In the novel The Man in the Brown Suit, John James is the gardener of the Mill House, a large house belonging to Sir Eustace Pedler, M.P. at Marlow. James lives in the lodge at the entrance of the house with his wife Caroline. Sir Eustace did not consider him a good gardener but he is forced to "support him in idleness" because he wanted to retain the services of his wife whom he considered to be an excellent cook.