James Partridge

In the novel The A.B.C. Murders, James Partridge is a resident of Andover. He was the last person to see the first murder victim, Alice Ascher, alive. He is a bank clerk by profession.

Mr Partridge is a small man, who wears pince-nez. He is described as being "very dry and spare-looking and extremely precise in all his utterances". His small house is as neat and trim as himself.

At 5.30 p.m. on the day of the murder, Mr Partridge entered Mrs Ascher's shop, and made a purchase from her. He made purchases there fairly frequently, as her shop was on his way home. Once or twice a week he bought John Cotton mild from her. However, he never spoke to her beyond his purchases and an occasioal remark about the weather.

When he finds out about Mrs Ascher's death, Mr Partridge perceives that his statement might be helpful to the police, and so comes forward of his own accord.