Patrick Narracott The guests invited to Shipwreck Island assume Narracott hails from the sleepy fishing village of Sticklehaven and works as a boatman, ferrying guests out to Shipwreck Island. In fact Narracott, a handsome man in a rough and windblown sort of way, is not who he appears to be, and has his own reasons for wanting to keep an eye on his passengers.

Dr. Edward George Armstrong Dr. Armstrong is a successful Harley Street physician who enjoys his success and the money it brings. His confidence and cautious manner put his patients at ease. Lately he has become increasingly exhausted from working long hours with no reprieve. Though he is in fairly good health, he has an extremely addictive personality. He is an alcoholic.

William Henry Blore Mr. Blore is a big, hulking man who works as a private detective. He can be inappropriately familiar with others in an attempt to inspire trust and ease, but his behavior is not usually received well. He is shrewd and cunning, two traits which have gotten him out of many difficult situations.

Emily Caroline Brent Miss Brent is a woman of unyielding principals. She often uses her Bible to justify her uncompromising attitude and unshakable principals. She is middle-aged and aloof, entirely unwilling to offer a shoulder to cry on.

Vera Elizabeth Claythorne Vera is pretty and shy. She is also bright, very well educated, and proficient in several languages, including French and German. She used to be a governess, but much of her work these days consists of secretarial duties. There is something ethereal, almost otherworldly about her.

Philip Lombard An adventurer in his mid-thirties, Mr. Lombard has traveled most of the world in search of excitement. He doesn’t take anything in life too seriously. He has been involved in both legal and not-so-legal activities.

General John Gordon Mackenzie Retired for many years, General Mackenzie is now in his seventies. His command of troops in the Great War has left him with many ghosts, as well as a few skeletons in his closet. He is a lonely soul, as many of his old friends are not interested in keeping in contact with him any longer.

Anthony James Marston Often called Tony by his contemporaries, Mr. Marston is an impressive specimen of a man. Desired by most women he meets, he is unfortunately self-absorbed and vain. What charm he has is switched on like a light to be used when he deems fit, and can be just as quickly switched off. His three chief passions are parties, women, and driving fast cars.

Ethel Rogers Mrs. Rogers is the housekeeper on Shipwreck Island. She is respectable and austere, with a flat and monotonous voice. She has been in service for most of her life, first as a parlor maid, and so on through the ranks of the household. She resents the idea that she is only one of two servants employed at the house.

Thomas Rogers Mrs. Rogers’ husband. He is every bit the proper English butler. He is compulsive in his need to maintain an orderly household. He is very good at his job, and takes pride in that fact. Mr. Rogers is completely devoted to his wife, to whom he has been married for many years.

Judge Lawrence John Wargrave Justice Wargrave is recently retired. He is often seen with his head sunk onto his chest in repose, as if he were still looking down at defendants from his high bench in the courtroom. Wargrave understands the law in extremely minute detail, but has no hesitation about rising above its limitations when necessary.