# Michael Clifton — Tragedy at Ravensthorpe character guide

> Michael Clifton in Tragedy at Ravensthorpe by J. J. Connington.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Michael, Clifton, Mr. Clifton

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-fairy-houses

## Snapshot

The man who phones in the murder and secures the scene, then hands Sir Clinton the names of the only two useful witnesses.

## Who they are

Michael Clifton is the first voice on the wire, reporting Foss's murder to the Chief Constable and assuring him that no one has left the premises and the body is untouched. When Sir Clinton arrives, Clifton is waiting at the door with the case already sorted: Joan knows a little, and Foss's man Marden knows more. His efficient grip on the household makes him indispensable to the early investigation—and quietly worth watching.

## Relationships

### [Sir Clinton Driffield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/sir_clinton_driffield)

_rivalry_

Michael Clifton is a suspect and antagonist to Sir Clinton Driffield, creating tension and opposition during the investigation.

### [Joan Chacewater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/joan_chacewater)

_romantic_

Joan Chacewater and Michael Clifton are involved in a romantic relationship, though it is complicated by the murder investigation.

### [Maurice Chacewater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/maurice_chacewater)

_rivalry_

Maurice Chacewater and Michael Clifton are antagonists, possibly due to jealousy or conflicting interests.

### [Sir Clinton Driffield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/sir_clinton_driffield)

_rivalry_

Michael Clifton is a suspect and antagonist to Sir Clinton Driffield, creating tension and opposition during the investigation.

### [Joan Chacewater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/joan_chacewater)

_romantic_

Joan Chacewater and Michael Clifton are involved in a romantic relationship, though it is complicated by the murder investigation.

### [Maurice Chacewater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/maurice_chacewater)

_rivalry_

Maurice Chacewater and Michael Clifton are antagonists, possibly due to jealousy or conflicting interests.

### [Joan Chacewater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/joan_chacewater)

_romantic_

Joan Chacewater and Michael Clifton are involved in a romantic relationship, though it is complicated by the murder investigation.

### [Sir Clinton Driffield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/sir_clinton_driffield)

_rivalry_

Michael Clifton is a suspect and antagonist to Sir Clinton Driffield, creating tension and opposition during the investigation.

### [Maurice Chacewater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/maurice_chacewater)

_rivalry_

Maurice Chacewater and Michael Clifton are antagonists, possibly due to jealousy or conflicting interests.

## In the story

### [II: Mr. Polegate’s Sense of Humour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/ii-mr-polegate-s-sense-of-humour)

Engages in banter with Joan about marriage; leaves with her to play billiards.

### [III: The Theft at the Masked Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/iii-the-theft-at-the-masked-ball)

Joan's fiancé; prevents panic in the dark ballroom and assists in turning the lights back on.

### [IV: The Chase in the Woods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/iv-the-chase-in-the-woods)

Leads the chase, sheds his costume to run faster, and discovers Maurice Chacewater in the Fairy House.

### [VI: Mr. Foss's Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/vi-mr-foss-s-explanation)

Leads the chase of the thief and reports the escape.

### [VII: What Was in the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/vii-what-was-in-the-lake)

Suggests the recovered Pierrot costume may belong to Maurice; confirms Maurice was not in the cordon.

### [VIII: The Murder in the Museum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/viii-the-murder-in-the-museum)

Reports the murder to Sir Clinton, observes the investigation, and is advised to leave Maurice out of the inquiry.

### [IX: The Muramasa Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/ix-the-muramasa-sword)

Present during the fingerprint discussion; consents to fingerprinting.

### [XIV: The Second Chase in the Woods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/xiv-the-second-chase-in-the-woods)

Joins the pursuit, checks the Fairy House, and contrasts the current methodical search with the earlier haphazard chase.

### [XV: Sir Clinton’s Solution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/xv-sir-clinton-s-solution)

Present among the listeners as Sir Clinton explains the case.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/michael_clifton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters