The Murder on the Links · Character

M. Hautet

The gaunt examining magistrate who caresses his grey beard while presiding over interrogations, courteous to Poirot and quietly certain the case is nearly closed.

supporting

Also known as Hautet, M. le juge

First appearance: At the Villa Geneviève

As a supporting figure in The Murder on the Links, M. Hautet is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The examining magistrate who conducts the interrogation of the servants.

In the storyAt the Villa GenevièveOpen this moment free

As Juge d'Instruction, Hautet controls the legal machinery of the investigation — summoning witnesses, weighing evidence, deciding what the law will believe. He is gracious to Poirot and welcomes his help, yet his confidence that the truth is 'not far off' reveals a magistrate who trusts surfaces. His willingness to let two rival detectives work the same case keeps the inquiry open, and his interrogations become the stage on which the village's secrets are forced into speech.

See M. Hautet in At the Villa Geneviève Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Murder suspects and witnesses
Protagonist

+13 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where the narrator,…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Hercule Poirot
professional · positive
Poirot works alongside M. How this plays out →
M. Giraud
professional · ambivalent
Hercule Poirot
professional · positive
Poirot works alongside M. How this plays out →
M. Giraud
professional · ambivalent
Hercule Poirot
professional · positive
Poirot works alongside M. How this plays out →
M. Giraud
professional · ambivalent

Hercule Poirot
Poirot works alongside M. Hautet, the magistrate, sharing information and insights during the investigation.
M. Giraud
Giraud and Hautet work together on the case, though Giraud's arrogance often clashes with the magistrate's authority.
Hercule Poirot
Poirot works alongside M. Hautet, the magistrate, sharing information and insights during the investigation.
M. Giraud
Giraud and Hautet work together on the case, though Giraud's arrogance often clashes with the magistrate's authority.
Hercule Poirot
Poirot works alongside M. Hautet, the magistrate, sharing information and insights during the investigation.
M. Giraud
Giraud and Hautet work together on the case, though Giraud's arrogance often clashes with the magistrate's authority.

Relationship notes

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

See M. Hautet in At the Villa Geneviève

In the story

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

At the Villa Geneviève
The examining magistrate who conducts the interrogation of the servants.
IV: The Letter Signed "Bella"
The examining magistrate who presents the letter from Bella and discusses the conflicting testimonies of the servants.
V: Mrs. Renauld’s Story
Leads the questioning of Mrs. Renauld and expresses concern for her well-being during the identification.
VII: The Mysterious Madame Daubreuil
Examining magistrate; leads the questioning of Madame Daubreuil with calculated brutality.
IX: M. Giraud Finds Some Clues
Conducts the interrogation of Auguste and shares the story of the mysterious visitor and the 'Bella' letter.
X: Gabriel Stonor
The examining magistrate leading the interrogation of Stonor.
XI: Jack Renauld
Presides over the interrogation of Jack Renauld; expresses indignation at Hastings' irregular conduct in leaving the shed unlocked.
XIV: The Second Body
Arrives with the doctor and M. Bex, expressing astonishment at the second murder.
XV: A Photograph
Present at the shed, expresses surprise at the post-mortem stabbing, and compliments Poirot.
XXIV: “Save Him!”
Greets Poirot, discusses Jack's silence and Madame Renauld's condition, and forwards Marthe's letter.
An Unexpected Denouement
Presides over the examination, pressing Jack with incriminating evidence and enjoying his role as the voice of justice, but is interrupted by Bella Duveen's entrance.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for M. Hautet unlock in the free preview.

See M. Hautet in At the Villa Geneviève