# Dennis Clement — The Murder at the Vicarage character guide

> Dennis Clement in The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0001-the-murder-at-the-vicarage

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/i)

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

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/iv)

Joins the dinner, makes jokes about Dr. Stone and Miss Cram, and later expresses disgust at village gossip.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/vi)

Dennis returns from tennis, excited by the murder, and searches for footprints in the garden.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/viii)

Receives Anne's urgent note and brings Melchett and Haydock to Old Hall.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xii)

Briefly appears to ask about a footprint, but is dismissed by Inspector Slack.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xiv)

Dennis discusses Lettice Protheroe's worry and jokes about the telephone call to Mrs. Price Ridley.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xx)

Present in the hall; defends Lettice and expresses admiration for her.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxvi)

Accompanies Griselda to Miss Marple's and retrieves the note.

### [Miss Marple's Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxx)

The vicar and narrator, who listens to Miss Marple's revelation and recalls his own encounter with Lawrence Redding in the woods.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxxii)

The narrator; reflects on the case and his relationship with Griselda.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/characters/dennis_clement
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/characters