The Murders in Praed Street · Character

Ted Copperdock

The shopkeeper's son, newly smartened in dress and speech, whose courtship of Ivy Tovey is shadowed by her dead father's ambitions for her.

supporting

Also known as young Ted Copperdock, young Ted, Edward, Ted Copperdock, young Copperdock

First appearance: The Street

As a supporting figure in The Murders in Praed Street, Ted Copperdock is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Son of old Sam Copperdock, Ivy's companion for the day, whose prospects are limited to his father's shop.

In the storyThe StreetOpen this moment free

Ted works in the family business and has lately acquired a new smartness of appearance and carefulness of speech, evidently the effect of his frequent time with Ivy. He presses her to walk out with him, but she holds back, bound by her father's wish that she rise above her station. Their tentative romance gives the murder investigation a human stake in the younger generation of Praed Street.

See Ted Copperdock in The Street Book page

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Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Romantic
Other

Character groups

Praed Street suspects and investigators
Protagonist

+13 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

This is the story's dramatic climax because it delivers the psychological peak of dread and revelation as Prof…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Ivy Tovey
romantic · positive
Ivy and Ted share a romantic relationship, likely a secret or troubled courtship. How this plays out →
Ivy Tovey
romantic · positive
Ivy and Ted share a romantic relationship, likely a secret or troubled courtship. How this plays out →
Ivy Tovey
romantic · positive
Ivy and Ted share a romantic relationship, likely a secret or troubled courtship. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Ted Copperdock in The Street

In the story

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

The Street
Son of old Sam Copperdock, Ivy's companion for the day, whose prospects are limited to his father's shop.
III: The Inquest
Listens to his father's account of the inquest and hopes Mr. Ludgrove might offer a clue. Later, he privately presses Ivy Tovey about their relationship.
IV: The Poisoned Pipe-Stem
Copperdock fears that Ted's friendship with Dick Colburn and his interest in Ivy Tovey may lead to suspicion.
V: Inspector Whyland
Mentioned as developing new smartness and carefulness due to his time with Ivy Tovey.
XI: The Sixth Counter
Returns from visiting the Toveys and tries to reassure his father, suggesting the counter was a prank. He accompanies his father to the Cambridge Arms and back.
XII: A Hypodermic Needle
Returns home at a quarter past twelve, discovers his father's body, and provides an alibi involving Miss Tovey.
XV: The Bone Counters
Visits Mr. Ludgrove with Ivy Tovey, provides an envelope from his office, and is shocked to learn it matches those used for the counters.
XXIII: The Will
Visits Dr. Priestley with Ivy to ask for help combining their inheritance shares.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Ted Copperdock in The Street