Scarhaven Keep · Character

Mr. Gilling

An antiquarian and collector of old playbills whose quiet obsession with the past makes him an unexpectedly useful pair of eyes in the hunt.

supporting

Also known as Gilling, The Old Playbill Gilling

First appearance: The Old Playbill

As a supporting figure in Scarhaven Keep, Mr. Gilling is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Arrives disguised as a curate; reveals he is a private detective sent by Sir Cresswell Oliver to watch Greyle.

In the storyThe Invalid CurateOpen this moment free

See Mr. Gilling in The Invalid Curate Book page

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Gilling works alongside Copplestone and Swallow, trading the glamour of the chase for patient tracking and careful reporting. He brings the investigator's temperament—methodical, wry, undeterred by dead ends—to a case…

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The fuller portrait of Mr. Gilling sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. Gilling in The Old Playbill

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Mr. Gilling sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Central Mystery Characters
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Vickers, after observing Chatfield’s changed d…

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Relationships

Richard Copplestone
professional · positive
Marston Greyle
professional · positive
Marston Greyle
professional · positive
Richard Copplestone
professional · positive
Richard Copplestone
professional · positive
Marston Greyle
professional · positive

Richard Copplestone
Mr. Gilling is a local solicitor who assists Richard with legal matters and the investigation into the Greyle family secrets.
Marston Greyle
Marston Greyle and Mr. Gilling work together as client and solicitor, managing the Greyle family's legal affairs.
Marston Greyle
Marston Greyle and Mr. Gilling work together as client and solicitor, managing the Greyle family's legal affairs.
Richard Copplestone
Mr. Gilling is a local solicitor who assists Richard with legal matters and the investigation into the Greyle family secrets.
Richard Copplestone
Mr. Gilling is a local solicitor who assists Richard with legal matters and the investigation into the Greyle family secrets.
Marston Greyle
Marston Greyle and Mr. Gilling work together as client and solicitor, managing the Greyle family's legal affairs.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Gilling in The Old Playbill

In the story

Mr. Gilling appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Invalid Curate
Arrives disguised as a curate; reveals he is a private detective sent by Sir Cresswell Oliver to watch Greyle.
Beneath the Brambles
Accompanies Copplestone as a pseudocurate; examines the parapet and finds loose masonry, suggesting Oliver may have been pushed.
By Private Treaty
Takes charge of the documents, plans to communicate with the St. Louis address, and questions Mrs. Greyle about the Squire's arrival.
The Cablegram from New York
Leads the trip to London; learns from Swallow that Greyle has evaded surveillance and visited the Fragonard Club.
In Touch with the Missing
Leads the investigation in Falmouth, now out of clerical disguise; interviews the hotel landlord and Dr. Tretheway.
The Old Playbill
Leads the investigation; discovers the old playbill linking Addie Chatfield to Bristol.
The Lie on the Tombstone
Leads the investigation, interviews Mrs. Salmon, deduces the conspiracy, and confirms the grave of the real Marston Greyle.
The Torpedo-Boat Destroyer
Sends a telegram to Copplestone urging him to come to Norcaster for important news involving Spurge.
The Squire
Relates Swallow's tracking of the Squire to the Fragonard Club and Scarhaven, and mentions warrants for Chatfield and the Squire for murder.
The Reaver's Glen
Ushers Spurge into the room and closes the door; part of the listening group.
The Peel Tower
Takes the message from Sir Cresswell, helps plan the expedition, and accompanies the party to Reaver's Glen.
The Footprints
Assists in reviving Jim Spurge, examines the footprints and car tracks, and concludes the chests were taken to Norcaster by motor.
The Greengrocer's Cart
Accompanies Sir Cresswell and Vickers to the quay and is briefed by Copplestone on Addie Chatfield's involvement.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Gilling unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Gilling in The Old Playbill

See Mr. Gilling in The Invalid Curate