The Scarlet Claw

Holmes is the razor-sharp detective who distrusts whispered legends and relies on logic, observation, and planning. He identifies Ramson's disguises and uses a carefully constructed trap to unmask the killer. His calm demeanor and relentless curiosity drive the investigation from superstition to evidence.

Watson provides steadiness and practical support, observing the monstrous rumor and assisting Holmes with medical and perceptual observations. He often serves as the audience's proxy, reacting to the uncanny while grounding the investigation in reality. His loyalty and companionship help Holmes pursue leads through danger.

Lady Penrose is murdered in the village, triggering Holmes's investigation. Her death and the telegram she supposedly sent before her demise reveal possible motives and connections to past cases. She embodies the aristocratic strand of the mystery, whose fate becomes tied to the village's secrets.

Lord Penrose is the concerned husband who alerts Holmes to his wife’s murder. His position and status place him at the center of social tensions within the marshland community. He represents the official, albeit limited, channel through which the case progresses.

Alistair Ramson is the master of disguise and the principal murderer, concealing his identity behind multiple personas. He manipulates the village’s fear and becomes the central mystery Holmes must unravel. Ramson's escape and pursuit heighten the tension until his ultimate confrontation.

Emile Journet is the inn-keeper and former prison guard who becomes a key figure in the mystery. His knowledge of the marsh and hidden locations makes him essential to the planned trap. Journet’s actions drive the suspense as the killer targets him and his family.

Marie Journet is Journet’s daughter who is killed by Ramson for withholding her father’s hideout. Her death fuels Holmes’s resolve and anchors the emotional stakes of the case. Her murder marks a turning point that forces the investigation toward the marsh’s secrets.

Judge Brisson is a village magistrate connected to the Ramson case through past verdicts. His murder heightens the sense of danger and demonstrates the killer’s reach within the community. Brisson’s death also raises questions about justice and loyalty in the town.