# The Valley of Fear — Character guide

> Key figures in The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle.

- [Sherlock Holmes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/sherlock_holmes.md): The brilliant detective who investigates the Birlstone Manor murder.
- [John McMurdo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/john_mc_murdo.md): A mysterious newcomer who joins the Scowrers in Vermissa Valley.
- [John Douglas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/john_douglas.md): The owner of Birlstone Manor whose murder sets the plot in motion.
- [Cecil Barker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/cecil_barker.md): Douglas's friend and neighbor, a key witness at Birlstone Manor.
- [Inspector MacDonald](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/inspector_mac_donald.md): The Scotland Yard detective working with Holmes on the case.
- [Mrs. Douglas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/mrs_douglas.md): John Douglas's wife, a key figure at Birlstone Manor.
- [White Mason](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/white_mason.md): The local Sussex detective assisting Holmes and MacDonald.
- [Dr. Watson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/watson.md): Holmes's friend and chronicler of the investigation.
- [Councillor McGinty](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/councillor_mc_ginty.md): The ruthless leader of the Scowrers in Vermissa Valley.
- [Ted Baldwin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/ted_baldwin.md): A violent member of the Scowrers and rival of McMurdo.
- [Brother Morris](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/brother_morris.md): A reluctant Scowrer who fears the organization's violence.
- [Ettie Shafter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/ettie_shafter.md): The young woman McMurdo falls in love with in Vermissa.
- [Birdy Edwards](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/pinkerton.md): A Pinkerton detective infiltrating the Scowrers.
- [Professor Moriarty](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/professor_moriarty.md): The criminal mastermind briefly mentioned as connected to the case.
- [Brother Scanlan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/brother_scanlan.md): A member of the Scowrers and lodge officer.
- [Tiger Cormac](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/tiger_cormac.md): A feared Scowrer enforcer in Vermissa Valley.
- [Chester Wilcox](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/chester_wilcox.md): A member of the Scowrers involved in lodge activities.
- [Fred Porlock](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/porlock.md): A contact of Moriarty who sends a warning to Holmes.
- [Captain Marvin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/marvin.md): A police captain involved in the Scowrers investigation.
- [Mrs. Allen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/mrs_allen.md): A resident of Birlstone village who provides information.
- [Jacob Shafter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/jacob_shafter.md): Ettie's father and a Vermissa Valley resident.
- [Jonas Pinto](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/jonas_pinto.md): A man who recognizes McMurdo from Chicago.
- [Jim Carnaway](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/jim_carnaway.md): A Scowrer who is murdered for betraying the lodge.
- [Lawler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/lawler.md): A member of the Scowrers in Vermissa Valley.
- [William Hales](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/william_hales.md): A man mentioned in connection with the Scowrers.
- [Archie Swindon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/archie_swindon.md): A Vermissa Valley resident involved in the conflict.
- [Billy James](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/billy_james.md): A young boy who delivers a message in the story.
- [Sergeant Wilson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_valley_of_fear_se/characters/sergeant_wilson.md): A police sergeant assisting in the Birlstone investigation.

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