# Bert Sorrell — The Man in the Queue character guide

> Bert Sorrell in The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bert, Sorrell, Bertie

**First appearance:** 0000-i-murder

## Snapshot

A quiet, sometimes mopy man who booked passage to America, left his cash in a sealed parcel, and slipped out of London on the night of the murder.

## Who they are

Sorrell lived eight years with Mrs. Everett and four with Lamont, a steady presence who insisted no one see him off at Southampton. He handed his landlady a parcel of money with instructions not to open it, a gesture that reads as either prudent or ominous once he disappears. Grant's nagging worry that the case is too neat begins with Sorrell, whose real intentions and real friends remain stubbornly out of focus.

## Relationships

### [Inspector Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters/inspector_grant)

_rivalry_

Bert Sorrell is a suspect who clashes with Inspector Grant, creating tension and opposition during the investigation.

### [Gerald Lamont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters/gerald_lamont)

_social_

Bert Sorrell and Gerald Lamont are acquaintances or fellow suspects, sharing a connection through the murder case.

### [Mrs. Everett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters/mrs_everett)

_social_

Bert Sorrell and Mrs. Everett are connected through the murder case, possibly as acquaintances or co-suspects.

### [Ray Marcable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters/ray_marcable)

_social_

Bert Sorrell and Ray Marcable are acquaintances or fellow suspects, sharing a connection through the murder investigation.

### [Inspector Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters/inspector_grant)

_rivalry_

Bert Sorrell is a suspect who clashes with Inspector Grant, creating tension and opposition during the investigation.

### [Mrs. Everett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters/mrs_everett)

_social_

Bert Sorrell and Mrs. Everett are connected through the murder case, possibly as acquaintances or co-suspects.

### [Gerald Lamont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters/gerald_lamont)

_social_

Bert Sorrell and Gerald Lamont are acquaintances or fellow suspects, sharing a connection through the murder case.

### [Gerald Lamont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters/gerald_lamont)

_social_

Bert Sorrell and Gerald Lamont are acquaintances or fellow suspects, sharing a connection through the murder case.

### [Inspector Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters/inspector_grant)

_rivalry_

Bert Sorrell is a suspect who clashes with Inspector Grant, creating tension and opposition during the investigation.

## In the story

### [VII: Things Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/chapters/vii-things-move)

His locked office in Minley Street is the focus of Grant's investigation; he has not been seen for over a fortnight.

### [Mrs. Everett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/chapters/viii-mrs-everett)

Reported to have left for America; shared rooms with Lamont; quiet and sometimes mopey.

### [IX: Grant Gets More Information Than He Expected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/chapters/ix-grant-gets-more-information-than-he-expected)

Deceased; his books and belongings were found in Lamont's flat, indicating a prior friendship.

### [XIV: The Statement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/chapters/xiv-the-statement)

Mentioned as the deceased; Grant considers the possibility of his intended suicide and the need to examine his luggage.

### [XV: The Brooch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/chapters/xv-the-brooch)

Described as quiet and jealous; a small parcel was delivered to him before his departure, possibly the returned brooch.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/chapters/xviii-conclusion)

Revealed to have planned the murder of Ray Marcable and his own suicide, driven by unrequited love.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters/bert_sorrell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/characters