# The Narrator — The Murder at the Vicarage character guide > The Narrator in The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie. **Role:** major **Also known as:** I, me, myself, mine **First appearance:** 0001-the-murder-at-the-vicarage ## Snapshot The vicar of St. Mary Mead, whose dry, self-deprecating account of a village murder begins with him joking that Protheroe's killer would be doing the world a service. ## Who they are He is the parish clergyman, married to a wife twenty years his junior and frankly baffled by her, and it is his study where Colonel Protheroe is found shot. His mild, ironic voice records everything — the gossip, the inquest, the police fumbling — while he privately doubts his own fitness for marriage and ministry. Because everyone confides in a vicar, he becomes the quiet conduit through which the reader learns how much St. Mary Mead is hiding. ## In the story ### [The Murder at the Vicarage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/the-murder-at-the-vicarage) The vicar and narrator of the story, who discovers the body and recounts the events. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/i) The Vicar, who jokingly wishes Colonel Protheroe dead and is concerned about church accounts. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/ii) The vicar; reflects on the gossip and defends charity; later muses on Dr. Stone and his own dislike of Hawes. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/iii) Discovers Lawrence and Anne kissing, counsels Anne, visits Mrs. Lestrange, and discusses village gossip with Griselda. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/iv) Hosts Lawrence Redding for dinner, counsels him to leave the village, and later receives a call to visit a dying parishioner. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/v) Discovers Protheroe's body, tries to inform Inspector Slack about the clock being fast, but is silenced. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/vii) The Vicar participates in the discussion about the murder timeline and Redding's confession. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/ix) Accompanies Colonel Melchett to Miss Marple's house and provides commentary on the interactions. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/x) Defends Miss Marple's knowledge to Melchett, interviews Mary about the shot, and discusses the case with Griselda. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xi) Recalls touching the cold body and reflects on the clock discrepancy; engages with Miss Marple's theory. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xiii) The vicar accompanies Colonel Melchett to the police station and observes Mrs. Price Ridley's complaint. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xiv) The narrator reflects on social prejudices, discusses the case with Haydock, and receives a note from Mrs. Lestrange. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xv) Visits Mrs. Lestrange and later speaks with Mr. Hawes about the murder. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xvii) The vicar receives Inspector Slack's updates and visits Miss Marple. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xviii) Attends the inquest and later accompanies Dr. Stone to the station. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xix) The Vicar listens to Lawrence's story and reflects on Mrs. Lestrange's charm and the human tendency to protect attractive women. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xx) Returns to the Vicarage, mediates the domestic crisis with Mary, and later discovers a blue earring in the study. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxi) Hosts the dinner conversation and learns that the man he thought was Dr. Stone is an impostor. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxii) The vicar observes the events, examines the slashed portrait, and confronts Lettice about the earring. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxiii) Investigates the valuation of Old Hall's contents and explores a trail in the woods, suspecting Dr. Stone or Miss Cram. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxiv) Returns to the Vicarage, deals with Hawes's anxiety, receives notes from parishioners, and listens to Griselda's confession. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxv) Visits the police station, Mrs. Price Ridley, Dr. Haydock, Miss Hartnell, and Miss Wetherby; gathers information about the case. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxvi) Preaches an emotional sermon and later discusses the case with Miss Marple. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxvii) Returns home alone, receives Melchett, learns of the forgery, and answers the mysterious phone call. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxviii) Hurries to Hawes's lodging, discovers the confession and anonymous letter, and telephones Melchett. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxix) Discovers Hawes overdosed and the incriminating letter; initially believes Hawes is guilty. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxxi) Present during the planning of the trap and escorts Miss Marple home. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/characters/unknown_narrator - 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