# Mabel Manderson — Trent’s Last Case character guide > Mabel Manderson in Trent’s Last Case by E. C. Bentley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Manderson, Manderson, the false Manderson, the Manderson, Mabel **First appearance:** 0002-i-bad-news ## Snapshot The murdered man's young widow, beautiful and composed in public, whose private grief and hidden attachment make her the case's most guarded figure. ## Who they are Mabel Manderson asks only to be spared the newspapers, yet she is the one person whose evidence at the inquest opens the door on the dead man's domestic misery. She bears up with a fortitude that impresses her uncle Cupples, and Trent, meeting her, feels an inward certainty of her goodness that he cannot quite defend against the facts. Her connection to John Marlowe, half-confessed and half-concealed, keeps Trent's suspicion circling back to her even as his sympathy pulls the other way. ## Relationships ### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent) _romantic_ Trent falls in love with Mabel Manderson during the investigation, complicating his professional objectivity. ### [Nathaniel Burton Cupples](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/nathaniel_burton_cupples) _family_ Mabel is Cupples's niece, and he acts as her guardian and confidant. ### [John Marlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/john_marlowe) _romantic_ Marlowe and Mabel share a secret romantic attachment, which becomes a central motive in the case. ### [Sigsbee Manderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/sigsbee_manderson) _family_ Mabel is Manderson's unhappy wife, trapped in a cold and oppressive marriage. ### [Nathaniel Burton Cupples](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/nathaniel_burton_cupples) _family_ Mabel is Cupples's niece, and he acts as her guardian and confidant. ### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent) _romantic_ Trent falls in love with Mabel Manderson during the investigation, complicating his professional objectivity. ### [Sigsbee Manderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/sigsbee_manderson) _family_ Mabel is Manderson's unhappy wife, trapped in a cold and oppressive marriage. ### [John Marlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/john_marlowe) _romantic_ Marlowe and Mabel share a secret romantic attachment, which becomes a central motive in the case. ## In the story ### [Trent's Last Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/trent-s-last-case) The widow of Sigsbee Manderson, interviewed by Trent. ### [III: Breakfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/iii-breakfast) Discussed as the niece of Cupples, described as proud and suffering from Manderson's unexplained coldness. ### [V: Poking About](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/v-poking-about) Mentioned as sleeping in the inner room; Célestine expresses loyalty to her. ### [VI: Mr. Bunner on the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/vi-mr-bunner-on-the-case) Briefly mentioned as having told Bunner about Trent's presence, and as the subject of gossip with her French maid. ### [VII: The Lady in Black](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/vii-the-lady-in-black) Seen sitting on a cliff ledge in black, lost in thought, making a gesture of freedom. Later, she meets Trent and answers his question about Manderson's request for money on the night of his death. ### [VIII: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/viii-the-inquest) Testifies at the inquest, describing her husband's changed behavior and his final words about sending Marlowe to Southampton. Afterward, she asks Trent for his arm, feeling faint. ### [IX: A Hot Scent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/ix-a-hot-scent) Mentioned as having felt ill after leaving the witness box at the inquest, but is now recovered. Trent's investigation involves prints from her bedroom window. ### [X: The Wife of Dives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/x-the-wife-of-dives) Mrs. Manderson is introspective and emotionally burdened, revealing her unhappiness in her marriage and her social struggles. ### [XI: Hitherto Unpublished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xi-hitherto-unpublished) The wife who, from her bed, spoke to the impostor believing him to be her husband; her drowsy question is noted. ### [Evil Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xii-evil-days) Mrs. Manderson is remembered by Trent with a mix of love and suspicion. She has left England for Italy and later returns to London, living quietly and avoiding society. ### [XIII: Eruption](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xiii-eruption) Finally confronts Trent about his manuscript, thanks him for his chivalry, and reveals the true nature of her relationship with Marlowe. ### [XIV: Writing a Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xiv-writing-a-letter) Urges Trent to write the letter, reads it over his shoulder, and later asks him to tell her uncle about their engagement. ### [Double Cunning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xv-double-cunning) Mentioned as having shown great goodness to Marlowe during a difficult time in his life. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/mabel_manderson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters