# Jimmy McGrath — The Secret of Chimneys character guide

> Jimmy McGrath in The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** McGrath, James, James McGrath, Mr. McGrath

**First appearance:** 0008-vii-mr-mcgrath-refuses-an-invitation

## Snapshot

A thickset, saloon-keeperish American who greets Anthony Cade in Bulawayo and instantly clocks the absurdity of his friend herding picture-postcard tourists.

## Who they are

McGrath is the old crony who knows Anthony Cade better than anyone in the opening chapters, trading barbs about harems and hard work while the Castle's Select Tour mills around them. He sees through the respectable tour-guide pose at once, predicting that trouble will find Anthony as reliably as it always has. Their promised drink and exchange of news plants the friendship that makes Anthony's later choices feel rooted rather than random.

## Relationships

### [Anthony Cade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/anthony_cade)

_friendship_

Anthony and Jimmy are old friends and former adventuring companions, sharing a loyal and easygoing camaraderie.

### [Anthony Cade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/anthony_cade)

_friendship_

Anthony and Jimmy are old friends and former adventuring companions, sharing a loyal and easygoing camaraderie.

### [Anthony Cade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/anthony_cade)

_friendship_

Anthony and Jimmy are old friends and former adventuring companions, sharing a loyal and easygoing camaraderie.

## In the story

### [I: Anthony Cade Signs On](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/i-anthony-cade-signs-on)

Old friend of Anthony Cade; proposes that Anthony deliver Count Stylptitch's memoirs to London for a thousand pounds, offering a quarter share.

### [A Lady in Distress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/ii-a-lady-in-distress)

Hosts Anthony in Bulawayo; recounts the story of Dutch Pedro and the blackmail letters; entrusts Anthony with the letters addressed to 'Chimneys.'

### [Anxiety in High Places](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/iii-anxiety-in-high-places)

A Canadian in Africa who is in possession of Count Stylptitch's memoirs and is due to arrive in London; Lomax hopes to influence him through Virginia Revel.

### [Mr. McGrath Refuses an Invitation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/vii-mr-mcgrath-refuses-an-invitation)

Referenced as the friend who advanced Anthony money in Bulawayo; Anthony uses his name as an alias throughout the chapter.

### [IX: Anthony Disposes of a Body](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/ix-anthony-disposes-of-a-body)

Mentioned by Anthony as a friend who would approve of his actions.

### [XII: Anthony Tells His Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xii-anthony-tells-his-story)

Mentioned as Anthony's friend in Bulawayo whose name Anthony used for travel.

### [XXX: Anthony Signs on for a New Job](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xxx-anthony-signs-on-for-a-new-job)

Arrives unexpectedly at Chimneys; delivers the memoirs to Mr. Balderson for a thousand pounds.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/jimmy_mcgrath
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters