The Churchill Casebook of Curiosities
Dramatis Personae: Cast
A Rogues' GalleryBook 1: A Dialogue with Death
Lady Hyacinth Abernathy
Hostess for the evening’s events.
A good friend of Baron Churchill.
Widow of Sir Reginald Abernathy.
Mother of Peter ‘Peabody’ Abernathy.
Godmother to Jessica O’Hara.
Jessica O’Hara [Deceased]
Goddaughter of Lady Abernathy. Nominally in Lady Abernathy’s care while her parents are abroad in Australia for an extended period.
Colonel Marigold
A dear old friend of Lady Abernathy.
Claims to know Baron Churchill, but exactly how and how well is unknown.
Simone d’Chartreuse
A handsome and somewhat decadent young man in attendance at the séance. Reverend of the Chamber of the Fallen Star.
Madam Perceptica [Deceased]
A Medium employed by Lady Abernathy to contact her late husband. Killed in the River House drawing room. May 1879
Jacob Black
The operator of the ferry to the River House.
Bianca Innocenti [Deceased]
The cook at the River House. A last-minute replacement for the regular cook, Mrs Layton. Killed in the River House kitchen. May 1879.
Rufus Harengus [Deceased]
The butler at the River House.
He has an unplaceable eastern European accent.
Killed in the River House grounds. May 1879.
Elizabeth Brownstone [Deceased]
The maid at the River House. Killed in the River House hall. May 1879.
Peter ‘Peabody’ Abernathy
The son of Sir and Lady Abernathy.
An acquaintance of Daphne Marleybone although he has not seen him in almost two years. Previously Peabody would invite Daphne to attend his yacht racing. Their last contact was a little over eighteen months ago when Peabody wrote to Daphne inviting him for a weekend in the country in Cheddar or some similarly awful place. That frightful oink Conor ‘Conny’ Greystoke was also invited. It sounded dreadfully dull, so Daphne chose to decline. He fears Peabody has been sulking ever since.
Conor Greystoke [Deceased]
A frightful bore who never seems to talk about anything other than his father’s wretched trains. Died at Rorke’s Drift Station. January 1879.
Beatrice ‘Betty’ Greystoke, née Bainbridge [Deceased]
Another frightful bore. Infatuated with a romantic vision of colonial South Africa. Died at Rorke’s Drift Station. January 1879.
Detective Inspector Clement
A detective with the newly created Criminal Investigations Department of Scotland Yard.
Book 2: ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ or ‘The Sinister Figure’
Superintendent Adolphus ‘Dolly’ Williamson
Head of the newly created Criminal Investigations Department of Scotland Yard.
John Langbrook
A Conservative politician and member for East Somerset in the House of Commons. Married to Penelope Langbrook.
Penelope Langbrook
Mr. Quill
A stagehand.
Mr. Sayers
A stagehand.
Dr. Foedemere
A stage magician.
Miss Susanna Thompson
An attendee of Dr. Foedemere’s show. Member of the Chamber of the Fallen Star.
Ms. Agatha Claremont
Guardian to Miss Susanna Thompson.
Mr. Chan
A stage Magician.
Mr. Wing
An associate of Mr. Chan
Luigi Colopinto
A purveyor of fine mirrors.
Guiseppe Colopinto
A purveyor of fine mirrors.
Detective Inspector Hamlin
A detective with the Criminal Investigations Department of Thames Valley Police.
Randolph O’Hara [Deceased]
Father of Jessica and Natalie O’Hara.
Dorothy O’Hara [Deceased]
Mother of Jessica and Natalie O’Hara.
Mrs Buckle
Housekeeper at the O’Hara townhouse.
Queen Victoria
Alexandrina Victoria. Daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India.
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
Arthur William Patrick Albert. Seventh child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Soon to be married to Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia.
Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia
Louise Margaret Alexandra Victoria Agnes. Daughter of Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia and Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau. Soon to be married to Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.
Gustavo Renaldo, Duke of Milan and Lombardy
An Italian duke attending the royal wedding.
Anthony Salvin
Esteemed architect renovating the Tower of London. An acquaintance of Mr. Blackwood.
Eunice
Trusted lieutenant in the employ of Ms. Gideon Harrow.
Lulu
An employee of Ms. Gideon Harrow.
Sasha
Hat check girl at the Dock Street Theatre.
Gordon Claridge
An old chum of Daphne’s from Eton.
Jennifer Claridge
Sister of Gordon Claridge
Lady Judith Claridge
Mother of Gordon and Jennifer Claridge.
Lord Ainsworth
Victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls. Husband of Lady Ainsworth.
Lady Ainsworth
Victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls. Wife of Lord Ainsworth.
Mr Barker
Purchaser of a Colopinto mirror. Victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls. Husband of Mrs Barker. Father of Tilly Barker.
Mrs Barker
Purchaser of a Colopinto mirror. Victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls. Wife of Mr Barker. Mother of Tilly Barker.
Tilly Barker
Daughter of Mr and Mrs Barker. Friend of Daphne Marleybone, Cubby Carter, and Bunty Banister.
Captain Carter
Purchaser of a Colopinto mirror. Victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls. Husband of Mrs Carter. Father of Cubby Carter.
Mrs Carter
Purchaser of a Colopinto mirror. Victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls. Wife of Captain Carter. Mother of Cubby Carter.
Cubby Carter
Son of Captain and Mrs Carter. Friend of Daphne Marleybone, Tilly Barker and Bunty Banister.
Lord Dillworthy
Victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls. Husband of Lady Dillworthy.
Lady Dillworthy
Victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls. Wife of Lord Dillworthy.
Monsieur Etihad
Victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls.
Mrs Constance Foster
Potential purchaser of a Colopinto mirror. Potential victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls. Widow of the late Gerald Foster.
Mrs Gordon
Purchaser of a Colopinto mirror. Potential victim of the Burglar Who Walks Through Walls.
Eziah Cyrus
The Rat King.