I'm just rereading *The Marlows and the Traitor* which also starts with Peter's point of view, and am remembering how much I like him as well.

Your comments on what each character gets out of Gondalling ring true. I hadn't thought about it as much, this not having been one of my favorite Marlow books; but now I'm rereading the whole series beginning to end (for inspiration on writing style, character development, and how to make unlikable characters sympathetic) and I'll pay more attention when I get to PR.