The Pit-Prop Syndicate · Character

Madeleine Coburn

The sawmill manager's daughter, caught between a suitor she cannot accept and a father whose business she cannot quite defend.

supporting

Also known as Miss Coburn, Madeleine

First appearance: The Visit of the Girondin

As a supporting figure in The Pit-Prop Syndicate, Madeleine Coburn is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Met by Merriman during the cruise; becomes a romantic interest and later refuses his proposal.

In the storyPart I: The AmateursOpen this moment free

See Madeleine Coburn in Part I: The Amateurs Book page

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With Merriman (romantic): Madeleine Coburn and Merriman share a close, possibly romantic relationship, given their high interaction frequency and emotional undertones. With Merriman (romantic): Madeleine Coburn and Merriman share a close, possibly romantic relationship, given their high interaction frequency and emotional undertones. With Merriman (romantic): Madeleine Coburn and Merriman share a close, possibly romantic relationship, given their high interaction frequency and emotional undertones.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Madeleine Coburn sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Madeleine Coburn in The Visit of the Girondin

Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Romantic
Other

Character groups

Syndicate members and associates
Minor syndicate contacts
Protagonist

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In "The Pit Prop Syndicate," Part II: The Professionals marks the dramatic climax because it reveals the emoti…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Merriman
romantic · positive
Madeleine Coburn and Merriman share a close, possibly romantic relationship, given their… How this plays out →
Merriman
romantic · positive
Madeleine Coburn and Merriman share a close, possibly romantic relationship, given their… How this plays out →
Merriman
romantic · positive
Madeleine Coburn and Merriman share a close, possibly romantic relationship, given their… How this plays out →

Merriman
Madeleine Coburn and Merriman share a close, possibly romantic relationship, given their high interaction frequency and emotional undertones.
Merriman
Madeleine Coburn and Merriman share a close, possibly romantic relationship, given their high interaction frequency and emotional undertones.
Merriman
Madeleine Coburn and Merriman share a close, possibly romantic relationship, given their high interaction frequency and emotional undertones.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Madeleine Coburn in The Visit of the Girondin

In the story

Madeleine Coburn appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Part I: The Amateurs
Met by Merriman during the cruise; becomes a romantic interest and later refuses his proposal.
The Sawmill on the Lesque
A young woman living near the sawmill; she assists Merriman with petrol and deflects questions about the lorry driver's behavior.
An Interesting Suggestion
Mentioned by Merriman; her clear eyes and embarrassed behavior when questioned about the driver suggest she knows something about the incident.
The Start of the Cruise
Mentioned in Merriman's thoughts and in the discussion; Hilliard suggests she may be in danger due to her knowledge of the lorry affair.
A Commercial Proposition
Shows anxiety and constraint despite her composure; exchanges warning glances with her father and the driver.
The Visit of the Girondin
Joins the friends and her father on excursions; Merriman's romantic interest in her deepens.
A Change of Venue
Madeleine is suspected of being involved in the plot to distract the friends; Merriman's affection for her complicates the investigation.
IX: The Second Cargo
Referenced as the reason Merriman wants to avoid police involvement.
X: Merriman Becomes Desperate
Reveals her love for Merriman but refuses his proposal due to her father's peril; shares her theory about forged notes.
An Unexpected Ally
Meets Merriman in the lane, admits she loves him but refuses him due to fear of disgrace from her father's syndicate involvement. She flees when a lorry approaches.
XII: Murder!
Mentioned indirectly via the photograph found in the victim's pocketbook; Willis seeks to trace her.
A Promising Clue
Provides details about her father's financial troubles and his role in the syndicate; is grieving and staying with an aunt in Eastbourne.
XIV: A Mystifying Discovery
Her surmise about her father's employment is confirmed by Willis's inquiries.
XIX: Willis Spreads His Net
Recovering from her father's death; reluctantly agrees to write a deceptive letter to Captain Beamish to expose the syndicate.
XX: The Double Cross
Marries Merriman at Holy Trinity Church, Eastbourne, following the conclusion of the case.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Madeleine Coburn unlock in the free preview.

See Madeleine Coburn in The Visit of the Girondin

See Madeleine Coburn in Part I: The Amateurs