Characters in The Body in the Library

Miss Jane Marple

An elderly spinster of St. Mary Mead whose understanding of village human nature lets her read a crime through everyday parallels.

Also in The Murder at the Vicarage, The Thirteen Problems, The Moving Finger, A Murder Is Announced, They Do It with Mirrors, A Pocket Full of Rye, 4:50 from Paddington, The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side, A Caribbean Mystery, At Bertram's Hotel

Dolly Bantry

Mistress of Gossington Hall who summons Miss Marple, refusing to let the scandal taint her husband's name.

Also in The Thirteen Problems, The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side

Colonel Arthur Bantry

The respectable owner of Gossington Hall, embarrassed and quietly threatened by the rumour that surrounds the body in his library.

Also in The Thirteen Problems

Ruby Keene

A young dance hostess from the Majestic Hotel whose disappearance and death set the case in motion.

Conway Jefferson

A wealthy invalid who lost his family and grew devoted to Ruby, intending to provide for her.

Mark Gaskell

Charming and worldly relation of Conway Jefferson with a stake in the old man's fortune.

Josephine "Josie" Turner

Bridge hostess at the Majestic and Ruby's cousin, who first brought her to the resort.

Basil Blake

A brash young film-industry man living near Gossington Hall whose rudeness draws early suspicion.

Superintendent Harper

The methodical police superintendent leading the official inquiry across jurisdictions.

Sir Henry Clithering

A former Commissioner and friend of Miss Marple who vouches for her insight to the police.

Also in The Murder at the Vicarage, The Thirteen Problems

Dr Haydock

The local doctor who performs the first post-mortem on the body found in the library.

Also in The Murder at the Vicarage

Inspector Slack

The police inspector who works the local investigation into the body found at Gossington Hall.

Also in The Murder at the Vicarage

Adelaide Jefferson

Conway Jefferson's daughter-in-law, who is staying with him at the Majestic Hotel.

Pamela Reeves

Raymond Starr

George Bartlett

Miss Jane Marple

Also in Double Sin and Other Stories

Colonel Melchett

The Chief Constable of Radfordshire, who oversees the police inquiry into the two deaths.

Also in The Murder at the Vicarage