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The Valley of Fear · Character

Fred Porlock

A contact of Moriarty who sends a warning to Holmes.

minor

Also known as Porlock, Friend Porlock

First appearance: The Warning

Fred Porlock shows up with force in The Warning. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Sends a cipher message and a subsequent letter withdrawing his help, fearing Moriarty's suspicion.
In the storyThe WarningOpen this moment free

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In The Warning: Sends a cipher message and a subsequent letter withdrawing his help, fearing Moriarty's suspicion. Later, in II: Sherlock Holmes Discourses: Sent a warning cipher to Holmes about the impending danger to…

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The fuller portrait of Fred Porlock sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Fred Porlock in The Warning

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Fred Porlock sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

SHSherlock HolmesIMInspector MacD…JDJohn DouglasDWDr. WatsonPMProfessor Mori…FPFred Porlock

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Birlstone Manor Investigation

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This chapter marks the dramatic climax because McMurdo’s psychological peak of confidence and integration into…

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In the story

Fred Porlock appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Fred Porlock unlock in the free preview.

See Fred Porlock in The Warning