# The Murder of Roger Ackroyd — Character guide

> Key figures in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie.

- [Dr. Sheppard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/dr_sheppard.md): The local doctor and narrator, who becomes Poirot's assistant in the murder investigation.
- [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/hercule_poirot.md): The famous Belgian detective who retires to King's Abbot but is drawn into solving Roger Ackroyd's murder.
- [Roger Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/roger_ackroyd.md): A wealthy widower and the murder victim, found stabbed in his study at Fernly Park.
- [Flora Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/flora_ackroyd.md): Roger Ackroyd's niece and Ralph Paton's fiancée, who insists on Poirot investigating the murder.
- [Ralph Paton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/ralph_paton.md): Roger Ackroyd's stepson and the prime suspect, who disappears after the murder.
- [Caroline Sheppard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/caroline_sheppard.md): Dr. Sheppard's gossipy and perceptive sister, who knows everyone's secrets in King's Abbot.
- [Parker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/parker.md): The butler at Fernly Park, who discovers the body and becomes a suspect.
- [Major Blunt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/major_blunt.md): A big-game hunter and friend of Roger Ackroyd, staying at Fernly Park at the time of the murder.
- [Geoffrey Raymond](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/geoffrey_raymond.md): Roger Ackroyd's private secretary, present at Fernly Park on the night of the murder.
- [Ursula Bourne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/ursula_bourne.md): The parlourmaid at Fernly Park, who has a secret connection to Ralph Paton.
- [Miss Russell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/miss_russell.md): The housekeeper at Fernly Park, who is secretly engaged to Charles Kent.
- [Inspector Raglan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/inspector_raglan.md): The local police inspector leading the official murder investigation.
- [Mrs. Ferrars](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/mrs_ferrars.md): A wealthy widow who poisoned her husband and later commits suicide, setting the plot in motion.
- [Charles Kent](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/charles_kent.md): A rough stranger who visits Fernly Park on the night of the murder, later revealed as Miss Russell's son.
- [Mrs. Cecil Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/mrs_ackroyd.md): Roger Ackroyd's sister-in-law, a gossipy woman who lives at Fernly Park.
- [Colonel Melrose](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/colonel_melrose.md): The chief constable of the county, who assists in the murder investigation.
- [Mr. Hammond](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/mr_hammond.md): Roger Ackroyd's solicitor, who reads the will to the family.
- [Inspector Davis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/inspector_davis.md): A police inspector from Liverpool who assists in the case.
- [Elsie Dale](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/elsie_dale.md): A maid at Fernly Park who provides information about the night of the murder.
- [Annie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/annie.md): A maid at Fernly Park who testifies about seeing a stranger on the night of the murder.
- [Captain Hastings](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/hastings.md): Poirot's friend and former partner, briefly mentioned as a correspondent.
- [Major Ellerby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/major_ellerby.md): A local resident mentioned in connection with a previous case.
- [Ashley Ferrars](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/ashley_ferrars.md): The late husband of Mrs. Ferrars, who was poisoned by his wife.
- [Colonel Carter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/colonel_carter.md): A local resident mentioned in passing during the investigation.
- [Superintendent Hayes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/superintendent_hayes.md): A police superintendent who briefly appears in the investigation.
- [Miss Gannett](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/miss_gannett.md): A local gossip who spreads rumors about the murder.
- [Prince Paul of Mauretania](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/prince_paul.md): A foreign prince mentioned in connection with Mrs. Ferrars's past.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters