The Mystery of 31, New Inn · Character

Dr. Jervis

A struggling Kennington locum whose late-night call to a nameless patient pulls him out of shabby obscurity and into Thorndyke's orbit as witness and narrator.

major

Also known as Jervis

First appearance: The Mystery of 31, New Inn

As a major figure in The Mystery of 31, New Inn, Dr. Jervis is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Called to attend the mysterious patient at 31, New Inn; assists Thorndyke in the investigation.

In the storyThe Mystery of 31, New InnOpen this moment free

Jervis begins the book in a ground-floor consulting-room near Walworth, mud on his boots and a pipe he cannot yet smoke, covering another doctor's practice for pay. The Weiss summons — a note with no address, a cabman messenger, a patient he is not allowed to properly see — offends both his medical instincts and his curiosity, and he suspects poison almost from the first visit. His skepticism and his willingness to act on it are what carry the reader into the case before Thorndyke ever appears.

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Character Web

15 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Core investigation team
Peripheral figures and suspects

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it reveals the protagonist’s psychological peak of confusion an…

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In the story

Dr. Jervis appears across 16 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Mystery of 31, New Inn
Called to attend the mysterious patient at 31, New Inn; assists Thorndyke in the investigation.
The Mysterious Patient
The narrator and protagonist, a general practitioner who is called to attend a mysterious patient and later seeks Thorndyke's advice.
Thorndyke Devises a Scheme
Visits Thorndyke, accepts his offer to become junior, and seeks advice on the mysterious patient case.
A Chiel's Amang Ye Takin' Notes
Narrator and protagonist; prepares and uses Thorndyke's tracking apparatus, treats the poisoned patient, and observes the housekeeper's strange behavior.
IV: The Official View
Jervis reports the poisoning case to the police and is later consumed by epidemic work, delaying his departure to join Thorndyke.
Jeffrey Blackmore's Will
Joins Thorndyke as his assistant; attends the lunch and observes the discussion.
VII: The Cuneiform Inscription
Assists Thorndyke in searching the room, questions Thorndyke's approach, and reflects on the apparent impossibility of the case.
The Track Chart
Jervis recounts his earlier experiences in detail, provides the compass-bearing notes, and assists Thorndyke in plotting the chart.
The House of Mystery
Accompanies Thorndyke, assists in examining the house, and is warned to avoid being followed.
The Hunter Hunted
Narrator and protagonist; reflects on the evidence from the house of mystery, visits Kensington, attends a matinee, and encounters a suspicious woman in a teashop.
XI: The Blackmore Case Reviewed
Narrator and protagonist; struggles to concentrate on the Blackmore case due to his preoccupation with the Kennington Lane mystery.
The Portrait
Narrates the chapter, assists Polton with photographs, compares signatures, identifies Graves from the photograph, and is tasked by Thorndyke to analyze evidence from the empty house.
The Statement of Samuel Wilkins
Narrates the chapter; examines the spectacles and reed pieces, reflects on Thorndyke's abilities, and is fooled by Polton's disguise.
Thorndyke Lays the Mine
Narrates the chapter, expresses bewilderment at Thorndyke's claim, but maintains confidence in his colleague.
Thorndyke Explodes the Mine
Present during the exposition; his earlier adventures are recounted as part of the evidence.
An Exposition and a Tragedy
Identifies the portrait of Graves and provides key observations about Weiss's spectacles and the carriage.

Chapter companion notes

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