Danger Signal

A mysterious pulp writer and psychopath who hides in plain sight. He brazenly steals a dead woman’s ring, forges a suicide note, and fabricates a wounded-veteran backstory to prey on vulnerable women. He is charming, calculating, and fearless, though unstable beneath the surface, and he uses his apparent vulnerability to mask predatory intent. His downfall comes when truth and pursuit collide at the edge of a cliff.

Elder daughter living with her mother and sister, she is impressionable and eager for romance. She falls under Marsh’s spell, dreaming of marriage and security, despite mounting warnings. Her jealousy and suspicion drive dangerous plot twists, including a doomed plan to poison Marsh. Her feelings push the narrative toward a dramatic confrontation.

Teenaged daughter who becomes the object of Marsh’s attraction due to potential inheritance. She is drawn into the web of deceit and quickly becomes a pawn in his game. Her innocence contrasts with Marsh’s predatory cunning, highlighting the danger of blurred boundaries between charm and manipulation.

Anne and Hilda’s disbelieving husband who suspects his wife’s fidelity and fears foul play. He questions the official cause of death and pursues the truth, despite limited evidence. His pursuit leads to a climactic confrontation that reveals the danger Marsh poses.

A professor who secretly loves Hilda, offering rational perspectives amid the chaos. He represents a steady, ethical counterpoint to Marsh’s manipulation and provides emotional stakes for the central romance.

Mother figure who shares the house with her daughters, her practical, thrifty nature creates a stable backdrop for the unfolding drama. She mediates domestic life and becomes a quiet witness to Marsh’s encroaching deception.