Crime Novella Character List

by Slush

The list of characters, their designations and descriptions, to be used in the round robin Crime Novella follows. Each character is listed with its creator in the order that the story will be written. Any writer can use any character at any time, of course.

Remember, try to keep the story within genre and—as much as possible—style, so the end result is a unified, complete story. About 2,000 words each.

1. Peter G (Episode 1)

Involved Relative

Audrey Ethel Ellis

Small, black-haired woman in her early 40s, always wears her hair in a bun. Lips perpetually pursed, with a disapproving look on her face. In fact is highly intelligent, deeply conservative, and yet prone to occasional flights of stunningly sensitive and beautiful observation that take everyone by surprise. LIkes to drive too fast. Eats too much but never puts on weight. Dresses in black. Is afraid of water.

2. Michele (Episode 2)

Enthusiastic Benefactor	Belinda Riley
	Female. Tall, blonde, blue eyes, horsey (long face, big eyes, big mouth) sporty. Self confident, officious, tries to take control of every situation. Occupation: Marriage guidance councillor whose own personal life is a mess. Part time women’s defence instructor.

2. Hugh (Episode 3)

?

Sophie

English. A bit brittle. Has been hurt. Has very good instincts for self-preservation. Usually lives and lets live, but has a weakness sometimes for diving in and helping people, despite herself. Resourceful, tough, not at all prissy though she teaches ballet. Pretty fearless. Knows Cairo well. Knows the dodges, knows the power structure, knows the movers and shakers in both local and expat communities. Has an extensive network of local women friends ... women of influence and power despite Muslim pressures. Intelligent, physically capable, many contacts and ‘mates’, but in actual fact something of a loner.

4. Simon

Aggressive Bystander

Slaninka

A twelve year old girl. She performs gymnastics at a the National level. She aspires for selection into the Olympic team. She is intelligent, focused and stubborn. Her father came fourth at the Olympics and killed himself from shame. She hopes to lay his spirit to rest by winning a medal for the family. Shoulder-length blonde hair with attractive but plain features she is physically strong for her age. She comes from a Romanian background.

5. Pil

Educated Enquirer

Julian Masters

Julian Masters is an out-of-work art curator. He resigned from the gallery he had managed for 10 years when the new owner started overruling all his decisions. He is enjoying his time off, as he hasn’t had a real holiday in years. He is thinking of taking a trip to see the pyramids for the first time. He has a pilot’s licence that he got during his 20s, but is only rated on small aircraft. He has no night rating. He is now 38 and reasonably fit. He used to play tennis regularly with his wife, Dawn, but she was killed when a yacht she was holidaying on sank 5 years before. Her body was never found. He still misses her, but has had a few girlfriends since. Woman find his slim build, dark hair and slow smile attractive.

6. Peter M

Guilty Participant	Lucas Feldt
	Ex circus clown. Now a hitman. Has made so much money from his expertise that he has attracted a crowd of hangers-on, many of them ex-carnies. A hard cold man with no sense of humour.

7. Karen

Mysterious Stranger

Suelen

Female, in her 30s. Born in Sri Lanka, but moved to Australia as young child. Attractive, fit with short dark haircut in a page boy style. Wears stylish expensive clothes. Owns apartment in fashionable artistic part of the city. Works as an accountant, which sounds boring but she’s a brilliant mathematician and creative accountant. Works for a high profile company and rubs shoulder with famous people. Enjoys parties, dances late but does not drink smoke or take drugs She is selfish, and thinks only of number one. Her family do not approve of her materialistic lifestyle. She is attractive and never short of male partners, but has never had a long term relationship. She enjoys kinky sex.

8. William

Fated Victim

Mr Reese

Dressed from head to foot in black, with blonde hair (and a widow’s peak). Unusual gloden/hazel eyes. Speaks with a beautiful but strangely neutral sounding voice. And has the impression of being lethal to any in his path... He is believed to be an ex assasin who has apparently taken leave of his occupation, but no-one is certain. He is mysterious and self contained a la the Jackal (orig version Edward Fox) and plays his cards close to his chest.