Murder Investigation Team (Raven’s Edge Police Station)
Detective Inspector Ben Taylor
Newly posted from the Metropolitan Police, his team are not entirely convinced he’s tough enough for the role of Detective Inspector. As he uses the name ‘Ben Taylor’, he’s hoping none of them have made the connection between him and the notorious Elliott family (they have). Spent his entire life over-compensating for dodgy relatives. Honest to a fault.
Detective Sergeant Harriet March
Ben’s deputy. Treats him like another brother and tries to boss him about. Believes he’s an idiot but likes him anyway. Always thinks the worst of people and never trusts anything anyone says. Joined the police to honour her father, a detective superintendent, who died saving two children who’d fallen into the river. Her mother owns a chain of fashion stores called Anya’s and cannot understand why on earth Harriet decided to be a police officer.
Detective Constable Dakota Lawrence
A great lateral thinker but super-quiet and so tends to be given the jobs no one else wants, such as anything technical or involving a trip to the archives. As much as she loves research, she’s fed up with being ‘just the guy in the van’. Even though the MIT don’t have a van.
Detective Constable Asheem (Ash) Chopra
No one is quite sure why Ash joined the police, least of all Ash. Easily distracted and squeamish, he never likes to be put on the spot with a direct question. Has been used to coasting through life on his good looks. Not entirely sure why this doesn’t work with his colleagues.
Detective Constable Sam King
Has known everyone else in the Murder Investigation Team since they were all at the same primary school in the village. He joined the police when his best friend Harriet did. Has had a crush on her since the age of 12 but she’s completely oblivious. Famed for being the team joker. No one has yet realised he uses humour to deflect emotion.
Detective Chief Inspector Doug Cameron
Technically in charge of the Murder Investigation Team but is based at the police headquarters in Norchester. Hates that, so he divides his time between the police stations at Calahurst and Raven’s Edge and so far none of his bosses have noticed. Had a scholarship-funded Oxbridge education and was fast-tracked through the police ranks. Sees every perpetrator as a personal adversary. The more frustrating a case, the more sarcastic he becomes. Doesn’t believe in hunches – unless they are his own.
Caroline Warner
Forensic pathologist. Ben’s ex-wife. Mother to his daughter, Sophie. Their marriage and divorce was very bitter but they’ve warmed to each other since then, although she pretends otherwise. She transferred from London to the pathology lab at Norchester General Hospital to enable Ben to see more of Sophie. Enjoys teasing him a little too much.
Lucia Serrano
Forensic archaeologist, based at the University of Norchester. Loves helping the police. Has a bubbly, sunny personality that is the complete opposite of the dour Caroline. Has a (not very) secret crush on Ben. Sister to Carmen Serrano, Assistant Manager at the bookstore, The Secret Grimoire.
Francis ‘Call me Frank’ McAllister
Forensic anthropologist. No one’s actually met him yet. Rarely turns up at crime scenes. More likely to say ‘Send me a photo’.
Hartfell (Home to the Graham Family)
Milla Graham
Used to work for a music magazine, meaning she spent her time standing in a muddy field, interviewing musicians no one else had heard of. Arrives in Raven’s Edge determined to discover what happened to her mother. Desperate to be part of a family after being rejected by her own. Believes rules are for other people. No respect for other people’s boundaries. Or gates, doors, windows, locks…
Brianna Graham
Matriarch of the Graham family. The heiress to a paper packaging company who married a publisher (Henry Graham) – a match not quite made in heaven but now she’s a merry widow and basically the Queen of Raven’s Edge.
Patrick Graham
Eldest son of Brianna and Henry Graham, former Managing Director of what was then known as Graham & Sons – an independent publisher that specialised in republishing classic fairy stories. Sent to prison fifteen years ago for murdering his wife, Rosemary McKenzie. Unlikely to be nominated for Father of the Year.
Dermot Graham
Second son of Brianna and Henry Graham. Took over control of Graham & Sons (now known as Graham Media) when his elder brother went to prison. Likes to keep a close eye on everything that that happens in Raven’s Edge, particularly with regards to his family. Also unlikely to be nominated for Father of the Year.
Malcolm (Mal) Graham
Rosemary’s son, Brianna’s grandson. Managing Director of Graham Media. Never really recovered from the deaths of most of his family in a fire at their former house, King’s Rest.
The Witch’s Brew (Café & Secondhand Book Shop)
Kat Davenport
Inherited The Witch’s Brew from her aunt, the much-loved Miss Lily. Loves baking. Uses all her aunt’s old recipes, along with others she has created. She also inherited Miss Lily’s cat, known as Mister Snuggles, who seems to have lived at the cottage forever…
Jake Davenport
Kat’s on/off husband. Writes historical mysteries featuring a highwayman as the detective – loosely based on the legends of Matthew Elliott. Often attends book signings and events in costume. All the old ladies love him. Sells signed copies of his books in the book shop, much to Jay’s irritation.
Ruby
Ruby got the job at The Witch’s Brew because she was the only one who could operate the temperamental coffee machine. Loves wearing short skirts and red lipstick. Unlike the coffee machine, has no filter. Won’t stand for any nonsense. Has a soft spot for Jay.
Jay
Kat inherited Jay from Miss Lily, who put him in charge of a small shelf of books for the customers – and he took over an entire room, turning it into a labyrinth of a secondhand book shop. It took Kat a full day to realise he was in there. Loves ‘new’ old books. Despises modern commercial fiction – and Jake.
Practically Magic (New Age Shop)
Elvira Merriweather
Elvira (real name: Evelyn, but don’t tell anyone) runs Practically Magic despite the help of her younger sister, Fliss. The two of them belong to the Raven’s Edge wicca coven – Miss Lily was their third member but after her death they became two. Yes, you can have a coven with only two witches.
Fliss Merriweather
Elvira’s younger sister but more mischievous and fun-loving. Has not given up on an attempt to find true love, even though she’s in her sixties. Lives to annoy her sisters. Knows everything about the history of Raven’s Edge and everyone in it – worryingly.
Raven's Edge 