Cast of Characters

The Chasing Shadows Series

Book Four
A Ptarmigan's Fate

As the Chasing Shadows Series begins to draw to a close, explore more about each of the characters who make an appearance below:

Richard Morgan

Chief Constable

In the shape of a new man up from Glasgow, has James Cameron finally met his match? Morgan's robust and uncompromising style is sure to ruffle more than a few feathers in the quiet Highland constabulary, but with a proven track record on achieving results, perhaps this new approach is just what the Inverness County force needs.

Maj. Peregrine 'Perry' Sutherland (Ret.)

Distillery Owner, Farmer

Father of Andrew Sutherland, this Great War veteran never believed the reports that his son had defected to the Germans during the Second World War. Wherever he disappeared to, Perry just hopes that his boy might be content with his life. Isn't that what any father wants? Yet, when a damning letter from the Foreign Office confirms the worst, all Perry's hopes and dreams come to an abrupt end.

DS Hamish Ross

Sutherland Constabulary

Detective Sergeant Ross never really gelled with Cameron in the Fort William Division Station. A new posting up to Sutherland County might give him the opportunity he is looking for to further his ambitions within the police. Yet, when his old boss turns up on his new patch once again, Ross is concerned Cameron will steal the limelight.

Yuri Gordianov

Director, Östlicherinformationsdienst (OID)

Migrating across from East Germany's Ministry for State Security to Romania's Securitate, Gordianov is well-versed in Cold War spy craft. The goal of finding Manuela has still proven elusive and his most trusted lieutenant seems to have uncharacteristically failed him. Yet, the secrets that may be concealed within could just swing the balance of world power back to Moscow as a new star rises in the East.

Secondary Characters: Book Four

Maj. Andrei Zagorienkov

Premier Chauffeur, CCP

Still masquerading as a Russian Red Army officer in the employment of the Chinese Communist Party, Sutherland's luck looks finally to be running out as an investigator from Russia is determined to recall him back to Moscow to face charges of murder and treason.

Elise Sartre

French Socialite

An unfortunate incident onboard the luxurious Royal Highlander rail service between Inverness and London sets in motion a chain of events that unravels everything Elise has put together. Had it not been for a chance encounter with her unexpected dining companion in the First Class restaurant car, the skeletons in her closet might have remained hidden forever.

HH Franziska von Hapsburg-Lothringen

Archduchess

Of Yugoslavian descent, Her Highness married the youngest grandson of the last Emperor of the Hapsburg Imperial family. However, she becomes greatly alarmed by the presence of one of her fellow travellers as she and her husband also embark on the sumptuous overnight sleeper.

George Armstrong-Whyte

Colliery Owner

Originally from County Durham, George Armstrong-Whyte married into a wealthy Scottish landed family and has occupied various prestigious positions within the Inverness community. A tragic and unexpected event has devastating consequences for him, his family and the reputation he has been at pains to construct.

Maj. Richard Beauclair (Ret.)

Hotel Manager

A bond forged in the ferocious fighting of the Burma Campaign, Beauclair and Cameron were the only two officers from their unit to come out of the POW camp alive. Invalided out after the War, he now manages the very prestigious Station Hotel in Inverness.

Adelaide Armstrong-Whyte

Heiress

The heiress to a vast fortune and large estate, Adelaide is used to the finer things in life and has extremely exacting standards. Much to her horror and ignominy, she quickly and publicly discovers her own conduct has not lived up to the rigorous scrutiny she reserves for the world around her,

Gen. Lin

Burma Police

Promoted by Cameron to the rank of Inspector in the Rangoon Police before the Japanese invasion of Burma, Lin assisted the infamous Kempeitai during occupation as a means of survival. Since independence, Lin has risen to the rank of Police General and is amongst the most powerful men in the capital.

Emily Armstrong-Whyte

Debutante

Travelling down to London with her family and fiancé, a series of shocking revelations begins to turn her entire world upside down. Whatever happens next, after their epic voyage on the Royal Highlander, Emily knows her life will never quite be the same again.

Lance Fielding

US Senator

Since his election to Congress, Fielding has been instrumental in recent high-level trade negotiations between Britain and the United States. However, a figure from his distant past threatens to completely overturn everything he has worked for.

Christopher "C" Armitage

Chief, SIS

While Dame Harrington was alive, his role as Chief was always tempered by the whims and influence she continued to exercise. Since her sad, but inevitable departure however, it is time for 'C' to make his own mark in his role as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service.

Wilhelmina "Minnie" Armitage

Businesswoman

A scene of domestic bliss seems a far cry away from the life of an intelligence chief. However, Minnie skilfully juggles her demanding roles of housewife, mother and businesswoman to maintain the domestic front.

RAdm. Philip Coleman

Royal Navy

Obtaining the most junior rank of the admiralty late in his career, Coleman has something of a point to prove and limited time to do it. Using Royal Navy resources to keep the back channels open might gain him friends abroad, but if discovered, he could be accused of treason.