Janet Groom

In the novel Mrs McGinty's Dead, Janet Groom was the elderly housekeeper at the "Laburnums", home of the Upwards at Broadhinny. Old and rheumatic, Janet was known for her grumbling. As Superintendent Spence said, she probably did as little work as she could while grumbling as much as possible. She had told Mrs Sweetiman, for example, that her mistress Laura Upward could be more mobile and could take care of herself more if she wanted. Although Mrs. Upward described Janet as an "old faithful", she had only been with the Upwards for a couple of years.