# Sigsbee Manderson — Trent’s Last Case character guide > Sigsbee Manderson in Trent’s Last Case by E. C. Bentley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Manderson, the young Manderson, Sir James, the late Sigsbee Manderson **First appearance:** 0002-i-bad-news ## Snapshot A financier so wary that he trusted no one, found shot through the eye in his own grounds, his character the real riddle of the case. ## Who they are Manderson built a colossal fortune by treating every rival as a predator and every room as a trap, and his own household ran on the same suspicion. His secretary Bunner insists the man was merely worn out with worry, not mad, and dismisses the breach with his wife as too small to break a big man. That confidence is exactly what Trent cannot share: the dead man's secrecy, his nerve, and the coldness at the heart of his marriage all seem to point at something the surface of the case refuses to explain. ## Relationships ### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent) _professional_ Trent investigates Manderson's murder, forming a complex intellectual puzzle relationship with the deceased. ### [John Marlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/john_marlowe) _professional_ Marlowe serves as Manderson's personal secretary, enduring his employer's harsh and domineering nature. ### [Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/martin) _professional_ Martin is Manderson's loyal butler, serving him with quiet efficiency. ### [Nathaniel Burton Cupples](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/nathaniel_burton_cupples) _family_ Cupples is Manderson's uncle by marriage, though their relationship is strained. ### [Sir James Molloy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/sir_james_molloy) _professional_ Molloy manages Manderson's complex financial empire as his trusted business advisor. ### [Calvin Bunner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/calvin_bunner) _professional_ Bunner works as Manderson's clerk, enduring his bullying and contempt. ### [Mabel Manderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/mabel_manderson) _family_ Mabel is Manderson's unhappy wife, trapped in a cold and oppressive marriage. ### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent) _professional_ Trent investigates Manderson's murder, forming a complex intellectual puzzle relationship with the deceased. ### [John Marlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/john_marlowe) _professional_ Marlowe serves as Manderson's personal secretary, enduring his employer's harsh and domineering nature. ### [Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/martin) _professional_ Martin is Manderson's loyal butler, serving him with quiet efficiency. ### [Nathaniel Burton Cupples](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/nathaniel_burton_cupples) _family_ Cupples is Manderson's uncle by marriage, though their relationship is strained. ### [Philip Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/philip_trent) _professional_ Trent investigates Manderson's murder, forming a complex intellectual puzzle relationship with the deceased. ## In the story ### [Trent's Last Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/trent-s-last-case) The murdered American financier, found dead at White Gables. ### [I: Bad News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/i-bad-news) The deceased financier, described as scheming, indomitable, and cold; his death causes global financial turmoil. ### [II: Knocking the Town Endways](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/ii-knocking-the-town-endways) The murdered financier; his death is the central event of the chapter. ### [III: Breakfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/iii-breakfast) Mentioned in Cupples' account of the marital tension and his own confrontation with Manderson; his body has been examined by Trent. ### [IV: Handcuffs in the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/iv-handcuffs-in-the-air) Mentioned in the context of the crime scene evidence, including his patent shoes and the state of his body when found. ### [V: Poking About](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/v-poking-about) Deceased; his bedroom and belongings are 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) Discussed as having been anxious and brooding in recent weeks, possibly fearing an attack from business enemies. ### [VIII: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/viii-the-inquest) The deceased; his death and the circumstances surrounding it are the subject of the inquest. ### [IX: A Hot Scent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/ix-a-hot-scent) The deceased; his fingerprint is suggested to be on the bowl used for his false teeth, which Trent has taken from his room. ### [XI: Hitherto Unpublished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xi-hitherto-unpublished) The victim; Trent reconstructs that he was shot earlier in the night, his body stripped and left by the shed. ### [XIII: Eruption](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xiii-eruption) Mentioned as having harbored a mistaken suspicion about his wife and Marlowe, leading to his jealousy. ### [Double Cunning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xv-double-cunning) Described as having a deep, insane hatred for Marlowe, leading him to stage his own death to frame Marlowe. ### [The Last Straw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/chapters/xvi-the-last-straw) The victim; his death is the central event of the confession. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/trent_s_last_case_se/characters/sigsbee_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