Minor Characters
John Parker
John Parker is the butler on the Ackroyd estate. He’s considered a suspect in the case, especially after Hercule Poirot reveals that he’s been blackmailing his former employer, Major Ellerby, and that he was eavesdropping on Roger Ackroyd’s conversation with Dr. Sheppard just before Roger’s death.
Charles Kent
The “mysterious stranger” who Dr. Sheppard notices while he’s coming home from the Roger Ackroyd estate. Charles Kent is the illegitimate child of Miss Elizabeth Russell, and a ne’er-do-well drug user.
Mrs. Ferrars
The widow of Mr. Ashley Ferrars, who kills herself by overdose just before the novel begins. She had been having an affair with Roger Ackroyd, and was blackmailed about this by Dr. James Sheppard.
Ms. Paton
The first wife of Roger Ackroyd, and the mother of Ralph Paton by a previous marriage. She dies of alcoholism before the novel begins.
Annie
A parlormaid in the Sheppards’ house.
Mr. Ashley Ferrars
The husband of Mrs. Ferrars, who dies about one year before the events of the novel.
Cecil Ackroyd
Roger Ackroyd’s ne’er-do-well younger brother, and the late husband of Mrs. Ackroyd.
Miss Gannett
A busybody who lives in the village and likes gossiping with Caroline Sheppard.
Inspector Davis
The police inspector initially sent to investigate the death of Roger Ackroyd.
Inspector Raglan
The primary police investigator involved with the case of Roger Ackroyd’s murder.
Colonel Melrose
The chief constable in the village of King’s Abbot.
Elsie Dale
A housemaid in Roger Ackroyd’s home.
Mrs. Folliot
An upper-class lady who used to employ Ursula Bourne.
Colonel Carter
A resident of King’s Abbot, who sometimes play Mah Jong with the Sheppards.
Major Ellerby
The former employer of John Parker.
Mr. Hammond
The Ackroyd family solicitor and attorney.