The Man in the Queue · Character

Gerald Lamont

The cheerful, well-liked boarder who vanishes after Sorrell's murder and becomes the Yard's most wanted man, protesting his innocence from the first.

major

Also known as Jerry Lamont, Lamont, Jerry

First appearance: i murder

As a major figure in The Man in the Queue, Gerald Lamont is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Sorrell's friend and roommate; identified in a photograph as the man Grant chased; described as bright and cheerful.

In the storyMrs. EverettOpen this moment free

See Gerald Lamont in Mrs. Everett Book page

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Lamont shared rooms with Bert Sorrell for four years, the bright one to Sorrell's quiet spells, and left Mrs. Everett's house the morning of the murder bound for new lodgings. His statement in the train carries a conviction Grant cannot quite dismiss, even as the left-handedness, the quarrel, and the scar stack up against him. Whether he is a hunted innocent or a convincing liar is the question the whole case turns on.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Gerald Lamont sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Gerald Lamont in i murder

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Gerald Lamont sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Social
Other

Character groups

Primary suspects and witnesses
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Grant reaches his psychological peak here because his conscious mind, which has successfully completed the cas…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Inspector Grant
professional · ambivalent
Gerald Lamont is a suspect interviewed by Inspector Grant, maintaining a formal and… How this plays out →
Bert Sorrell
social · ambivalent
Mrs. Everett
social · ambivalent
Ray Marcable
social · ambivalent
Inspector Grant
professional · ambivalent
Gerald Lamont is a suspect interviewed by Inspector Grant, maintaining a formal and… How this plays out →
Inspector Grant
professional · ambivalent
Gerald Lamont is a suspect interviewed by Inspector Grant, maintaining a formal and… How this plays out →
Bert Sorrell
social · ambivalent
Mrs. Everett
social · ambivalent
Bert Sorrell
social · ambivalent
Ray Marcable
social · ambivalent
Mrs. Everett
social · ambivalent

Inspector Grant
Gerald Lamont is a suspect interviewed by Inspector Grant, maintaining a formal and cautious interaction.
Bert Sorrell
Bert Sorrell and Gerald Lamont are acquaintances or fellow suspects, sharing a connection through the murder case.
Mrs. Everett
Gerald Lamont and Mrs. Everett are linked through the murder case, possibly as acquaintances or co-suspects.
Ray Marcable
Gerald Lamont and Ray Marcable are acquaintances or fellow suspects, sharing a connection through the murder case.
Inspector Grant
Gerald Lamont is a suspect interviewed by Inspector Grant, maintaining a formal and cautious interaction.
Inspector Grant
Gerald Lamont is a suspect interviewed by Inspector Grant, maintaining a formal and cautious interaction.
Bert Sorrell
Bert Sorrell and Gerald Lamont are acquaintances or fellow suspects, sharing a connection through the murder case.
Mrs. Everett
Gerald Lamont and Mrs. Everett are linked through the murder case, possibly as acquaintances or co-suspects.
Bert Sorrell
Bert Sorrell and Gerald Lamont are acquaintances or fellow suspects, sharing a connection through the murder case.
Ray Marcable
Gerald Lamont and Ray Marcable are acquaintances or fellow suspects, sharing a connection through the murder case.
Mrs. Everett
Gerald Lamont and Mrs. Everett are linked through the murder case, possibly as acquaintances or co-suspects.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Gerald Lamont in i murder

In the story

Gerald Lamont appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Mrs. Everett
Sorrell's friend and roommate; identified in a photograph as the man Grant chased; described as bright and cheerful.
IX: Grant Gets More Information Than He Expected
The wanted man; Grant believes Mrs. Everett provided him with a new hiding place after warning him of the investigation.
X: The Burst to the North
Suspect believed to have fled to Carninnish; Grant follows him.
XI: Carninnish
The suspect, believed to be staying at the manse; Grant hopes to verify a scar on his left hand.
Capture
Escapes Grant by throwing pepper in his eyes, flees across the moor, and is captured after diving from a boat and injuring his head.
XIII: Marking Time
Lamont is recovering from his injury, conscious and cooperative; he believes Sorrell was killed by mistake and expresses regret for running.
XIV: The Statement
Gives his statement, appears exhausted and ill, signs each page with a shaky hand, and is handcuffed during the journey.
XV: The Brooch
His story to Mrs. Everett matches his earlier statement; Barker dismisses it as thin.
XVI: Miss Dinmont Assists
Brought into court looking ill but collected; acknowledges Grant with a slight smile; remanded and led out.
Solution
Brought up again at Gowbridge Police Court; his counsel protests the statement taken from him, arguing he was unfit due to concussion.
Conclusion
Exonerated; Grant is relieved that Lamont will be freed.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Gerald Lamont unlock in the free preview.

See Gerald Lamont in i murder

See Gerald Lamont in Mrs. Everett