# Mrs. Vandemeyer — The Secret Adversary character guide

> Mrs. Vandemeyer in The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Rita Vandemeyer, Rita, Marguerite, Vandemeyer

**First appearance:** 0009-vii-the-house-in-soho

## Snapshot

A sleek, watchful woman with expensive tastes and dangerous friends, Mrs. Vandemeyer is the door between Tuppence and the underworld.

## Who they are

Tuppence's employer is a woman of means and mystery, the kind who keeps a latchkey and returns late, and whose connections run somewhere far darker than society allows. Sir James believes he can make her talk with a few well-chosen questions or, failing that, a bribe large enough to tempt her. When he calls on her at ten o'clock, the interview ends with a brandy glass and a woman on the floor — and the case turns on whatever she was about to say.

## Relationships

### [Tuppence Cowley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tuppence_cowley)

_rivalry_

Antagonistic captor and interrogator who tries to manipulate Tuppence for information.

### [Boris Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/boris_ivanovitch)

_professional_

Russian agent and co-conspirator working together in the criminal organization.

### [Tommy Beresford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tommy_beresford)

_rivalry_

Cold and manipulative captor who tries to break Tommy's will.

### [Tuppence Cowley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tuppence_cowley)

_rivalry_

Antagonistic captor and interrogator who tries to manipulate Tuppence for information.

### [Tuppence Cowley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tuppence_cowley)

_rivalry_

Antagonistic captor and interrogator who tries to manipulate Tuppence for information.

### [Boris Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/boris_ivanovitch)

_professional_

Russian agent and co-conspirator working together in the criminal organization.

### [Tommy Beresford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tommy_beresford)

_rivalry_

Cold and manipulative captor who tries to break Tommy's will.

### [Tommy Beresford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tommy_beresford)

_rivalry_

Cold and manipulative captor who tries to break Tommy's will.

### [Boris Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/boris_ivanovitch)

_professional_

Russian agent and co-conspirator working together in the criminal organization.

## In the story

### [VI: A Plan of Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/vi-a-plan-of-campaign)

Identified as 'Rita' (Marguerite) living at 20 South Audley Mansions; her flat is the target of investigation.

### [IX: Tuppence Enters Domestic Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/ix-tuppence-enters-domestic-service)

Mrs. Vandemeyer is introduced as a beautiful but menacing woman; Tuppence feels a chilling fear upon meeting her, sensing the danger she represents.

### [X: Enter Sir James Peel Edgerton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/x-enter-sir-james-peel-edgerton)

Hosts Count Stepanov for dinner, discusses her association with Mr. Brown, and dismisses Boris's warnings about Sir James Peel Edgerton, asserting her independence.

### [A Friend in Need](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/xii-a-friend-in-need)

Target of Sir James's planned interrogation; believed to know Tommy's whereabouts.

### [The Vigil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/xiii-the-vigil)

Agrees to betray Mr. Brown but dies mysteriously during the night, possibly from an overdose.

### [A Consultation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/xiv-a-consultation)

Reported dead from an accidental overdose of chloral; had committed Jane Finn to Dr. Hall's care.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/mrs_vandemeyer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters