# Mr. Oxley — The Starvel Hollow Tragedy character guide

> Mr. Oxley in The Starvel Hollow Tragedy by Freeman Wills Crofts.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Oxley

**First appearance:** 0005-iv-inspector-french-goes-north

## Snapshot

A Thirsby solicitor whose comfortable office becomes the quiet stage where the Starvel affair refuses to stay buried.

## Who they are

Oxley is the friend Tarkington trusts with disturbing news, the man who knows the Averill land dealings and the shape of the old miser's finances from years of legal work. His wife's well-meant kindness keeps Ruth lingering in Thirsby after the fire, and his steady, unflappable presence gives the shaken town somewhere to set its unease. When the bank manager arrives one October morning with doubts about the verdict, it is Oxley he comes to first.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Tarkington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters/mr_tarkington)

_social_

Oxley and Tarkington are likely local acquaintances or business associates with frequent interactions.

### [Ruth Averill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters/ruth_averill)

_social_

Oxley and Ruth are likely acquaintances or have a professional relationship in the community.

### [Mr. Tarkington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters/mr_tarkington)

_social_

Oxley and Tarkington are likely local acquaintances or business associates with frequent interactions.

### [Ruth Averill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters/ruth_averill)

_social_

Oxley and Ruth are likely acquaintances or have a professional relationship in the community.

### [Mr. Tarkington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters/mr_tarkington)

_social_

Oxley and Tarkington are likely local acquaintances or business associates with frequent interactions.

## In the story

### [II: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/ii-the-inquest)

Lends Ruth twenty pounds, advises her on her future, and accompanies her to the inquest.

### [Mr. Tarkington Develops a Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/iii-mr-tarkington-develops-a-theory)

Solicitor who breaks the news of the lost fortune to Ruth and advises her on her financial future. Later consulted by Tarkington about a new development.

### [IV: Inspector French Goes North](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/iv-inspector-french-goes-north)

Provides French with information about the newspaper taken by the late Mr. Averill.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters/mr_oxley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/characters