The Murder at the Vicarage · Character

Dennis Clement

The vicar's irreverent nephew, quick with a joke about murder at the luncheon table — and just as quick to be reminded of it later.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Dennis, dear Mr. Clement, Clement, Mr. Clement, Mr. Dennis Clement

First appearance: the murder at the vicarage

As a supporting figure in The Murder at the Vicarage, Dennis Clement is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The Vicar's young nephew, who jokes about the murder wish and later leaves for tennis.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

Dennis is the young curate whose flippant remark that anyone murdering Colonel Protheroe would be doing the world a service becomes an uncomfortable echo once the Colonel is actually dead. He is bright, alert, and perpetually underfoot at the Vicarage, part of the household texture that makes the crime feel domestic rather than remote. His presence sharpens the novel's dark comedy: the village jokes about murder, and then must live inside one.

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Miss Marple’s quiet rebuttal—comparing Raymond West’s metaphor of a “stagnant pool” to his own writing—marks t…

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In the story

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

I
IV
VI
VIII
XII
XIV
XX
XXII
+3 more

I
The Vicar's young nephew, who jokes about the murder wish and later leaves for tennis.
IV
Joins the dinner, makes jokes about Dr. Stone and Miss Cram, and later expresses disgust at village gossip.
VI
Dennis returns from tennis, excited by the murder, and searches for footprints in the garden.
VIII
Receives Anne's urgent note and brings Melchett and Haydock to Old Hall.
XII
Briefly appears to ask about a footprint, but is dismissed by Inspector Slack.
XIV
Dennis discusses Lettice Protheroe's worry and jokes about the telephone call to Mrs. Price Ridley.
XX
Present in the hall; defends Lettice and expresses admiration for her.
XXII
At breakfast, expresses hope the murderer is never caught and repeats Dr. Haydock's view that he would never give up a murderer.
XXVI
Accompanies Griselda to Miss Marple's and retrieves the note.
Miss Marple's Revelation
The vicar and narrator, who listens to Miss Marple's revelation and recalls his own encounter with Lawrence Redding in the woods.
XXXII
The narrator; reflects on the case and his relationship with Griselda.

Chapter companion notes

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See Dennis Clement in the murder at the vicarage

See Dennis Clement in I