Miss Elizabeth Russell Character Analysis in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Roger Ackroyd’s housekeeper and, it’s suggested, lover for a time. She’s considered a suspect in the case because of her jealousy surrounding Roger’s affair with Mrs. Ferrars, as well as her need for money and her connections to drugs. It’s eventually revealed that Miss Russell has an illegitimate child, Charles Kent.

Miss Elizabeth Russell Quotes in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The The Murder of Roger Ackroyd quotes below are all either spoken by Miss Elizabeth Russell or refer to Miss Elizabeth Russell. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Secrecy and the Universal Capacity for Violence Theme Icon

One cannot answer a question like that off-hand. I gave her a short lecture on the subject, and she listened with close attention. I still suspected her of seeking information about Mrs. Ferrars.
"Now, Veronal, for instance—" I proceeded.
But, strangely enough, she didn't seem interested in Veronal. Instead she changed the subject, and asked me if it was true that there were certain poisons so rare as to baffle detection.

Related Characters: Dr. James Sheppard (speaker), Mrs. Ferrars, Miss Elizabeth Russell

Page Number and Citation: 14

Explanation and Analysis:

Miss Elizabeth Russell Character Timeline in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The timeline below shows where the character Miss Elizabeth Russell appears in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...to the village, however, Roger was rumored to be involved with a housekeeper named Miss Russell. Another recent arrival in the village was Mrs. Ackroyd, the widow of Roger’s “ne’er do-well... (full context)

Dr. Sheppard proceeds to tend to his patients. At lunch, Miss Russell comes to see him. She’s a stern, handsome woman, and she asks him to examine... (full context)

Inside the drawing room, Sheppard finds Miss Russell, who’s breathing hard. Russell says she didn’t expect Sheppard for dinner, and Sheppard senses that... (full context)

...however, remember if the knife was there when he examined the table. Davis summons Miss Russell, who recalls seeing the silver table open and shutting it. She can’t remember if the... (full context)

...sleep around 9:55. Flora Ackroyd was seen walking from Ackroyd’s room to her bedroom. Miss Russell was upstairs after 9:45, and Parker went to the pantry, where Miss Russell saw him.... (full context)

...will has just been opened: he’s left 500 pounds to Raymond, 1,000 pounds to Miss Russell, 10,000 to Mrs. Ackroyd, 20,000 to Flora, and the rest to Ralph. (full context)

...she’s hurt about being left only 10,000 pounds. She adds that Roger Ackroyd admired Miss Russell greatly, hence the money he left her. She also remembers how Miss Russell tried to... (full context)

In the housekeeper’s room, Inspector Raglan, Dr. Sheppard, and Poirot speak with Miss Russell about Elsie Dale. Russell explains that Elsie would never have stolen money—she has great references... (full context)

Before the men leave the housekeeper’s room, they ask Miss Russell her opinion of Parker. She doesn’t say anything, but purses her lips. Inspector Raglan notes... (full context)

...on the day of the murder—including an American steward from an ocean liner, and Miss Russell. Dr. Sheppard remembers that Miss Russell had asked him about poisons. (full context)

...the truth about Ralph, and Sheppard doesn't answer. Sheppard asks if Poirot is suspicious of Russell, considering what she asked about poisons. (full context)

...that she did, knowing that some of Roger’s silver could fetch a high price. Miss Russell startled her as she was going through the silver. Dr. Sheppard remembers seeing Miss Russell... (full context)

...information, but not too excited. The key point, he and Sheppard agree, is that Miss Russell was coming through the room from the outside, possibly because she’d gone to meet someone.... (full context)

Poirot asks Sheppard about his appointment with Miss Russell. Sheppard tells Poirot that, after the confidential portion of the visit, Russell asked about drug... (full context)

...Mrs. Ferrars, that Ralph was married to Flora, or that Roger was married to Miss Russell. But then Caroline suggests that Geoffrey Raymond was married to Flora. Caroline insists, “Flora Ackroyd... (full context)

...him that Poirot is waiting for him. Poirot informs Sheppard that he’s arranged for Miss Russell to come to Sheppard’s offices, telling her that Sheppard needs to meet with her for... (full context)

Poirot and Dr. Sheppard leave for Sheppard’s office, where they find Miss Russell. Poirot informs Russell that Charles Kent was arrested. In that instant, Sheppard realizes that Kent... (full context)

Miss Russell leaves the room, and Dr. Sheppard tells Poirot that her testimony suggests that Ralph Paton... (full context)

Dr. Sheppard leaves his office and returns to Caroline, who insists that Miss Russell must know more about Roger Ackroyd’s death than she’s letting on. The next morning, the... (full context)

...is here: John Parker, Mrs. Ackroyd, Flora Ackroyd, Raymond, Ursula Bourne, Hector Blunt, and Elizabeth Russell. Poirot points out that every single person had a motive to kill Roger Ackroyd. Mrs.... (full context)

...showed up around 9. Perhaps there were two separate meetings. Poirot then learned about Miss Russell’s interest in drugs, discovered a ring in the pond, and, finally, learned of a conversation... (full context)

Miss Elizabeth Russell Character Analysis

Miss Elizabeth Russell Quotes in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Chapter 2 Quotes

Miss Elizabeth Russell Character Timeline in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd