Mollie Ralston: New owner/hostess of Monkswell Manor; anxious about hosting the inn's first guests; married to Giles for one year.

Giles Ralston: Owns Monkswell Manor with his wife Mollie; somewhat arrogant and jealous of the other guests' attentions toward Mollie.

Christopher Wren: The first guest to arrive at the hotel, Wren is a hyperactive young man who acts in a very peculiar manner. Wren claims to have been named after the architect of the same name by his parents.

Mrs. Boyle: Mrs. Boyle is an imposing woman in a bad temper; she complains about everything. She is disapproving of every effort that Mollie and Giles produce to make her comfortable.

Major Metcalf: Major Metcalf is middle-aged, squareshouldered, military in manner and bearing. He is friendly and very polite, and serves as a good counter to Mrs. Boyle during the play’s first act.

Miss Casewell: A strange, aloof, somewhat masculine woman who speaks offhandedly about the horrific experiences of her childhood.

Mr. Paravicini: A man of unknown provenance who turns up claiming his car has overturned in a snowdrift. He appears to be affecting a foreign accent and artificially aged with make-up.

Detective Sergeant Trotter: A cheerful, common-place man who arrives at the guest house on skis to investigate a local murder.