The Necromancers · Character

Mr. Baxter

A Catholic young man who comes to Mrs. Stapleton torn between contempt for spiritualism and a desperate hope of truly reaching the dead.

supporting

Also known as Dear Mr. Baxter, Baxter, young Mr. Baxter, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Baxter.

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in The Necromancers, Mr. Baxter is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as the sensitive subject of the séance, not yet in trance but at risk.

In the storyIIIOpen this moment free

See Mr. Baxter in III Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Laurie Baxter (family): Laurie's father, who is concerned about his son's spiritualist interests and tries to guide him back to conventional life. With Maggie Deronnais (professional): Maggie is a paid medium hired by Mr. Baxter to conduct séances, though he is skeptical of her authenticity. With Mr. Vincent (rivalry): Mr. Baxter distrusts Vincent and sees him as a corrupting influence on his son, leading to open conflict.

Continue beside the text

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

See Mr. Baxter in I

Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Family
Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Central and Supporting Cast
Protagonist

+13 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Lady Laura’s emotional peak occurs when the stranger’s direct, intimate knowledge of her secret role in the sé…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Laurie Baxter
family · positive
Laurie's father, who is concerned about his son's spiritualist interests and tries to… How this plays out →
Maggie Deronnais
professional · ambivalent
Mr. Vincent
rivalry · negative
Mrs. Baxter
family · ambivalent
Laurie Baxter
family · positive
Laurie's father, who is concerned about his son's spiritualist interests and tries to… How this plays out →
Laurie Baxter
family · positive
Laurie's father, who is concerned about his son's spiritualist interests and tries to… How this plays out →
Maggie Deronnais
professional · ambivalent
Maggie Deronnais
professional · ambivalent
Mr. Vincent
rivalry · negative
Mrs. Baxter
family · ambivalent
Mr. Vincent
rivalry · negative
Mrs. Baxter
family · ambivalent

Laurie Baxter
Laurie's father, who is concerned about his son's spiritualist interests and tries to guide him back to conventional life.
Maggie Deronnais
Maggie is a paid medium hired by Mr. Baxter to conduct séances, though he is skeptical of her authenticity.
Mr. Vincent
Mr. Baxter distrusts Vincent and sees him as a corrupting influence on his son, leading to open conflict.
Mrs. Baxter
The Baxters are a married couple who disagree on how to handle Laurie's spiritualist involvement, causing marital tension.
Laurie Baxter
Laurie's father, who is concerned about his son's spiritualist interests and tries to guide him back to conventional life.
Laurie Baxter
Laurie's father, who is concerned about his son's spiritualist interests and tries to guide him back to conventional life.
Maggie Deronnais
Maggie is a paid medium hired by Mr. Baxter to conduct séances, though he is skeptical of her authenticity.
Maggie Deronnais
Maggie is a paid medium hired by Mr. Baxter to conduct séances, though he is skeptical of her authenticity.
Mr. Vincent
Mr. Baxter distrusts Vincent and sees him as a corrupting influence on his son, leading to open conflict.
Mrs. Baxter
The Baxters are a married couple who disagree on how to handle Laurie's spiritualist involvement, causing marital tension.
Mr. Vincent
Mr. Baxter distrusts Vincent and sees him as a corrupting influence on his son, leading to open conflict.
Mrs. Baxter
The Baxters are a married couple who disagree on how to handle Laurie's spiritualist involvement, causing marital tension.

Relationship notes

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

See Mr. Baxter in I

In the story

Mr. Baxter appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Mr. Baxter in I

See Mr. Baxter in III