Eleanor Fane

In the novel Sleeping Murder, Mrs Eleanor Fane is the mother of Gerald, Robert and Walter Fane. Mrs Fane has a cook called Louisa. Also in her household is a maid Beatrice and an an asthmatic spaniel named Henry. Of her sons, only Walter stayed with her as the others had careers which took them elsewhere.

Miss Marple considered it important to see Mrs Fane. As Walter was once engaged to Helen Halliday, she thought that Mrs Fane could provide valuable background information about the events of those long bygone years. Fortunately, she was able to secure in invitation to tea through the good offices of a mutual friend Dorothy Yarde.