# Mr. Foss — Tragedy at Ravensthorpe character guide

> Mr. Foss in Tragedy at Ravensthorpe by J. J. Connington.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Foss, VI Mr. Foss, the late Mr. Foss, J. B. Foss

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

## Snapshot

The murdered American agent whose Medusa Medallion dealings tie Ravensthorpe's theft and killing into a single knot.

## Who they are

Mr. Foss is the American agent shot dead in the Ravensthorpe Museum, the body Sir Clinton and Armadale examine before anything else. His only known connection to the house was the business of the Medusa Medallions, and Sir Clinton reads his death as the second act of an affair that began with stolen replicas. Though dead before the story opens, his dealings and the questions they raise drive every interview that follows.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Mr. Foss, as a local solicitor, has professional dealings with Sir Clinton Driffield regarding legal matters.

### [Tommy Marden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/tommy_marden)

_professional_

Mr. Foss and Tommy Marden have a professional relationship, likely as lawyer and client or legal advisor.

### [Inspector Armadale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/inspector_armadale)

_professional_

Inspector Armadale and Mr. Foss collaborate professionally, sharing information relevant to the case.

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

_social_

Joan Chacewater and Mr. Foss have a polite social acquaintance, likely through local community events.

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

_professional_

Maurice Chacewater and Mr. Foss have a professional relationship, likely involving legal or business matters.

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

_professional_

Mr. Foss, as a local solicitor, has professional dealings with Sir Clinton Driffield regarding legal matters.

### [Inspector Armadale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/inspector_armadale)

_professional_

Inspector Armadale and Mr. Foss collaborate professionally, sharing information relevant to the case.

### [Tommy Marden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/characters/tommy_marden)

_professional_

Mr. Foss and Tommy Marden have a professional relationship, likely as lawyer and client or legal advisor.

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

_professional_

Mr. Foss, as a local solicitor, has professional dealings with Sir Clinton Driffield regarding legal matters.

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

_social_

Joan Chacewater and Mr. Foss have a polite social acquaintance, likely through local community events.

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

_social_

Joan Chacewater and Mr. Foss have a polite social acquaintance, likely through local community events.

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

_professional_

Maurice Chacewater and Mr. Foss have a professional relationship, likely involving legal or business matters.

## In the story

### [I: The Fairy Houses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/i-the-fairy-houses)

Mentioned as having knowledge of the Fairy Houses, though not present in the chapter.

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

Provides the crucial explanation of overhearing the fake burglary plan.

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

The victim; his body is examined, and the Muramasa sword is removed from his chest.

### [X: The Shot in the Clearing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/x-the-shot-in-the-clearing)

Deceased; fingerprints found on the pistol; revealed to have forged Kessock letters and owned an Otophone despite not being deaf.

### [XI: Underground Ravensthorpe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/xi-underground-ravensthorpe)

Revealed to have a criminal record as 'Cocoa Tom' (Thomas Pailton), a confidence trickster and former performer.

### [XIII: The Otophone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tragedy_at_ravensthorpe_se/chapters/xiii-the-otophone)

His otophone is used to crack the safe; his intentions are discussed.

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

Revealed as the inside man who planned to substitute replicas for the real medallions, and was later murdered by Marden.

## Links

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