# Peter John — The Three Hostages character guide

> Peter John in The Three Hostages by John Buchan.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0013-xii-i-return-to-servitude

## Snapshot

Hannay's small son, whose healthy springtime presence at Fosse becomes the measure of everything his father is risking.

## Who they are

Peter John is the reason Mary wakes in terror and slips up to the night-nursery to hug him, and the reason Hannay's double life in London feels like a betrayal of the ordinary. He is not a player in the plot, but he is the emotional stake: the child whose safety shadows the fate of the kidnapped boy David Warcliff. He matters because his innocence keeps the story's stakes human even as the conspiracy grows monstrous.

## Relationships

### [Mary Hannay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/mary_hannay)

_family_

Mary is the mother of Peter John, her young son with Dick, and she is deeply protective of him.

### [Mary Hannay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/mary_hannay)

_family_

Mary is the mother of Peter John, her young son with Dick, and she is deeply protective of him.

## In the story

### [The Three Hostages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/the-three-hostages)

Hannay's young son, mentioned as part of the peaceful family life at Fosse Manor.

### [I: Doctor Greenslade Theorises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/i-doctor-greenslade-theorises)

Hannay's young son, who adores Greenslade and leaves his toys in the library.

### [IV: I Make the Acquaintance of a Popular Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/iv-i-make-the-acquaintance-of-a-popular-man)

Hannay's son; mentioned as part of Hannay's domestic life.

### [VII: Some Experiences of a Disciple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/vii-some-experiences-of-a-disciple)

Peter John is mentioned alongside Mary as part of Hannay's family life that steadies his resolve.

### [II: 2:15 p.m., to About 5 p.m.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/chapters/ii-2-15-p-m-to-about-5-p-m)

Mentioned in Hannay's thoughts as having tea at Machray.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters/peter_john
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_hostages_se/characters