Character details
- First Name
- Helen
- Last Name
- Frost
- Notes
- Model for McNair, ortho-cousin of Lew Frost, daughter of Edwin and Calida Frost.
- Reserved Notes
-
Character cases:
Ch. 1 - Lew Frost mentions that Helen is his ortho-cousin and he wants her "out of that murder hole" (a reference to the family business).
Ch. 2 - along with Thelma Mitchell, Helen is the first to be interviewed by Wolfe. Frost stumbles during the interview and reveals that she knew the contents of the mysterious box of candies.
Ch. 6 - interviewed by Archie with Cramer and Dixon; she didn't want to try any candy and was pale.
Ch. 7 - agrees to accompany Archie to the office to talk things over with Wolfe.
Ch. 8 - leaves the brownstone (without Boyden McNair realizing she was there) after visiting the plant rooms with Wolfe.
Ch. 10 - arrives unannounced with Lewellyn Frost at the brownstone and accepts Wolfe's chastisement for hiding information that could have saved Boyden McNair's life. She becomes Wolfe's client, telling Wolfe "I'll pay you anything to find out who killed Uncle Boyd."
Ch. 11 - affirms that she will keep her word and support Wolfe's investigation of Boyden McNair. She goes on to answer many questions about her family's history.
Ch. 12 - at Wolfe's request, Helen invites Archie to tea with her family and Gebert.
Ch. 14 - telephones during lunch and asks Archie to go to police headquarters to check on the treatment Gebert is receiving.
Ch. 15 - after Archie sees her at McNair's funeral, Helen arrives unannounced at the brownstone. After Cramer calls looking for her, Archie takes her to the Frost residence.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 15 - informs Wolfe and Archie that Gebert is dead.
Ch. 18 - after Wolfe informs her that her real name is Glenna McNair, that Calida Frost bought her from Boyden McNair, and that she killed him to conceal the fact, Helen / Glenna confronts Calida Frost, "He was my father, and you killed him. You killed my father. Oh!"
Character quotations:
You're a dirty fat beast.
Helen responds to Wolfe's statement, "Do you imagine this is a friendly chat we are having. By no means. It is a very one-sided affair. I am forcing you to reply to questions by threatening to turn you over to the police if you don't."
History: Early in 1916. She was afraid to stay in Paris, on account of the war.
Frost answers Wolfe question regarding when her mother left Paris for Spain. January 29, 1916 - a German Zeppelin bombs Paris (possibly a diversion for the coming land invasion). February 21, 1916 - On the Western Front, the German 5th Army attacks the French 2nd Army north of the historic city of Verdun, following a nine-hour artillery bombardment. The Germans under Chief of the General Staff, Erich Falkenhayn, seek to "bleed" the French Army to death by targeting the cherished city.