Haunted

A rational Oxford professor of parapsychology whose lifelong skepticism hides deep grief for his twin sister Juliet. He is drawn to Edbrook by Miss Webb's pleas, and his investigations pit intellect against growing personal vulnerability. Throughout the story his resolve is tested by desire, danger, and haunting memories.

The deceased sister whose ghost returns to confront David with unresolved guilt and to guide him toward truth. She embodies both a protective and punitive presence, blurring the line between memory and malevolent spirit. Her appearances drive the plot and illuminate the costs of grief.

The elderly nanny who is drawn into the Mariell family's secrets. She becomes a conduit for the ghosts and ultimately a target of the siblings' manipulation. Her confession reveals the dark crimes at Edbrook and her own complicity in keeping them hidden.

The alluring sister whose flirtation with David entwines romance with danger. She is part of the Mariell siblings' scheme to keep him from leaving and bears responsibility for the blood-soaked past in the house. She dies in a car crash, becoming a tragic figure bound to the mansion.

The older Mariell brother whose involvement in incestuous acts fuels the family's dark secrets. He appears as a malevolent memory in the house, a ghostly force pressing others to stay and cover up crimes. His presence drives the climactic confrontation.

The younger Mariell brother who participates in the family’s corrupt past and haunts the present through apparitions and guilt. His influence lingers in the house and in the ghostly chorus that orchestrates events.

The family doctor whose authority is challenged by the supernatural events; he embodies rational caution and conflicting loyalties. Juliet's ghost later reveals that he too has died, complicating David's search for answers.

David's assisting figure at the end, a grounded presence amid the chaos. She provides practical support as David returns home, serving as a contrast to the mansion's mythic terror.

A minor, enigmatic figure whose presence foreshadows the supernatural and hints at the broader reach of the curse surrounding Edbrook. Her role adds a layer of folklore to the story’s atmosphere.