Dressed to Kill

A seasoned private investigator with sharp instincts and a calm demeanor. He pieces together clues from the hotel’s social fabric, noticing small details—like the dog‑head prop—that hint at a deeper conspiracy. His persistence and logical approach push the case toward a layered solution rather than a quick verdict.

A singer engaged to Shayne, she moves through the hotel nightlife with charm and vulnerability. Her involvement with the case and the revelation of her past complicate Shayne’s trust. Her decision to elope at the end adds emotional weight to the resolution.

The police inspector overseeing the investigation with steady authority. He collaborates with Shayne, though the plot shows him being knocked unconscious, illustrating the noir world’s unpredictable danger. His presence grounds the investigation amid shifting loyalties.

Hotel manager who explains the origin of the costumes and oversees the building’s operations. He acts as a gatekeeper to the troupe’s secrets and the hotel’s hidden corners, providing essential context about the show’s history and the tensions within the company.

The show’s brightest star and a focal point of the troupe’s tensions. Her murder exposes rivalries and past entanglements within the company, making her more than just a victim in the eyes of the investigation.

The theater owner whose death triggers the unraveling of old grievances and hidden financial schemes among the cast and crew.

An actor tied to a past production; his fate and presence are tied to the show’s history and lingering grudges within the troupe.

An actor who hints at old grievances and hints at hidden loyalties within the company, driving Shayne to map the troupe’s social web.

A cast member who had stolen money from Lathrop; he becomes a suspect whose actions complicate the motive landscape.

The musical director with a drinking problem who also resides at the hotel; his role widens the web of blackmail and personal betrayal. He becomes a pivotal piece in the financial intrigue surrounding Lathrop’s circle.

Louis Lathrop’s wife, who confesses to embezzling funds but insists she is not the murderer. Her actions reveal how financial desperation can ripple into deadly outcomes.

Emily the hotel maid who is later revealed to be Lynne Evans, adding a shocking twist about identity and past relationships tied to Desiree and Lathrop. Her knowledge of the hotel’s quiet corners makes her a dangerous informant and a key to solving the case.

The theater doorman who delivers a dramatic confession revealing the killer’s identity and motive. His arrival shifts the investigation from suspicion to a clear accounting of the crimes.