# Lord Peter Wimsey — The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club character guide > Lord Peter Wimsey in The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Wimsey, Peter, Lord Peter, Peter Wimsey, little Peter, Suddenly Wimsey **First appearance:** 0001-i-old-mossy-face ## Snapshot A monocled aristocrat who treats murder as a puzzle worth ruining his evening for, Wimsey investigates the death at the Bellona Club with wit and persistence. ## Who they are Wimsey belongs to the Bellona Club himself, which makes him both insider and investigator when General Fentiman is found dead in his chair. He juggles a reluctant friendship with Inspector Parker, the demands of Fleet Street reporters, and his own distaste for the sordid business of suspicion falling on people he rather likes. His charm and apparent frivolity mask a sharp moral intelligence that drives the early investigation forward. ## Relationships ### [Inspector Parker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/inspector_parker) _friendship_ Parker and Wimsey are close friends and professional allies, with Parker often relying on Wimsey's insights in the investigation. ### [Sheila Fentiman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/sheila_fentiman) _professional_ Wimsey interviews Sheila Fentiman as part of the murder investigation, finding her evasive and emotionally fragile. ### [Dr. Penberthy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/dr_penberthy) _professional_ Dr. Penberthy, the family physician, provides medical evidence to Wimsey while harboring secrets about the death. ### [Ann Dorland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/ann_dorland) _professional_ Ann Dorland, a young woman connected to the Fentiman family, cooperates with Wimsey's investigation while hiding her own motives. ### [Mr. Oliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/mr_oliver) _professional_ Mr. Oliver, the family solicitor, works with Wimsey to untangle the legal and financial aspects of General Fentiman's death. ### [Mr. Murbles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/mr_murbles) _professional_ Mr. Murbles is Wimsey's own solicitor, providing legal counsel and support during the investigation. ### [Mr. Pritchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/mr_pritchard) _professional_ Mr. Pritchard, a fellow club member and executor, is interviewed by Wimsey about the circumstances of General Fentiman's death. ### [Bunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/bunter) _professional_ Bunter is Wimsey's loyal valet and assistant, aiding him discreetly in the investigation. ### [General Fentiman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/general_fentiman) _professional_ The deceased General Fentiman is the subject of Wimsey's investigation, with their interactions only recalled through others' accounts. ### [Colonel Marchbanks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/colonel_marchbanks) _social_ Colonel Marchbanks, a fellow member of the Bellona Club, provides Wimsey with background on the club's rules and the day of the death. ### [Sir James Lubbock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/sir_james_lubbock) _professional_ Sir James Lubbock, a doctor and expert witness, is consulted by Wimsey on the medical aspects of General Fentiman's death. ### [Ann Dorland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/ann_dorland) _professional_ Ann Dorland, a young woman connected to the Fentiman family, cooperates with Wimsey's investigation while hiding her own motives. ## In the story ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/prologue) Introduced via a biographical sketch; second son of the Duke of Denver, educated at Eton and Oxford, served as a Major in the Rifle Brigade during WWI, and noted for his interests in criminology, bibliophily, music, and cricket. ### [I: Old Mossy-Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/i-old-mossy-face) Present at the Bellona Club, waiting for Colonel Marchbanks; engages in banter with George Fentiman and discovers General Fentiman's death. ### [II: The Queen Is Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/ii-the-queen-is-out) Helps carry the body to a spare room; present during the initial investigation. ### [III: Hearts Count More Than Diamonds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/iii-hearts-count-more-than-diamonds) Sitting in his library reading a manuscript, he is visited by Mr. Murbles and agrees to investigate the timing of General Fentiman's death, though he warns of possible unpleasant discoveries. ### [Lord Peter Leads a Club](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/iv-lord-peter-leads-a-club) Leads the investigation at the Bellona Club, questioning staff and Dr. Penberthy about General Fentiman's death. ### [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) Investigates the rigor mortis anomaly with Dr. Penberthy, finds a scrap of paper in the blotter, and arranges for Bunter to photograph the club. ### [VI: A Card of Reentry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/vi-a-card-of-reentry) Leads the investigation, interviews Woodward, examines General Fentiman's clothes, and notes an odd absence among the belongings. ### [VII: The Curse of Scotland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/vii-the-curse-of-scotland) Places advertisements for taxi drivers, visits Sir James Lubbock for boot analysis, and dines with the Fentimans to discuss the inheritance. ### [Lord Peter Leads Through Strength](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/viii-lord-peter-leads-through-strength) Investigates the Fentiman case, visits Ann Dorland and Mr. Pritchard, consults with Inspector Parker, and interviews taxi drivers with Mr. Murbles. ### [IX: Knave High](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/ix-knave-high) Continues his investigation at the Bellona Club despite complaints; tracks down George Fentiman and questions him about his grandfather. ### [X: Lord Peter Forces a Card](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/x-lord-peter-forces-a-card) Visits Marjorie Phelps to inquire about Ann Dorland; receives Major Fentiman's report about Oliver and arranges surveillance. ### [XI: Lord Peter Clears Trumps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xi-lord-peter-clears-trumps) Drives the investigation forward by arranging an exhumation, writing to the Home Office, and confronting Major Fentiman about the need for facts over money. ### [XII: Lord Peter Turns a Trick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xii-lord-peter-turns-a-trick) Hosts dinner for Parker and Murbles, recounts his investigation, exposes Major Fentiman's trick with Oliver, and confronts a private detective. ### [XIII: Spades Are Trumps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xiii-spades-are-trumps) Leads the reconstruction and pursuit; returns from Europe exhausted. ### [Grand Slam in Spades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xiv-grand-slam-in-spades) Orchestrates the confrontation with Robert Fentiman, revealing his manipulation of the Oliver chase and presenting the autopsy results. ### [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) Consults with Parker, lists suspects, and visits the Bellona Club. ### [XVI: Quadrille](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xvi-quadrille) Attends Mrs. Rushworth's gathering, discusses Ann Dorland's suspected guilt with Marjorie Phelps, and converses with Dr. Penberthy and Father Whittington about science and religion. ### [Picture-Cards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xviii-picture-cards) Examines Ann Dorland's books and paintings, noting her interest in crime fiction and a suspicious portrait. Confronts Robert Fentiman about destroying evidence, then reports to Parker. Later receives a distressed call from Sheila Fentiman about George's disappearance. ### [XIX: Lord Peter Plays Dummy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xix-lord-peter-plays-dummy) Accompanies Parker to interview Nurse Armstrong; later argues with Parker about Ann Dorland's innocence, insisting the evidence does not fit her character. ### [XX: Ann Dorland Goes Misère](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xx-ann-dorland-goes-mis-re) Visits the studio, engages Ann Dorland in conversation about reading and escape, and later reveals Penberthy's guilt. ### [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) Dines with Ann Dorland at the Savoy, orchestrates the investigation, and confronts Dr. Penberthy. ### [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) Confronts Penberthy, secures his confession, and orchestrates the final resolution of the case. ### [XXIII: Postmortem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/chapters/xxiii-postmortem) Engages in post-case conversations with Robert Fentiman, Inspector Parker, and Marjorie Phelps; reflects on the unsatisfactory nature of the case. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_unpleasantness_at_the_bellona_club_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey - 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