Aubrey Gilbert

Titania Chapman

Aubrey is a persistent suitor to Titania, whose initial resistance gradually gives way to mutual affection and romantic tension.

Roger Mifflin

Aubrey and Roger develop a close, mentor-like friendship as Aubrey becomes involved in the bookshop's mysteries and Roger's philosophical world.

Helen Mifflin

Aubrey and Helen share a warm, cordial friendship, with Helen often acting as a confidante and ally.

Mr. Chapman

Aubrey interacts with Mr. Chapman primarily as Titania's father, with a polite but somewhat distant acquaintance.

Bock

Aubrey actively investigates and confronts Bock, viewing him as a dangerous enemy in the unfolding mystery.

Roger Mifflin

Aubrey and Roger develop a close, mentor-like friendship as Aubrey becomes involved in the bookshop's mysteries and Roger's philosophical world.

Titania Chapman

Aubrey is a persistent suitor to Titania, whose initial resistance gradually gives way to mutual affection and romantic tension.

Roger Mifflin

Aubrey and Roger develop a close, mentor-like friendship as Aubrey becomes involved in the bookshop's mysteries and Roger's philosophical world.

Mr. Chapman

Aubrey interacts with Mr. Chapman primarily as Titania's father, with a polite but somewhat distant acquaintance.

Titania Chapman

Aubrey is a persistent suitor to Titania, whose initial resistance gradually gives way to mutual affection and romantic tension.

Helen Mifflin

Aubrey and Helen share a warm, cordial friendship, with Helen often acting as a confidante and ally.

Bock

Aubrey actively investigates and confronts Bock, viewing him as a dangerous enemy in the unfolding mystery.

Dedication

Referred to as the young advertising man who fell in love with Titania Chapman.

The Haunted Bookshop

A young advertising man who becomes intrigued by the bookshop and its owner, setting off a chain of investigative events.

I: The Haunted Bookshop

A young advertising agent who visits the Haunted Bookshop for the first time, drawn by its lack of advertising. He is curious and takes notes on Mifflin's philosophy.

IV: The Disappearing Volume

Visits briefly in the beginning, joins the reading, and awkwardly conveys Mr. Chapman's regards to Titania.

Aubrey Walks Part Way Home—and Rides the Rest of the Way

Walks home from the bookshop, daydreams about Titania, visits Weintraub's drug store, pockets a Cromwell book cover, and is attacked on the street.

Aubrey Takes Lodgings

Rents a room opposite the bookshop to spy on Titania; recovers from his head wound; reads O. Henry and scans the newspaper.

Aubrey Goes to the Movies, and Wishes He Knew More German

Has supper, joins Titania and Helen at the movies, then investigates the alley behind the bookshop.

Roger Raids the Icebox

Mentioned as having joined Titania and Helen at the movies and plans to fix the furnace on Monday.

XI: Titania Tries Reading in Bed

Watches Weintraub enter the bookshop at night, breaks into the shop the next morning, and confronts Titania about the danger he perceives.

Aubrey Determines to Give Service That’s Different

Spends a miserable Sunday regretting his quarrel with Titania, resolves to prove his suspicions, and conducts a dangerous nighttime surveillance of Weintraub's pharmacy.

XIII: The Battle of Ludlow Street

Aubrey wakes at six to follow Roger, trailing him to Philadelphia and confronting him at Leary's bookstore.

XIV: The Cromwell Makes Its Last Appearance

Aubrey reveals his suspicions to Roger, shows him the numbers from the Cromwell cover, and rushes back to Brooklyn to protect Titania and Helen.

Mr. Chapman Waves His Wand

Offered a job by Mr. Chapman, solves the Cromwell cipher, and shares a romantic moment with Titania.