a very attractive young woman with copper-colored hair. Carole-Anne lives in the top flat, above Stan, and looks after both Stan's and Jury's flats when they are absent, as well as Stan's dog, Stone. Jury's feelings for her are paternal, but occasionally conflicted, as evidenced by a rather long and warm Christmas kiss. Carole-anne has humorously proprietary romantic feelings for Jury. Stone, Stan Keeler's good-natured caramel-colored Labrador. Carol-anne takes care of Stone most of the time when Stan Keeler is away from home New Scotland Yard Detective Sergeant Alfred Wiggins. Chief Superintendent Racer, Jury's pompous and irascible superior. Cyril, a highly intelligent cat who haunts Racer's office. Fiona Clingmore, Racer's secretary and Jury's ally, along with Cyril, in irritating Racer. Long Piddleton Melrose Plant, once Lord Ardry, the Earl of Caverness. His ancestral home is called Ardry End. Ruthven and Martha, husband and wife, manservant and housekeeper, respectively, at Ardry End for many years. "Lady" Agatha Ardry, Plant's intrusive aunt and bane of his existence. Marshall Trueblood, an antiques dealer, of flamboyant dress and manner, but possibly that is an affectation for customers who "expect" that behavior. Diane DeMorney, single, wealthy, and attractive, but only a friend to Jury and Plant. She knows nothing about astrology, but writes a column on the topic for the local paper. She has porcelain skin and black hair, and is always perfectly coiffed and dressed in combinations of black and white. Vivian Rivington, a love interest for Jury, but she is (somewhat secretly) in love with Plant. She was for years engaged to an Italian count. Joanna Lewes, the best-selling author of potboiler romances. Her nickname is Joanna the Mad (“Maddy” to Marshall Trueblood) because her dead husband's name was Philip. Dick Scroggs, publican, owner of the Jack and Hammer, where Plant and other denizens of Long Piddleton gather. Mrs. Withersby, charwoman at the Jack and Hammer, who spends most of her time sleeping by the fire and cadging drinks from the regulars. Trevor Sly, owner of the Blue Parrot, a less-frequented pub. Theo Wrenn Browne, pompous owner of the local bookstore, disliked by Plant, frequent ally of Agatha. Ada Crisp, a mild local shopkeeper, frequent adversary to Browne's hopes of expanding his store. Elsewhere Polly Praed, a mystery writer with violet eyes. Melrose Plant has a long-standing crush on her, and she, in turn, is infatuated with Jury. Sarah Malloy, Jury's cousin. At