Peter Mendelssohn

Peter is the main character of the titular story, "Thirteen Ways of Looking." Peter is an elderly Jewish man, living in New York. Prior to the start of the story, Peter served as an aircraft pilot and later a county supreme court justice.

Peter acts like a stereotypical crotchety elder. He complains about his lack of mobility, the actions of his son, Elliot, and the face-paced nature of everyday life. He lives with his housekeeper, Sally, who has a nephew whom Peter inserted into his will for educational purposes.

Half of "Thirteen Ways of Looking" consists of the investigation of Peter's murder, as he is slain outside of a restaurant where he had lunch with Elliot. It turns out that Peter was murdered by Pedro, who was angry at Elliot for having an affair with his daughter.

Overall, Peter is kind yet frustrated and is killed without...