Romney Marshes disguised as a naturalist. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxii) Disguises himself as a tramp, tracks the car to a house, evades the dog, and rescues Penelope. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxiii) Proposes to Penelope on the marsh; struggles between his role as a police officer and his love for her; offers to resign rather than compel her testimony. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxiv) Leaves Penelope with the constable's wife, shaves and changes clothes, then plans the manhunt. He scouts Mope's Bottom alone, breaks into the house, and is caught by Larry and Bungey. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxv) Captured and tied up by Larry's gang; remains defiant and tries to sow discord among the criminals. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxvi) Labar is tied up in the underground chamber, receives a penknife from Sophie Lengholm, cuts his bonds, attacks a gang member, seizes a weapon, and forces the gang to surrender. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxvii) Leads the police operation, coordinates with Kent Constabulary, and negotiates with the trapped gang members. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxviii) Leads the interrogation of prisoners, searches the tunnel, and is promoted to Chief Inspector. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxix) Leads the investigation, interviews Mrs. Gertstein, coordinates with Moreland, Winter, and the Assistant Commissioner, and races to save Penelope. ### [The Final Reckoning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxx) Leads the capture of Larry Hughes, manages the aftermath of the raid, and discusses his future with Penelope. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/harry_labar - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters