Another Man’s Poison

A successful mystery novelist who lives in an isolated house in Northern England. She is intelligent, composed, and willing to bend ethics to secure her desires. Her affair with Larry reveals a bold, dangerous side, and she uses calculated manipulation to achieve her goals. Her actions—poisoning, deception, and impersonation—show a readiness to eliminate threats to her life and ambitions.

A man who arrives claiming to be Janet's husband but is later revealed as an impostor. He is resourceful and opportunistic, willing to align with Janet's plan to achieve his own ends. His charm masks ulterior motives, and he becomes entangled in the dangerous web Janet has woven. In the end, his deception contributes to the house’s escalating peril.

A minor neighbor figure who appears in the remote setting, contributing to the sense of a small, watchful community around the isolated house. His presence adds to the tension by situating the events within a confined social circle. He remains a peripheral observer rather than a driver of the plot.

Chris's fiancé and Janet's younger lover. He becomes torn between his loyalty to Chris and his attraction to Janet. His love affair injects risk into the household and accelerates the cascade of choices that drive the plot toward its final, fatal consequences. His pursuit of happiness is overshadowed by the danger surrounding Janet's schemes.

The nosy veterinarian who treats Janet's horse and becomes a pivotal observer of the events. He seems to know more than he lets on and ultimately recognizes the impostor's identity. His measured, perceptive nature helps reveal the truth behind the deceit and the subsequent unraveling of Janet's plan.

Janet's secretary and Larry's fiancée. She discovers the affair, prompting a critical emotional crossroads. Her sense of loyalty and desire for a straightforward future push her toward decisive choices, including plans to leave for London. She represents a moral counterpoint to Janet's manipulations.

A minor, domestic presence whose role adds texture to the isolated setting. She participates in the everyday rhythms of the house, underscoring the claustrophobic atmosphere that frames Janet's dramatic acts.