Short Fiction · Character

Mr. and Mrs. Merritt

A couple who encounter strange phenomena during the Terror.

minor

Also known as Merritt, Mr. Merritt, the foolish Merritt

First appearance: the terror

Mr. and Mrs. Merritt's tie to Dr. Lewis is one of the pressures that moves Short Fiction—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Mr. and Mrs. Merritt first appears in 0036 the terror.

With Dr. Lewis (professional): Dr. Lewis provides medical care to the Merritt family, with frequent home visits. With Dr. Lewis (professional): Dr. Lewis provides medical care to the Merritt family, with frequent home visits. With Dr. Lewis (professional): Dr. Lewis provides medical care to the Merritt family, with frequent home visits.

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Character Web

15 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Great Return and Terror Phenomena
Supernatural and Terror Investigators
Harlesden Strange Events
White People Narratives

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak occurs when the soldier awakens to a profound sense of "delicious ease," "assurance of comf…

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Relationships

Dr. Lewis
professional · positive
Dr. Lewis
professional · positive
Dr. Lewis
professional · positive

Relationship notes

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

See Mr. and Mrs. Merritt in the terror

In the story

Mr. and Mrs. Merritt appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Mr. Remnant’s Z-Ray
Mr. Merritt visits Porth with his wife; describes the terror and unexplained events in Midlingham, including a man who vanished after taking a shortcut.
VII: The Case of the Hidden Germans
Merritt, Lewis's brother-in-law, recounts the conspiracy theory about Germans hiding underground in the Midlands.
VIII: What Mr. Merritt Found
Mr. Merritt is the central figure, recovering from dismay and exploring the countryside, while his wife is present but passive.
IX: The Light on the Water
Merritt is on holiday in Meirion, unaware of the full terror; he witnesses a light from a farmhouse and later theorizes it caused the boat disaster.
X: The Child and the Moth
Mentioned as conscious of the restrictions on wandering; part of the summer visitors.
At Treff Loyne Farm
Merritt is mentioned as the foolish farmer who thought he saw signal lights from Penyrhaul.
XIV: The End of the Terror
Referenced in Lewis's recollection of the evening with flashlights.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. and Mrs. Merritt unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. and Mrs. Merritt in the terror