# Doctor Dreeme — The Place Called Dagon character guide > Doctor Dreeme in The Place Called Dagon by Herbert Gorman. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dreeme, Daniel Dreeme, Dr. Daniel Dreeme **First appearance:** 0001-the-place-called-dagon ## Snapshot A young physician newly settled in Marlborough, Daniel Dreeme pulls at a village's buried secrets until its silence turns dangerous and personal. ## Who they are Dreeme arrives in Marlborough as an outsider, and his medical curiosity hardens into obsession once a body, a goat's-head scrap, and a brooch begin to rhyme. He is impatient with the town's evasions and reckless in his pursuit of the truth, a flaw that draws him toward people and places he should avoid. His stubborn refusal to let the mystery rest is what forces the story out of rumor and into open confrontation. ## Relationships ### [Humphrey Lathrop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/humphrey_lathrop) _psychological_ Doctor Dreeme exerts a powerful, obsessive influence over Humphrey, who is drawn into Dreeme's dark world and secrets. ### [Deborah Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/deborah_morton) _romantic_ Deborah is deeply infatuated with Doctor Dreeme, but their relationship is fraught with manipulation and unrequited intensity. ### [Martha Westcott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/martha_westcott) _psychological_ Doctor Dreeme uses Martha as a pawn in his schemes, controlling her through fear and dependency. ### [Jeffrey Westcott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/jeffrey_westcott) _rivalry_ Doctor Dreeme and Jeffrey are locked in a bitter conflict over power and influence in the town, each seeking to undermine the other. ### [Walden Slater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/walden_slater) _professional_ Doctor Dreeme employs Walden as a trusted but morally conflicted assistant, often using him to carry out dubious tasks. ### [Mrs. Slater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/mrs_slater) _social_ Doctor Dreeme maintains a polite but distant acquaintance with Mrs. Slater, who is wary of his influence over her husband. ### [Wagner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/wagner) _professional_ Doctor Dreeme employs Wagner as a henchman, using him for intimidation and dirty work. ### [Simon Barnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/simon_barnson) _professional_ Doctor Dreeme has a business relationship with Simon Barnson, who provides him with resources and information. ### [Marlborough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/marlborough) _professional_ Doctor Dreeme has a professional association with Marlborough, who assists him in legal or financial matters. ### [Humphrey Lathrop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/humphrey_lathrop) _psychological_ Doctor Dreeme exerts a powerful, obsessive influence over Humphrey, who is drawn into Dreeme's dark world and secrets. ### [Jeffrey Westcott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/jeffrey_westcott) _rivalry_ Doctor Dreeme and Jeffrey are locked in a bitter conflict over power and influence in the town, each seeking to undermine the other. ### [Deborah Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/deborah_morton) _romantic_ Deborah is deeply infatuated with Doctor Dreeme, but their relationship is fraught with manipulation and unrequited intensity. ## In the story ### [The Place Called Dagon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/the-place-called-dagon) Leads the rescue party through Briony Wood to Dagon, witnesses the Esbat ceremony, and rescues Deborah. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) The protagonist, a young doctor in Marlborough, is called to the Westcott farm. He is observant, curious, and feels an intangible mystery hanging over the town. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii) Travels to the Westcott farm at night to treat a gunshot wound; observes the dark, oppressive atmosphere of the valley. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii) Treats Westcott's wound, observes the library and Martha with fascination, and feels unsettled by Westcott's probing analysis. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) The protagonist, a curious young doctor, reflects on the history and character of Marlborough, sensing a hidden, profound mystery beneath the town's surface. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii) Dreeme is deeply unsettled by the Westcotts and the valley's mysteries, his thoughts spiraling into obsessive speculation. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii) Dreeme dines at the Slater house, observes the family, and is intrigued by Deborah. He feels restless and lightheaded, planning to visit Humphrey Lathrop. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii) Seeks understanding from Lathrop about the Westcotts and Marlborough's mysteries, but is warned against prying too deeply. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) Protagonist, introspective and determined to solve the community's mysteries. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii) Engages in a tense conversation with Martha Westcott, resisting her advances and feeling uneasy in her presence. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) Listens intently to Deborah's story, feeling a growing sense of unease and connection to the events she describes. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii) Observes the table's tension, feels like a sojourner, and suspects the community's secrets. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) Frustrated and determined, Dreeme seeks advice from Lathrop about the stalled murder investigation. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii) Walks home under the stars, troubled by two speaking shadows. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii) Dreeme is conflicted, torn between his desire to leave and his attachment to Deborah, while also being drawn to the mystery of Dagon and Martha's promise. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iv) Confronts Westcott, reflects on his madness, and resolves to protect Deborah. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) Walks with Deborah, confesses his love, and notices the goat's head brooch. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii) Listens to Martha's story, feels pity and attraction, but is repelled by the mark on her shoulder. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/viii) Called to the Westcott farm to treat Jeffrey's wound; observes the family dynamics and begins to suspect deeper troubles. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) Determined to confront Lathrop and resolve the mysteries, despite the storm and town's hostility. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii) Listens to Lathrop's account of the valley's past and agrees that he should leave soon, reflecting on the recent events. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii) Announces his intention to marry Deborah, observes the tense atmosphere, and engages in trivial conversation with Slater and Burroughs. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iv) Awakened by Slater and follows him into the storm, learning of Deborah's disappearance. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ix) Continues his investigation into the strange occurrences, balancing his medical rationality with the growing supernatural evidence. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) Accompanies Slater on the search, driven by concern for Deborah's safety and a vow to kill Westcott and Burroughs if she is harmed. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii) Struggles through Briony Wood, battling fear and imagination, but regains determination to find Deborah. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii) Follows Walden Slater through the swamp, clutching Deborah's brooch, and is the primary observer of the journey to Dagon. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/x) Observes the ritual from hiding, analyzing the psychology of the fanatical gathering. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) Runs through Briony Wood in bare feet, carrying Deborah's safety as his primary concern, feeling a growing sense of justice and spiritual clarity. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii) Watches the Westcott farmhouse burn, confronts Corey's plea for silence, and witnesses a man fall into the flames. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii) Refreshed and neatly shaved, Dreeme discusses the farmers' situation with Lathrop and is surprised by the old doctor's lenient views. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/doctor_dreeme - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters