# Virginia Revel — The Secret of Chimneys character guide > Virginia Revel in The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Virginia, Revel, Genevieve **First appearance:** 0005-iv-introducing-a-very-charming-lady ## Snapshot A diplomat's widow with a sharp wit and a past in Herzoslovakia, she refuses to be kept in the dark about the secrets swirling around Chimneys. ## Who they are Virginia Revel moves through diplomatic circles with a reputation for discretion that is, by her own amused admission, entirely undeserved. Having lived in Herzoslovakia just before the assassination of its king and queen, she is more entangled in the Chimneys affair than anyone initially realizes. When the men in charge try to keep her out of the conference, she coolly insists on being included — and her knowledge proves as dangerous as it is valuable. ## Relationships ### [Anthony Cade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/anthony_cade) _romantic_ Anthony and Virginia share a flirtatious and deepening romantic bond, marked by mutual attraction and trust as they unravel the mystery together. ### [Bill Eversleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/bill_eversleigh) _romantic_ Bill is a devoted and somewhat hapless suitor to Virginia, who treats him with fondness but not serious romantic interest. ### [George Lomax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/george_lomax) _social_ George Lomax is a pompous politician who regards Virginia with polite but superficial social interest. ### [Herman Isaacstein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/herman_isaacstein) _social_ Herman Isaacstein and Virginia are polite acquaintances within the social circle at Chimneys, with no deep connection. ### [Lord Caterham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/lord_caterham) _social_ Lord Caterham and Virginia Revel are friendly acquaintances, with Caterham treating her as a charming guest. ### [Superintendent Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/superintendent_battle) _professional_ Superintendent Battle and Virginia Revel interact as detective and potential suspect, with Battle polite but probing. ### [Anthony Cade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/anthony_cade) _romantic_ Anthony and Virginia share a flirtatious and deepening romantic bond, marked by mutual attraction and trust as they unravel the mystery together. ### [Anthony Cade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/anthony_cade) _romantic_ Anthony and Virginia share a flirtatious and deepening romantic bond, marked by mutual attraction and trust as they unravel the mystery together. ### [George Lomax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/george_lomax) _social_ George Lomax is a pompous politician who regards Virginia with polite but superficial social interest. ### [Bill Eversleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/bill_eversleigh) _romantic_ Bill is a devoted and somewhat hapless suitor to Virginia, who treats him with fondness but not serious romantic interest. ### [Bill Eversleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/bill_eversleigh) _romantic_ Bill is a devoted and somewhat hapless suitor to Virginia, who treats him with fondness but not serious romantic interest. ### [Herman Isaacstein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/herman_isaacstein) _social_ Herman Isaacstein and Virginia are polite acquaintances within the social circle at Chimneys, with no deep connection. ## In the story ### [The Secret of Chimneys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/the-secret-of-chimneys) Present at Chimneys, interacts with Anthony. ### [Anxiety in High Places](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/iii-anxiety-in-high-places) George Lomax's cousin, a charming and intelligent woman suggested to handle James McGrath with tact; her late husband was at the embassy in Herzoslovakia. ### [IV: Introducing a Very Charming Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/iv-introducing-a-very-charming-lady) Flirts with Bill, agrees to see Lomax at four, and plans to go to lunch with Bill. ### [First Night in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/v-first-night-in-london) Identified by Anthony from a society photograph as the Hon. Mrs. Timothy Revel, formerly Virginia Cawthron. ### [VI: The Gentle Art of Blackmail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/vi-the-gentle-art-of-blackmail) Returns home to find a blackmailer; cleverly plays along with his scheme, pays him forty pounds, and later explains her motives to George Lomax. ### [A Dead Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/viii-a-dead-man) Discovers the dead blackmailer in her study and grapples with the decision to involve the police. ### [IX: Anthony Disposes of a Body](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/ix-anthony-disposes-of-a-body) Discovers the body, agrees to Anthony's plan, and travels to Chimneys as instructed. ### [XI: Superintendent Battle Arrives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xi-superintendent-battle-arrives) Listed among the ladies staying at Chimneys. ### [XIII: The American Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xiii-the-american-visitor) Greets Anthony warmly, claiming him as an old friend; secures his invitation to stay at Chimneys; suggests they go out on the lake away from the crime. ### [XV: The French Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xv-the-french-stranger) Walks with Anthony to the lake, discusses the body disposal and the murder. Reveals she knew Prince Michael in Herzoslovakia and rejected his morganatic marriage proposal. Agrees to view the body to identify if the murdered man is Michael. ### [Tea in the Schoolroom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xvi-tea-in-the-schoolroom) Confirms the body is Prince Michael and shares information about Mademoiselle Brun's room. ### [A Midnight Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xvii-a-midnight-adventure) Wakes Bill to investigate a light in the Council Chamber, leads the chase after the burglar. ### [Second Midnight Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xviii-second-midnight-adventure) Joins the syndicate to keep watch, insisting on participating despite Bill's objections. ### [Secret History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xix-secret-history) Insists on being told the secret history and reveals her past connection to Herzoslovakia. ### [Battle and Anthony Confer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xx-battle-and-anthony-confer) Mentioned as the owner of the letters; Battle plans to involve her in the investigation due to her 'beguiling way.' ### [Mr. Isaacstein’s Suitcase](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xxi-mr-isaacstein-s-suitcase) Questioned by Superintendent Battle about Anthony Cade's past; later walks with Bill and Lemoine, witnessing the suitcase incident. ### [The Red Signal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xxii-the-red-signal) Interacts romantically with Anthony, suggests the Holbein portrait clue, and knows the house's secrets. ### [Encounter in the Rose Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xxiii-encounter-in-the-rose-garden) Present during the search of the secret passage, expressing bewilderment at the found objects. ### [The House at Dover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xxiv-the-house-at-dover) Discussed by Bundle, who reveals insights into her marriage to Tim Revel and her true feelings. ### [XXV: Tuesday Night at Chimneys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xxv-tuesday-night-at-chimneys) Defends Anthony Cade against Lemoine's accusations, then receives a secret summons from Anthony via Boris. ### [The 13th of October (Continued.)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xxvii-the-13th-of-october-continued) Present in the room during the confrontation, though not directly active in this excerpt. ### [XXIX: Further Explanations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xxix-further-explanations) Mentioned as Anthony's wife, married that morning. ### [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) Reunites with Anthony on the terrace; learns his true identity and expresses excitement about becoming queen. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters/virginia_revel - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/characters