# John Brake — The Paradise Mystery character guide

> John Brake in The Paradise Mystery by J. S. Fletcher.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Brake, John Brake

**First appearance:** 0000-i-only-the-guardian

## Snapshot

A former bank manager who served time for embezzlement, he came to Wrychester chasing two men who wronged him and never mentioned the children he left behind.

## Who they are

Brake is the absent center of the mystery: a convicted embezzler, a secret husband and father, and a man Glassdale knew for years without ever hearing of his family. His silence about Mary Bewery and young Ransford's wards is the fact Bryce cannot explain, and his hunt for the men who deceived him gives the Wrychester affair its motive. Everything the investigators learn about him makes him more elusive, not less.

## Relationships

### [Mary Bewery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/characters/mary_bewery)

_friendship_

John Brake is a loyal friend to Mary, often defending her and offering support during the mystery.

### [Barthorpe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/characters/barthorpe)

_rivalry_

Barthorpe and John Brake are romantic rivals for Mary's affection, leading to tension and competition.

### [Dr. Mark Ransford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/characters/dr_mark_ransford)

_rivalry_

Dr. Ransford and John Brake are adversaries, with Ransford viewing Brake as an obstacle to his plans involving Mary.

### [Mary Bewery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/characters/mary_bewery)

_friendship_

John Brake is a loyal friend to Mary, often defending her and offering support during the mystery.

### [Barthorpe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/characters/barthorpe)

_rivalry_

Barthorpe and John Brake are romantic rivals for Mary's affection, leading to tension and competition.

### [Dr. Mark Ransford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/characters/dr_mark_ransford)

_rivalry_

Dr. Ransford and John Brake are adversaries, with Ransford viewing Brake as an obstacle to his plans involving Mary.

## In the story

### [XI: The Back Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/xi-the-back-room)

Bryce lies to Mitchington about Braden's visit, claiming he only asked for directions to the Cathedral Library.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/characters/john_brake
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/characters