# Mr. Jacob Martin — The Murders in Praed Street character guide

> Mr. Jacob Martin in The Murders in Praed Street by John Rhode.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Martin, Martin, this unfortunate Mr. Martin

**First appearance:** 0001-i-the-street

## Snapshot

A heavy-set former Praed Street tradesman who returns to the old neighborhood with a pistol in his pocket and a secret he intends to bury.

## Who they are

Martin once kept a shop in Praed Street and now returns after fifteen years, summoned to an empty house by a man named Lacey and armed with an automatic he is all too ready to use. Proud of his powers of intimidation, he is nevertheless unnerved by how much the street has changed and by the sinister reputation it has lately acquired. His private errand collides with the murders in a way that makes him both suspect and victim.

## In the story

### [Part I: The Crimes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/part-i-the-crimes)

Receives a blackmail letter and is later found dead.

### [At No. 407, Praed Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/viii-at-no-407-praed-street)

A prosperous wine merchant and secret receiver of stolen goods; receives a blackmail letter from 'John Lacey' about a discovery in the cellar of his former premises; arms himself and goes to meet Lacey at 407 Praed Street.

### [IX: A Strange Affair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/ix-a-strange-affair)

Found dead in the cellar; his death is suspected to be murder linked to the previous crimes.

### [X: At Scotland Yard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/x-at-scotland-yard)

His death is discussed; the inquest ruled suicide but Whyland suspects murder.

### [Part II: The Criminal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/part-ii-the-criminal)

Martin receives a blackmail letter, linking him to the unfolding criminal plot.

### [XXI: An Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xxi-an-explanation)

Victim lured to Praed Street via a blackmail letter; killed by a poison device in a cellar.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/characters/mr_jacob_martin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/characters