Bret Rensselaer

## Books

*Winter*
*Mexico Set*
*London Match*
*Spy Hook*
*Spy Line*
*Spy Sinker*
*Faith*
*Hope*
*Charity*

## Principal Characters

Daphne Cruyer
Dicky Cruyer
Frank Harrington
Alan Piper
Glenn Rensselaer
Brian Samson
Fiona Samson
Werner Volkmann
Zena Volkmann
Paul Winter
Peter Winter

**Bret Rensselaer** was referenced in *Winter* and appeared in every novel featuring Bernard Samson.

## Genealogy

[please refer to the association charts page for explanation of solid, versus dotted line links - between associates as well as family]

Bret Rensselaer is one of just three characters to appear in every chart published as part of the Samson Series.

The graphic for *Winter* refers simply to a 'Bret' linked by a solid line to Dot Turner, the second wife of Cyrus G. Rensselaer (cf. *Spy Hook* below). Bret's two siblings are not named, however they are collectively referred to as '*Dot's children by her 1st marriage. All three change name to Rensselaer & inherit Cyrus G's wealth*'. It's noted that page 336 (Nook version) of *Winter* contains the line '*And Dot's grandson Bret must be seven*' however this reference to 'grandson' is likely to be an editing error.

Bret himself explains more about relations growing up: (his initial reference is presumably to his stepfather, Cyrus G. Rensselaer, not his biological father about whom we know nothing) ‘‘*My father was a lush…His two brothers forced him off the board after he’d punched one of the bank’s best customers. I was about ten years old. After that I was the only one to look after him…You have to have an infinity of compassion to look after a drunkard…My mother didn’t have that gift. And my brother* Sheldon *only cared about the old man’s money…Sheldon worked in the bank with my uncles…None of them tried to help him…I hated to leave him when I went into the Navy. he died before I even went to sea*.’ [*London Match* Chap 17]

In the table for *Berlin Game*, a dotted line links Bret Rensselaer to London Central, where he is described as '*Head Economics Intelligence Committee. All information supplied by "Brahms Four*"'. Bret also has a dotted line link to Frank Harrington, Head of Berlin Field Unit.

Bret's summary in the chart for *Mexico Set* is now '*One-time Head of the defunct Economics Intelligence Committee scouting for another major position*'. He retains a dotted line link to Frank Harrington, who remains Head of Berlin Field Unit.

Bret's entry in the graphic for *London Match* reads '*Chairman of Committee investigating Stinnes*' (which refers to Erich Stinnes). He is linked by dotted line to Sir Henry Clevemore, the Director-General, however this is via the latter's Personal Assistant, Morgan. Bret also has a dotted line link to "Lange" Koby.

By the time of the *Spy Hook* table, a solid line link is again shown between Bret and Dot Turner. Bret himself is now described as '*né Turner. Ex-London Central Shot in Berlin*'. A dotted line links Bret to Bernard Samson.

In the chart for *Spy Line*, Bret's entry is '*Liaising w. London Central from California*'. His other dotted line links to Dicky Cruyer, Head of German Desk.

Bret's entry in the graphic for *Spy Sinker* describes him as *'Fiona Samson's Case Officer Liaising from California*'. He now has dotted line links to Silvester Bernstein ('*Ret'd CIA. Private Investigato*r*')* and to James Pretty*man* *('Ret'd SIS*').

In the genealogy table for *Faith* - interestingly as the book begins directly where *Spy Sinker* ends - Bret's entry sounds somewhat backward-looking: '*Case Officer while Fiona Samson under cover*.' It also reads '*Acting Deputy DG'.* He is linked by dotted line to Bernard Samson, but also to Gloria Kent (his *'New PA*' as well as *'Bernard Samson's mistress*').

## Commentary

Bret Rensselaer is introduced to us as ‘*The taciturn American…squeezing the arm of the busty blonde he’d brought*’ [*Berlin Game* chap 4]. Usually though he can be seen ‘*with his dark worsted Savile Row suit and the crisp white shirt and club tie, and his fair hair that was going white*’ [*Berlin Game* chap 5].

In terms of Bret’s upbringing ‘*He was rich, very rich*’, with the most American thing about him being that he ‘*always said Bernard with the accent on the second syllable*’ [quotes *Berlin Game* chap 5].

Meantime his office is ‘*hard, austere and colourless…just right for Bret’* [*Berlin Game* chap 5].

Bret presents with a ‘*smile that seemed shy and fleeting but was really the reflex action that marked his indifference*’, however ‘*When he got tired of playing the shy Mr. Nice Guy, he’d suddenly go for confrontation, accusation and insult. But at least he was unlikely to go behind your back*’ [*Berlin Game* chap 5].

At one point in *Winter*, Bret was referred to as Dot's grandson.

## References

1. ↑ *Winter*
2. ↑ *Berlin Game*