# Comte de la Roche — The Mystery of the Blue Train character guide > Comte de la Roche in The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Monsieur le Comte, the Comte, de la Roche, Armand **First appearance:** 0003-ii-m-le-marquis ## Snapshot A suave French aristocrat whose polished charm and rumored jewel dealings make him the natural suspect when a famous ruby vanishes from the Blue Train. ## Who they are The Comte de la Roche moves through Riviera society with an easy gallantry that masks a calculating eye, and his name is already whispered in connection with stolen gems before the murder. When Mirelle arrives at his villa to accuse him of killing Ruth Kettering, he parries her with languid composure, treating the charge as beneath his notice even as the police close in. His ambiguous position between gentleman and fence gives the early investigation its most seductive false trail. ## Relationships ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _rivalry_ The Comte is a prime suspect and tries to outmaneuver Poirot, leading to tense confrontations. ### [Katherine Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/katherine_grey) _psychological_ The Comte attempts to charm and manipulate Katherine for his own ends. ### [Derek Kettering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/derek_kettering) _rivalry_ The Comte and Derek are bitter rivals over Ruth and her fortune, each suspecting the other of murder. ### [Ruth Kettering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/ruth_kettering) _romantic_ The Comte is Ruth's lover, but his motives are largely financial and manipulative. ### [Mirelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/mirelle) _romantic_ Mirelle is the Comte's former lover and a dancer, with a volatile and jealous relationship. ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _rivalry_ The Comte is a prime suspect and tries to outmaneuver Poirot, leading to tense confrontations. ### [Ruth Kettering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/ruth_kettering) _romantic_ The Comte is Ruth's lover, but his motives are largely financial and manipulative. ### [Derek Kettering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/derek_kettering) _rivalry_ The Comte and Derek are bitter rivals over Ruth and her fortune, each suspecting the other of murder. ### [Mirelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/mirelle) _romantic_ Mirelle is the Comte's former lover and a dancer, with a volatile and jealous relationship. ### [Katherine Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/katherine_grey) _psychological_ The Comte attempts to charm and manipulate Katherine for his own ends. ### [Katherine Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/katherine_grey) _psychological_ The Comte attempts to charm and manipulate Katherine for his own ends. ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _rivalry_ The Comte is a prime suspect and tries to outmaneuver Poirot, leading to tense confrontations. ## In the story ### [VI: Mirelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/vi-mirelle) Mentioned by Mirelle as Ruth's former lover, with whom she allegedly plans to meet in Paris. ### [XIV: Ada Mason's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xiv-ada-mason-s-story) Implicitly referenced as 'Armand' in the letter found in Ruth's handbag, which mentions the rubies and a planned meeting. ### [The Comte de la Roche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xv-the-comte-de-la-roche) Discussed as the prime suspect; known as a swindler with a fatal fascination for women, currently at the Villa Marina in Antibes. ### [XVI: Poirot Discusses the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xvi-poirot-discusses-the-case) The primary suspect according to the police; Poirot questions this theory. ### [An Aristocratic Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xvii-an-aristocratic-gentleman) Interrogated about his movements; provides an alibi and is released, though the police plan to shadow him. ### [An Unexpected Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xix-an-unexpected-visitor) The Comte is at his villa, finishing déjeuner and pondering his disrupted plans. He is visited by Mirelle, who accuses Derek Kettering of murder. He later takes precautions by hiding and mailing a package, and notes that his rooms have been searched by the police. ### [At the Tennis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxi-at-the-tennis) Implied to have mailed the rubies; his alibi remains unshaken. ### [M. Papopolous Breakfasts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxii-m-papopolous-breakfasts) Mentioned as the person from whom Poirot obtained the imitation rubies. ### [XXV: Defiance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxv-defiance) Attempts to blackmail Derek with vague threats and claims of information from Mirelle. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/comte_de_la_roche - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters