# Anthony Gethryn — The Rasp character guide > Anthony Gethryn in The Rasp by Philip MacDonald. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Anthony Ruthven Gethryn, Mr. Anthony Gethryn, Gethryn **First appearance:** 0003-i-tolling-the-bell ## Snapshot A brilliant amateur detective who trusts his own unease more than Scotland Yard's airtight case, and won't rest while a man he believes innocent sits in a cell. ## Who they are Gethryn moves through Marling as an old friend of the Yard and a gentleman of the village, which lets him press Boyd for the wood-rasp and the fingerprint enlargements while everyone else considers the murder solved. He admits he is groping in the dark, yet the certainty of his doubt — that Deacon's guilt is too neat, too convenient — sets him against the official story. His stubborn refusal to accept an easy answer is the engine that keeps the case from closing in the early chapters. ## Relationships ### [Sir Arthur Digby-Coates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/sir_arthur_digby_coates) _professional_ Anthony Gethryn works as a detective investigating the murder of Sir Arthur Digby-Coates, with frequent interactions driven by the case. ### [Lucia Lemesurier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/lucia_lemesurier) _romantic_ Anthony Gethryn and Lucia Lemesurier share a romantic relationship, with deep emotional connection and mutual affection. ### [Colonel Gethryn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/colonel_gethryn) _family_ Colonel Gethryn is Anthony Gethryn's father, and they have a close familial bond with frequent interactions. ### [Mr. Deacon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/mr_deacon) _professional_ Mr. Deacon is a colleague or associate of Anthony Gethryn, likely involved in the investigation or related professional matters. ### [Miss Dora Masterson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/miss_dora_masterson) _social_ Miss Dora Masterson is an acquaintance of Anthony Gethryn, interacting frequently within the social circle of the story. ### [Miss Margaret Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/miss_margaret_warren) _social_ Miss Margaret Warren is a social acquaintance of Anthony Gethryn, interacting within the story's social dynamics. ### [John Hoode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/john_hoode) _friendship_ John Hoode is a friend or ally of Anthony Gethryn, with interactions suggesting mutual support and camaraderie. ### [Mr. Hastings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/mr_hastings) _social_ Mr. Hastings is a social acquaintance of Anthony Gethryn, interacting within the broader social network of the story. ### [Madam Vander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/madam_vander) _social_ Madam Vander is a social acquaintance of Anthony Gethryn, with interactions suggesting a formal or casual social connection. ### [Mrs. Roland Mainwaring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/mrs_roland_mainwaring) _social_ Mrs. Roland Mainwaring is a social acquaintance of Anthony Gethryn, interacting within the story's social circles. ### [Mr. Belford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/mr_belford) _professional_ Mr. Belford is a professional associate of Anthony Gethryn, likely involved in the investigation or related matters. ### [Mr. Lucas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/mr_lucas) _professional_ Mr. Lucas is a professional contact of Anthony Gethryn, interacting in the context of the investigation or related work. ## In the story ### [The Rasp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/the-rasp) The detective arrives at Marling and begins his investigation, examining the study and noting key evidence. ### [Tolling the Bell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i-tolling-the-bell) Agrees to help The Owl after being persuaded by Margaret Warren. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Receives a phone call from Hastings and Margaret Warren; agrees to come to the office despite his annoyance. ### [II: Anthony Gethryn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii-anthony-gethryn) Protagonist; described as a man of action and dreamer, with a mixed heritage, academic brilliance, war heroism, and post-war search for purpose. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) The protagonist who accepts the role of Special Commissioner for The Owl and drives to Marling to investigate the murder. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Arrives at Marling, investigates the murder, and reunites with Sir Arthur Digby-Coates. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii) Arrives at Marling, discusses the case with Inspector Boyd, and begins his investigation. ### [IV: Study](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iv-study) Enters the study, examines the body and the room, deduces that the struggle was staged and that Hoode was killed while seated at his desk. ### [The Lady of the Sandal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/v-the-lady-of-the-sandal) Discovers evidence outside the study window and a sandal in the river; joins lunch at the Lemesurier house and steers conversation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Investigates the garden, finds finger-holes, a woman's hair, and a rope-soled sandal; deduces the murderer may have swum the river. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Accompanies Sir Arthur to Lucia's house; is deeply affected by Lucia's beauty and composure; later finds a sandal near the river and is invited to lunch. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii) Takes charge of the lunch, tells a story about Constantinople, and covertly interrogates Lucia about her swimming trophies, causing her to faint. He feels a strong emotional reaction after carrying her. ### [Secretary and the Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/vi-secretary-and-the-sister) Interviews Deacon, encounters Laura Hoode, and learns from Boyd about the broken alibi. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) The detective who is skeptical of the evidence against Deacon and decides to investigate the case further. