Hallowe'en Party characters

First appears in chapter 4

The Belgian detective asked by Ariadne Oliver to investigate the death of a girl who had boasted of witnessing a murder. He returns to Superintendent Spence's former district to determine whether the claim was more than childish display.

Appears from the start

The detective novelist visiting Woodleigh Common for a literary event. While helping at a children's Halloween party, she hears Joyce Reynolds claim to have witnessed a murder and later brings the child's death to Poirot.

Appears from the start

A thirteen-year-old girl known for boasting and exaggeration. During preparations for the party, she declares that she once saw a murder but did not understand what it was at the time.

First appears in chapter 2

Joyce's younger brother, observant and opportunistic. He notices adult behaviour that others overlook and understands that information can sometimes be exchanged for money.

Appears from the start

The capable woman who hosts the children's Halloween party at her large house. A leading figure in local good works, she manages people briskly and has close ties to several past events in Woodleigh Common.

Appears from the start

A friend of Ariadne Oliver and the mother of Miranda. Intelligent and self-contained, she has built a quiet life with her daughter while remaining guarded about Miranda's father.

First appears in chapter 2

Judith Butler's imaginative twelve-year-old daughter. Thoughtful and unusually responsive to beauty, she pays close attention to the adults and places around Woodleigh Common.

First appears in chapter 10

A gifted landscape designer responsible for an elaborate garden created for the late Mrs Llewellyn-Smythe. His charm, beauty, and single-minded artistic vision have left a strong impression in the village.

First appears in chapter 8

A wealthy invalid formerly at the centre of Rowena Drake's household. She spent heavily on Michael Garfield's garden and made disputed arrangements concerning the young woman who assisted her.

First appears in chapter 8

A young foreign woman who worked as Mrs Llewellyn-Smythe's companion. After a codicil appeared to benefit her and was challenged as a forgery, she disappeared from Woodleigh Common.

First appears in chapter 5

A retired senior police officer and an old acquaintance of Poirot. Having lived in the district, he supplies a disciplined account of the unexplained deaths, scandals, and disappearances that might lie behind Joyce's claim.

First appears in chapter 6

The headmistress of the local school, experienced in distinguishing ordinary childish boasting from behaviour that signals genuine fear. She helps Poirot understand Joyce and the other children.

Appears from the start

A local teacher who helped supervise the Halloween party. Practical and attentive, she was among the adults moving through the house during the games.