Hercule Poirot– retired detective who investigates the central murder.
Roger Ackroyd– wealthy businessman and widower who is distressed by the recent death of the woman he wants to marry, Mrs Ferrars.
Mrs Cecil Ackroyd– Mr Ackroyd's widowed sister-in-law. She lives with her brother-in-law the last two years, having no other means and is woman of fast-changing opinions.
Flora Ackroyd– Mr Ackroyd's niece and Mrs Cecil Ackroyd's daughter. She is engaged first to Ralph at her uncle's request, then to Major Blunt, on her own preference.
Captain Ralph Paton– Mr Ackroyd's stepson by his late wife, also referred to as his "adopted" son. Handsome and charming, he lacks discipline. He thinks Sheppard is his friend, but Sheppard chose him to be the most likely suspect to the police.
Ursula Bourne– Mr Ackroyd's parlourmaid, who is secretly married to Ralph Paton. She is poor but a lady, and this position as maid is her first one, to support herself. She informs Mr Ackroyd of her marriage to Ralph earlier in the day of his murder, and gave her notice when he reacted angrily.
Major Hector Blunt– big game hunter, Roger Ackroyd's friend and house guest, five years younger than Ackroyd.
Geoffrey Raymond– Mr Ackroyd's young and energetic secretary.
John Parker– Mr Ackroyd's butler.
Elizabeth Russell– Mr Ackroyd's housekeeper, still attractive in her forties.
Charles Kent– Elizabeth Russell's illegitimate son, about 22 years old and a drug addict recently arrived from Canada.
Dr James Sheppard– the local doctor, a middle aged man, Poirot's assistant, as well as the story's narrator.
Caroline Sheppard– Dr Sheppard's older, single sister, who has a gift for staying informed on all activities in the village.
Dorothy Ferrars– who poisons herself at the very beginning of the book after admitting her crime to Ackroyd and seeing his reaction; she resided in King's Paddock, the other notable home in the village.
Ashley Ferrars– late husband of Mrs Ferrars, who was poisoned by his wife a year earlier; he was a mean drunk man.
Mrs Folliott– Reference for parlourmaid Ursula Bourne, who it is revealed later is Ursula's older, married sister.
Colonel Melrose– Chief constable for the area.
Inspector Raglan– Inspector from the nearby larger town of Cranchester.
Inspector Davis– Local inspector.
Mr Hammond– Roger Ackroyd's lawyer.
Ship steward– out of town patient to Dr Sheppard who agrees to call him from the local train station at a specific time, and confirms this to Poirot by a telegram from aboard his ship.
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