# Detective Inspector Parker — Unnatural Death character guide > Detective Inspector Parker in Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Parker, Inspector Parker, Parker **First appearance:** 0001-i-overheard ## Snapshot A methodical Scotland Yard man who does the tedious legwork for Wimsey's brilliant theories, and who cannot quite shake the feeling that he is being taken for granted. ## Who they are Parker grinds through solicitor after solicitor on a hot afternoon while Wimsey chases hunches, and he conducts his own life by an earnest middle-class morality he was raised to trust. He is loyal, dogged, and quietly exasperated by his friend's aristocratic shortcuts. His patient accumulation of small facts is what gives the investigation its spine, even when he suspects he is only there to be useful. ## In the story ### [Part I: The Medical Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/part-i-the-medical-problem) Police investigator who may collaborate with Wimsey on the case. ### [I: Overheard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/i-overheard) Referred to as 'Charles' and 'the nondescript man,' he is dining with Wimsey and engages in the conversation about duty and suspicion. ### [II: Miching Mallecho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/ii-miching-mallecho) Mentioned as Wimsey's friend and the real detective who does the work. ### [III: A Use for Spinsters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/iii-a-use-for-spinsters) Breakfasts with Wimsey, shares doubts about the doctor's story, and accompanies him to visit Miss Climpson. ### [VI: Found Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/vi-found-dead) Skeptical of Wimsey's theory but agrees to the bet; later informs Wimsey about Bertha Gotobed's death. ### [VII: Ham and Brandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/vii-ham-and-brandy) Brings news of the traced £5 note and leads the visit to Mrs. Forrest; annoyed by Wimsey's interference. ### [VIII: Concerning Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/viii-concerning-crime) Debates with Wimsey about the likelihood of murder, expressing skepticism but engaging with the theories. ### [Part II: The Legal Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/part-ii-the-legal-problem) Collaborates with Wimsey, discussing the legal implications and evidence in the case. ### [Crossroads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xi-crossroads) Engages in conversation with Wimsey about the case, expresses skepticism about the murder theory, and accompanies Wimsey to Crofton. ### [A Tale of Two Spinsters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xii-a-tale-of-two-spinsters) Accompanies Wimsey; his brisk questioning is gently suppressed to avoid disrupting the flow of information. ### [XIII: Hallelujah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xiii-hallelujah) Accompanies Wimsey to interview Rev. Hallelujah Dawson, asks about Simon Dawson's children, and comments on Mary Whittaker's character. ### [XIV: Sharp Quillets of the Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xiv-sharp-quillets-of-the-law) Raises the point about where the money goes if the great-niece is excluded, and later reminds the group that no murder has been proven yet. ### [XV: Temptation of St. Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xv-temptation-of-st-peter) Receives Mrs. Forrest's call and coordinates with Wimsey. ### [XVII: The Country Lawyer's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xvii-the-country-lawyer-s-story) Conducts tedious solicitor interviews; receives Murbles's note but is busy; reflects on the case and his encounter with Miss Climpson. ### [XVIII: The London Lawyer's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xviii-the-london-lawyer-s-story) Parker listens intently to Mr. Trigg's story, noting the significance of the scar and the timing of events. ### [Part III: The Medico-Legal Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/part-iii-the-medico-legal-problem) Collaborates with Wimsey, discussing the case and receiving news of a leak. ### [XIX: Gone Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xix-gone-away) Discusses the case with Wimsey, points out that Mary Whittaker was in Kent with Vera Findlater during the Gotobed incidents, and coordinates the search for the missing women. ### [XX: Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xx-murder) Investigates Mary Whittaker's disappearance, gathers photographs, and leads the search at Shelly Head. ### [XXI: By What Means?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xxi-by-what-means) Coordinates the investigation, receives news of Hallelujah Dawson's arrest, and instructs the press to portray Dawson as the suspect. ### [XXII: A Case of Conscience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xxii-a-case-of-conscience) Mentioned as being with Lord Peter at Crow's Beach; Miss Climpson addresses a letter to him at the police station. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/characters/parker - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unnatural_death_se/characters