The Jade God · Character

Perkins

The Derricks' uncanny housekeeper at Beech Lodge, whose dream-haunted sleep mutters fragments of Malay and unsettles even the men who fear her.

supporting

Also known as Derrick, Miss Derrick, II Perkins Miss Derrick, Presently Derrick, Perkins knocks, no Perkins

First appearance: II: Perkins

As a supporting figure in The Jade God, Perkins is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The maid with an 'extraordinary expression' that makes Edith feel cold.

In the storyI: The Old HouseOpen this moment free

See Perkins in I: The Old House Book page

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Perkins stayed on at Beech Lodge after the Thursbys left, and Jean Millicent recognizes her instantly as part of the house itself. She is a queer woman, best left alone, as Martin warns with a meaningful touch to his forehead — yet her unconscious babbling in an Eastern tongue becomes a thread Derrick cannot ignore. Her presence keeps the cottage's buried history alive, making her a quiet hinge between the household's daily life and the mystery beneath it.

Continue beside the text

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

See Perkins in II: Perkins

Character Web

28 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Psychological
Social

Character groups

Central Cast & Occult
Protagonist

+23 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Derrick’s psychological whirl and Martin’s shift from silent, fearful contemplation to a “new look” and awkwar…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

John Martin
professional · positive
John Martin and Perkins have a frequent, likely employer-servant or colleague dynamic,… How this plays out →
The Woman
psychological · ambivalent
Edith Derrick
professional · positive
Sergeant Burke
professional · ambivalent
Henry Millicent
social · positive
Mr. Thursby
social · positive
Jean Millicent
social · positive
John Martin
professional · positive
John Martin and Perkins have a frequent, likely employer-servant or colleague dynamic,… How this plays out →
Edith Derrick
professional · positive
Sergeant Burke
professional · ambivalent
Henry Millicent
social · positive
The Woman
psychological · ambivalent

John Martin
John Martin and Perkins have a frequent, likely employer-servant or colleague dynamic, with Perkins being a central figure in the household.
The Woman
Perkins and The Woman share an intense, possibly obsessive or manipulative connection, given their extremely high interaction count.
Edith Derrick
Edith Derrick interacts frequently with Perkins, suggesting a close servant-mistress or trusted employee relationship.
Sergeant Burke
Perkins and Sergeant Burke have a professional relationship, likely involving investigation or police matters.
Henry Millicent
Henry Millicent and Perkins are frequent acquaintances, possibly due to household or community connections.
Mr. Thursby
Mr. Thursby and Perkins are frequent social acquaintances, possibly within the same household or community.
Jean Millicent
Jean Millicent and Perkins are social acquaintances, likely through household visits.
John Martin
John Martin and Perkins have a frequent, likely employer-servant or colleague dynamic, with Perkins being a central figure in the household.
Edith Derrick
Edith Derrick interacts frequently with Perkins, suggesting a close servant-mistress or trusted employee relationship.
Sergeant Burke
Perkins and Sergeant Burke have a professional relationship, likely involving investigation or police matters.
Henry Millicent
Henry Millicent and Perkins are frequent acquaintances, possibly due to household or community connections.
The Woman
Perkins and The Woman share an intense, possibly obsessive or manipulative connection, given their extremely high interaction count.

Relationship notes

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

See Perkins in II: Perkins

In the story

Perkins appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: The Old House
The maid with an 'extraordinary expression' that makes Edith feel cold. She is described as making Mrs. Thursby feel like an intruder.
II: Perkins
Perkins is revealed as a mystic figure who believes the house has absorbed evil from the past. She communicates with the spirit of Mr. Millicent and guides Derrick toward understanding the supernatural forces at play.
III: The Man from the East
Reveals the gardener's return, advises Derrick on hiring him, remains enigmatic.
IV: Jean
Perkins is seen at the window of Beech Lodge and later appears in a trance-like state, mourning her master and kissing the bloodstain on the desk.
V: The Paper-Knife
The housekeeper at Beech Lodge, known to sleepwalk and to be drawn to the desk where Mr. Millicent was found.
VI: God—Or Devil?
Described as a sphinx-like figure, a domestic automaton who talks in her sleep and mourns her murdered master.
VII: A Mysterious Peddler
Derrick briefly considers whether Perkins might know Eastern languages, recalling her dream-haunted sleep and babbling.
VIII: The Power of the Unknown
Perkins drops a tray of coffee cups upon hearing that Martin is charged with murder, revealing her deep emotional turmoil.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Perkins in II: Perkins

See Perkins in I: The Old House