# John Marlowe — Trent’s Last Case character guide > John Marlowe in Trent’s Last Case by E. C. Bentley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Marlowe, young Mr. Marlowe, Mr. Marlowe, Mr. John Marlowe, Jack Marlowe **First appearance:** 0003-ii-knocking-the-town-endways ## Snapshot Manderson's private secretary, cool and capable, whose escape through the lady's window made him the case's most dangerous unanswered question. ## Who they are Marlowe runs the dead man's affairs with a composure that impresses everyone, and he is the one who lays Trent's manuscript on the table and admits there is more truth to be told. He is bound to Mabel Manderson by something Trent can no longer doubt, and it was through her room that he left the house on the night of the murder. Whether he is a man trapped by circumstance or the author of the whole design is the question that keeps Trent's suspicions alive and his conscience uneasy. ## Relationships ### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent) _professional_ Marlowe, Manderson's secretary, is a key suspect and frequent interlocutor with Trent during the investigation. ### [Sigsbee Manderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/sigsbee_manderson) _professional_ Marlowe serves as Manderson's personal secretary, enduring his employer's harsh and domineering nature. ### [Nathaniel Burton Cupples](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/nathaniel_burton_cupples) _social_ Marlowe and Cupples are acquaintances through the Manderson household, with Cupples suspecting Marlowe's involvement. ### [Mabel Manderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/mabel_manderson) _romantic_ Marlowe and Mabel share a secret romantic attachment, which becomes a central motive in the case. ### [Calvin Bunner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/calvin_bunner) _friendship_ Bunner and Marlowe are colleagues and friends, with Bunner protective of Marlowe's reputation. ### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent) _professional_ Marlowe, Manderson's secretary, is a key suspect and frequent interlocutor with Trent during the investigation. ### [Sigsbee Manderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/sigsbee_manderson) _professional_ Marlowe serves as Manderson's personal secretary, enduring his employer's harsh and domineering nature. ### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent) _professional_ Marlowe, Manderson's secretary, is a key suspect and frequent interlocutor with Trent during the investigation. ### [Nathaniel Burton Cupples](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/nathaniel_burton_cupples) _social_ Marlowe and Cupples are acquaintances through the Manderson household, with Cupples suspecting Marlowe's involvement. ### [Sigsbee Manderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/sigsbee_manderson) _professional_ Marlowe serves as Manderson's personal secretary, enduring his employer's harsh and domineering nature. ### [Calvin Bunner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/calvin_bunner) _friendship_ Bunner and Marlowe are colleagues and friends, with Bunner protective of Marlowe's reputation. ### [Calvin Bunner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/calvin_bunner) _friendship_ Bunner and Marlowe are colleagues and friends, with Bunner protective of Marlowe's reputation. ## In the story ### [V: Poking About](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/v-poking-about) His alibi is confirmed via telegram; his room is examined by Trent. ### [VI: Mr. Bunner on the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/vi-mr-bunner-on-the-case) Mentioned as having bought the pistol and practiced with it, and as having discussed the Mandersons' troubles with Bunner. ### [VII: The Lady in Black](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/vii-the-lady-in-black) Paces on the lawn, talks with Trent about the case, and expresses doubt about Bunner's theory, noting it doesn't explain all the odd facts. ### [VIII: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/viii-the-inquest) Mentioned in Mrs. Manderson's testimony as having been sent to Southampton by her husband. ### [XI: Hitherto Unpublished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xi-hitherto-unpublished) Identified by Trent as the false Manderson; his physical resemblance, acting skill, and intimate knowledge of the household are detailed. ### [Evil Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xii-evil-days) Marlowe has entered his father's business, become its effective head, and is engaged to an Irish girl. Trent learns of this from Bunner, which upends his earlier theories. ### [XIII: Eruption](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xiii-eruption) Discussed as the object of Manderson's jealousy; had fallen for a flirtatious American girl, not Mrs. Manderson. ### [XIV: Writing a Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xiv-writing-a-letter) The recipient of Trent's letter, which requests a private meeting to discuss the Manderson case. ### [Double Cunning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xv-double-cunning) Reveals his background as Manderson's secretary, his chess skill, and the events of the fatal night. ### [The Last Straw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xvi-the-last-straw) Discussed as the innocent man who would have been hanged without Cupples's evidence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/john_marlowe - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters