Michael Shayne: Private Detective

Out-of-work private detective Mike Shayne is hired to watch over Phyllis and navigate the dangerous underworld while her father is away. He’s sharp, skeptical of criminals, and determined to protect his client. His deductive mind pieces together alibis and motives to drive the case forward.

Phyllis is spirited and impulsive, gambling away her inheritance and dating shady figures. Her actions ignite the central conflict and draw Shayne into danger. She embodies the tension between allure and recklessness that propels the plot.

Wealthy racing executive and Phyllis’ father, anxious about his daughter’s choices and the family reputation. He wields influence in the racing world and becomes entangled in the crime’s web. His protective stance is challenged as the plot escalates.

Thomas owns Banjo Boy and orchestrates the race-fixing scheme to secure a large payoff. He is calculating, desperate for cash, and willing to cross lines to protect his interests. His scheme sets off the murder and blackmail that Shayne must solve.

A shady underworld figure who participates in the scheme and dates Phyllis. He’s cunning and becomes a victim of the plan when he’s murdered. His presence embodies the danger lurking in the criminal underworld Shayne must navigate.

Casino owner and power broker who orchestrates part of the plot and acts as a hub for information. He’s pragmatic and protective of his interests, even as he faces the fallout of the murder.

Gordon’s daughter and Grange’s former lover, who stumbles upon the murder and becomes a focal point of suspicion. Distressed and morally unsettled, she drives some of the investigation’s dramatic moments.

A shady fixer who pressures Thomas and later blackmails others. He’s opportunistic and ruthless, a catalyst for the murder and deception that Shayne must uncover.

Hiram Brighton’s sisterly figure whose presence adds warmth and a sense of moral clarity amid crime. She acts as a social anchor for the characters and a reminder of what’s at stake.