Character guide

Dr. Sheppard

major

Also known as James Sheppard, Sheppard, James

The local doctor and narrator, who becomes Poirot's assistant in the murder investigation.

Hercule Poirot

major

Also known as M. Poirot, Poirot, Mr. Poirot, M. Hercule Poirot, Monsieur Poirot, Papa Poirot

The famous Belgian detective who retires to King's Abbot but is drawn into solving Roger Ackroyd's murder.

Roger Ackroyd

major

Also known as Ackroyd, Mr. Ackroyd, poor Mr. Ackroyd, old Ackroyd, M. Ackroyd

A wealthy widower and the murder victim, found stabbed in his study at Fernly Park.

Flora Ackroyd

major

Also known as Miss Flora, Miss Ackroyd, Mademoiselle Flora, dear Flora

Roger Ackroyd's niece and Ralph Paton's fiancée, who insists on Poirot investigating the murder.

Ralph Paton

major

Also known as Captain Ralph Paton, Captain Paton, Paton, young Paton, Poor Ralph

Roger Ackroyd's stepson and the prime suspect, who disappears after the murder.

Caroline Sheppard

supporting

Also known as Miss Caroline, Caroline

Dr. Sheppard's gossipy and perceptive sister, who knows everyone's secrets in King's Abbot.

Parker

supporting

Also known as John Parker, the good Parker

The butler at Fernly Park, who discovers the body and becomes a suspect.

Major Blunt

supporting

Also known as Hector Blunt, Blunt, Major Hector Blunt

A big-game hunter and friend of Roger Ackroyd, staying at Fernly Park at the time of the murder.

Geoffrey Raymond

supporting

Also known as Raymond, Mr. Raymond, young Raymond, Mr. Geoffrey Raymond

Roger Ackroyd's private secretary, present at Fernly Park on the night of the murder.

Ursula Bourne

supporting

Also known as Bourne, Ursula

The parlourmaid at Fernly Park, who has a secret connection to Ralph Paton.

Miss Russell

supporting

Also known as Russell

The housekeeper at Fernly Park, who is secretly engaged to Charles Kent.

Inspector Raglan

supporting

Also known as Raglan, Inspector

The local police inspector leading the official murder investigation.

Mrs. Ferrars

supporting

Also known as the Ferrars, Mrs. Ferrar

A wealthy widow who poisoned her husband and later commits suicide, setting the plot in motion.

Charles Kent

supporting

Also known as Kent, Not Charles Kent

A rough stranger who visits Fernly Park on the night of the murder, later revealed as Miss Russell's son.

Mrs. Cecil Ackroyd

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Ackroyd, Cecil, Mrs. Cecil Ackroyd

Roger Ackroyd's sister-in-law, a gossipy woman who lives at Fernly Park.

Colonel Melrose

minor

Also known as Melrose

The chief constable of the county, who assists in the murder investigation.

Mr. Hammond

minor

Also known as the good Mr. Hammond, Hammond

Roger Ackroyd's solicitor, who reads the will to the family.

Inspector Davis

minor

Also known as Davis

A police inspector from Liverpool who assists in the case.

Elsie Dale

minor

Also known as Dale, Elsie

A maid at Fernly Park who provides information about the night of the murder.

Annie

minor

A maid at Fernly Park who testifies about seeing a stranger on the night of the murder.

Captain Hastings

minor

Also known as Hastings

Poirot's friend and former partner, briefly mentioned as a correspondent.

Major Ellerby

minor

Also known as A Major Ellerby

A local resident mentioned in connection with a previous case.

Ashley Ferrars

minor

The late husband of Mrs. Ferrars, who was poisoned by his wife.

Colonel Carter

minor

A local resident mentioned in passing during the investigation.

Superintendent Hayes

minor

Also known as Hayes

A police superintendent who briefly appears in the investigation.

Miss Gannett

minor

Also known as old Miss Gannett, a Miss Gannett

A local gossip who spreads rumors about the murder.

Prince Paul of Mauretania

minor

Also known as Prince Paul

A foreign prince mentioned in connection with Mrs. Ferrars's past.