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Investigates the study, discovers a secret drawer, and interviews Deacon; grows fatigued and perplexed by the case. ### [VII: The Prejudiced Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/vii-the-prejudiced-detective) Visits Lucia Lemesurier, declares himself a prejudiced detective in her favor, deduces her nighttime activities, and makes a phone call to Hastings about Jimmy Masterson. ### [The Inefficiency of Margaret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/viii-the-inefficiency-of-margaret) Receives Hastings's phone call confirming Masterson's alibi; discusses the case with Lucia, reflecting on the complexity of the evidence. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as having left a message for Hastings regarding the murder investigation. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) His message is relayed by Margaret; he is investigating and has given an address. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iv) Spends the evening with Lucia, receives Hastings' phone call, and arranges for Lucia to visit her brother. ### [IX: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ix-the-inquest) Leads the investigation, writes to Lucia, attends inquest briefly, and later interrogates Hastings and Margaret about the proceedings. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Sends a note to Lucia, promising to clear Deacon and advising against attending the inquest. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Leaves the Bear and Key, enters the inquest, nods to Boyd, shakes hands with Deacon, ignores Hastings and Margaret Warren, then quietly exits to search the upper floors. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii) Leads the discussion, expresses skepticism about Deacon's guilt, and plans further investigation. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iv) Drives Lucia to London, reveals his search of the house during the inquest, and returns to Marling. ### [X: Birds of the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/x-birds-of-the-air) Returns from London, learns of Deacon's arrest, interviews Laura Hoode and encounters Mrs. Mainwaring. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Returns from London, learns of Deacon's arrest, and begins investigating the murder. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Confronts Laura Hoode about the hidden letters, using psychological pressure to extract her confession. He expresses distaste for his own methods but remains determined to solve the murder. ### [The Bow and Arrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xi-the-bow-and-arrow) Examines the study's table scar, deduces inconsistencies with the wood-rasp, and later discovers hidden evidence in the rasp's handle. ### [Exhibits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xii-exhibits) Visits Deacon in jail, examines evidence, and later intercepts Dora Masterson on the road. ### [XIII: Irons in the Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xiii-irons-in-the-fire) Comforts Dora Masterson and later visits Jimmy Masterson to investigate the newspaper cuttings. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) The detective, tired but determined, comforts Dora Masterson and shares fragmented clues from the case. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Visits Hastings's flat, confronts Lucia, and interviews Jimmy Masterson about the press cuttings. ### [XIV: Hay-Fever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xiv-hay-fever) Rushes to Fleet Street, visits the Regency theatre, reviews the inquest report, drives to Marling, and confronts Belford. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Bursts into Hastings' office, gives urgent instructions about hiring Pellet, and takes the inquest report from Margaret Warren. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Visits the Regency theatre seeking the Vanda, then returns to his flat to review the inquest report and work on his notes. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii) Arrives at Abbotshall, investigates the butler's hay-fever, confronts Belford, and discusses the wood-rasp with Sir Arthur. ### [XV: Anthony’s Busy Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xv-anthony-s-busy-day) Visits Deacon in prison, conducts interviews, meets Madam Vander, and writes a report. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Visits Deacon in prison, asks key questions, and has a tense encounter with Lucia Lemesurier. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Receives telegram, visits Sir Arthur, uses reference library, recalls a quotation, and telephones Dora Masterson. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii) Arrives at The Owl's office after interviews in Abbotshall, tired and hungry. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iv) Visits the Regency theatre to meet Madam Vander, using money and a sealed card to gain entry. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/v) Works through the night writing and typing his report, then prepares it for delivery. ### [Revelation and the Sparrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xvi-revelation-and-the-sparrow) Reveals the truth about the murder to Sir Arthur, drives to Marling seeking Lucia, visits Deacon in jail, and receives a delayed note from Lucia. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Drives to Marling, visits Deacon in jail, receives a note from Lucia, and sets out to see her in a storm. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Reveals the truth about John Hoode's death and the identity of the body. ### [XVII: By The Owl’s Commissioner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xvii-by-the-owl-s-commissioner) Writes a letter and report to Scotland Yard, detailing his conclusions and requesting help to secure a confession. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Arrives wet and exhausted to announce Deacon's freedom and Digby-Coates's guilt; struggles with his own feelings for Lucia and maintains her secret. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Discusses leaving England with Lucia and is reminded of their need to marry. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/anthony_gethryn - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters