# Paul Renauld — The Murder on the Links character guide

> Paul Renauld in The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** M. Renauld, Renauld, M. Paul Renauld, old Mr. Renauld

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-an-appeal-for-help

## Snapshot

A wealthy Englishman in France whose midnight appointment with masked men ends in a shallow grave on the golf course, and whose past refuses to stay buried.

## Who they are

Renauld is the murdered man whose secret life sets the whole plot in motion: a millionaire with a beautiful neighbor, a nervous wife, and a son he means to separate from the girl he loves. He summons Poirot by letter, then dies before the detective can reach him, leaving behind a story of masked intruders and a mysterious 'secret.' His carefully constructed plans to escape his past become the very blueprint his killer uses, making him both victim and unwitting accomplice.

## In the story

### [The Murder on the Links](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/the-murder-on-the-links)

The murder victim; his body is discovered on the golf links with a knife in his back.

### [II: An Appeal for Help](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/ii-an-appeal-for-help)

Renauld's letter requesting help is the catalyst for the chapter; Poirot analyzes his postscript for hidden urgency.

### [IV: The Letter Signed "Bella"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/iv-the-letter-signed-bella)

The murdered man; his will, letter from Bella, and personal effects are central to the chapter's discoveries.

### [VI: The Scene of the Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/vi-the-scene-of-the-crime)

The victim; his body is discovered face down near a pit on the golf course, and his spade and gloves are found at the scene.

### [XX: An Amazing Statement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/xx-an-amazing-statement)

His actions before the murder are analyzed, including the quarrel with his son, the alteration of his will, and the visit from Bella Duveen.

### [XXI: Hercule Poirot on the Case!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/xxi-hercule-poirot-on-the-case)

Revealed to be Georges Conneau, who planned his own faked death but was actually murdered by an unknown assailant.

### [XXVI: I Receive a Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/xxvi-i-receive-a-letter)

The murder victim, referred to as 'Papa Renauld' in Dulcie's letter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/characters/paul_renauld
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/characters