# Dr. Penberthy — The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club character guide

> Dr. Penberthy in The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Penberthy, dear Dr. Penberthy, this precious Penberthy

**First appearance:** 0001-i-old-mossy-face

## Snapshot

The Fentiman family doctor, Penberthy is conveniently on hand to certify the general's death and conveniently present when the case turns suspicious.

## Who they are

Penberthy is the physician who knows the old man's medical history and could have signed a certificate that would have spared everyone an inquest. His professional proximity to the death and his presence at the club give him both opportunity and inside knowledge. As the investigation deepens, his role as the trusted doctor becomes one more thread for Wimsey to pull.

## Relationships

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_professional_

Dr. Penberthy, the family physician, provides medical evidence to Wimsey while harboring secrets about the death.

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_professional_

Dr. Penberthy, the family physician, provides medical evidence to Wimsey while harboring secrets about the death.

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_professional_

Dr. Penberthy, the family physician, provides medical evidence to Wimsey while harboring secrets about the death.

## In the story

### [I: Old Mossy-Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/i-old-mossy-face)

Mentioned as the doctor attending to Grainger and General Fentiman.

### [II: The Queen Is Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/ii-the-queen-is-out)

Examines the body, pronounces death due to heart failure, and arranges for the body to be moved.

### [Lord Peter Leads a Club](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/iv-lord-peter-leads-a-club)

Discusses the General's death with Wimsey, admitting the rigor mortis anomaly but attributing it to the warm room and the General's health.

### [V: —And Finds the Club Suit Blocked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/v-and-finds-the-club-suit-blocked)

Confidentially discusses the loose knee joint with Wimsey, suggesting a shell-shocked person may have forced it, and confirms rigor was passing off in the face and jaw.

### [XI: Lord Peter Clears Trumps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xi-lord-peter-clears-trumps)

Receives a phone call from Wimsey about the exhumation; expresses concern about his certificate but agrees to the procedure.

### [XIII: Spades Are Trumps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xiii-spades-are-trumps)

Present at the exhumation; abstracted and anxious.

### [XV: Shuffle the Cards and Deal Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xv-shuffle-the-cards-and-deal-again)

Listed as a suspect with means and opportunity; interviewed by Parker.

### [XVI: Quadrille](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xvi-quadrille)

Lectures on glandular therapy, expresses concern about the exhumation analysis affecting his reputation, and is engaged to Naomi Rushworth.

### [XX: Ann Dorland Goes Misère](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xx-ann-dorland-goes-mis-re)

Revealed as the murderer of General Fentiman, motivated by the inheritance and his desire for money.

### [XXI: Lord Peter Calls a Bluff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xxi-lord-peter-calls-a-bluff)

Arrives to examine George; avoids eye contact with Robert and is pressed by Wimsey about the poison pill.

### [XXII: The Cards on the Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xxii-the-cards-on-the-table)

Confesses to poisoning General Fentiman, writes a statement clearing Ann Dorland, and then commits suicide in the library.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/dr_penberthy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters