The Murder on the Links · Character

Mrs. Renauld

Paul Renauld's dignified widow, bound and gagged on the night of the murder, whose composed testimony conceals a fierce and terrible loyalty.

major

Also known as Madame Renauld, Elinor Renauld

First appearance: iv the letter signed bella

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

Found tied and gagged in her bedroom; gives her account of the night's events to Poirot.

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Madame Renauld survives the attack that kills her husband and gives the police their first account: masked men, a secret, a demand for papers. She is a great woman, Poirot observes, playing her part with such resolute anguish that no one suspects how much she is hiding. Her composure under interrogation and her willingness to admit her husband's mistress to protect a deeper secret make her the emotional center of the case and the key to its most guarded truth.

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See Mrs. Renauld in iv the letter signed bella

Character Web

21 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Murder suspects and witnesses
Protagonist

+16 more in the full Character Web

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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,…

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In the story

Mrs. Renauld appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Murder on the Links
Found tied and gagged in her bedroom; gives her account of the night's events to Poirot.
V: Mrs. Renauld’s Story
Provides a detailed account of the attack, shows strong self-control, and faints upon identifying her husband's body.
X: Gabriel Stonor
Enters the room and shockingly admits Madame Daubreuil may have been her husband's mistress.
XI: Jack Renauld
Embraces her son upon his arrival; reveals she feared his attachment to Marthe Daubreuil and expresses disapproval of the mother's doubtful antecedents.
XII: Poirot Elucidates Certain Points
Discussed as a suspect; Poirot concludes her grief was genuine but that she lied about the time of the crime and is shielding someone.
XIV: The Second Body
Brought to identify the body but remains calm and denies recognizing the victim.
XIX: I Use My Grey Cells
Descends the stairs, sees her son arrested, and collapses, cutting her head.
XXI: Hercule Poirot on the Case!
Praised by Poirot for her self-command and loyalty; she played a key role in the deception and is now recovering.
XXVII: Jack Renauld's Story
Renounces Jack publicly, blaming him for her husband's death.
XXVIII: Journey’s End
Supports Jack through the revelations and is advised by Poirot to tell him the truth about his father.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Renauld in iv the letter signed bella

See Mrs. Renauld in The Murder on the Links