# Lois Drew — The Ponson Case character guide > Lois Drew in The Ponson Case by Freeman Wills Crofts. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Miss Lois Drew, Miss Lois, Miss Drew, Lois Drew, Lois **First appearance:** 0000-i-mystery-at-luce-manor ## Snapshot A woman of formidable intellect whose affection for Austin and cool powers of deduction make her the investigation's most valuable unofficial ally. ## Who they are Lois listens to Daunt's account without flinching, then reconstructs the murderer's movements with a precision that leaves him marvelling at her grip. She reasons that the killer must have known the family, resembled Austin, and possessed her handwriting — and concludes that only Cosgrove fits. Her admitted dislike of the man does not weaken her argument, and her willingness to name him aloud shows a resolve that the men around her struggle to match. ## Relationships ### [Jimmy Daunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/jimmy_daunt) _romantic_ Jimmy and Lois share a passionate romantic relationship, with many interactions suggesting deep emotional involvement. ### [Inspector Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/inspector_tanner) _professional_ Tanner interviews Lois as a witness and potential suspect, probing her connection to the Ponson family. ### [Austin Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/austin_ponson) _social_ Austin and Lois are acquaintances within the same social circle, possibly with underlying romantic or friendly tension. ### [Cosgrove Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/cosgrove_ponson) _romantic_ Cosgrove is romantically interested in Lois, creating a love triangle with Jimmy Daunt. ### [Jimmy Daunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/jimmy_daunt) _romantic_ Jimmy and Lois share a passionate romantic relationship, with many interactions suggesting deep emotional involvement. ### [Austin Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/austin_ponson) _social_ Austin and Lois are acquaintances within the same social circle, possibly with underlying romantic or friendly tension. ### [Jimmy Daunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/jimmy_daunt) _romantic_ Jimmy and Lois share a passionate romantic relationship, with many interactions suggesting deep emotional involvement. ### [Inspector Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/inspector_tanner) _professional_ Tanner interviews Lois as a witness and potential suspect, probing her connection to the Ponson family. ### [Inspector Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/inspector_tanner) _professional_ Tanner interviews Lois as a witness and potential suspect, probing her connection to the Ponson family. ### [Cosgrove Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/cosgrove_ponson) _romantic_ Cosgrove is romantically interested in Lois, creating a love triangle with Jimmy Daunt. ### [Austin Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/austin_ponson) _social_ Austin and Lois are acquaintances within the same social circle, possibly with underlying romantic or friendly tension. ### [Cosgrove Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/cosgrove_ponson) _romantic_ Cosgrove is romantically interested in Lois, creating a love triangle with Jimmy Daunt. ## In the story ### [III: Hoaxed?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/iii-hoaxed) Mentioned as Austin's secret fiancée; her name is used in the hoax note. ### [IV: Inspector Tanner Grows Suspicious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/iv-inspector-tanner-grows-suspicious) Austin's fiancée; her social standing was a point of contention with Sir William. ### [Inspector Tanner Becomes Convinced](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/v-inspector-tanner-becomes-convinced) Austin's fiancée; Tanner interviews her to confirm Austin's alibi and finds her credible. ### [IX: Lois Drew Takes a Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/ix-lois-drew-takes-a-hand) Receives Austin's letter breaking their engagement; resolves to stand by him and writes to Inspector Tanner insisting the engagement continue and declaring her belief in his innocence. ### [X: A Woman's Wit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/x-a-woman-s-wit) Drives the investigation, theorizes Cosgrove is the murderer, and insists on finding a flaw in his alibi. ### [XIII: Blackmail?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xiii-blackmail) Referenced as having worked with Daunt to expose Cosgrove's alibi; Tanner acknowledges her as 'that splendid girl'. ### [A Dramatic Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xiv-a-dramatic-discovery) Present during the confrontation at the police station, representing the Ponson family. ### [In the Luce Manor Boathouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xv-in-the-luce-manor-boathouse) Sends a letter to Austin expressing her unwavering feelings despite the revelations about his birth. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xvi-conclusion) Marries Austin Ponson on December 29, 1920. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/lois_drew - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters