# McNeil — The Time Traders character guide

> McNeil in The Time Traders by Andre Norton.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A blunt, quick-tempered agent who worked the Beaker cover alongside Sanford, McNeil turns grief and guilt into a hunger for answers about who killed their people.

## Who they are

McNeil is the mission's memory, able to recite Sanford's informant network from Britain to Brittany and to swear no warning ever came. He explodes at dead ends and needles Ashe for a plan, but his knowledge of the dead agent's methods is what keeps the investigation moving. His raw frustration gives the hunt for the Reds a human cost, and his sharp questions push the team toward the truth.

## Relationships

### [Ross Murdock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/characters/ross_murdock)

_friendship_

McNeil is a fellow agent and comrade-in-arms who works alongside Ross on dangerous missions.

### [Ashe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/characters/ashe)

_friendship_

Ashe and McNeil are fellow agents who cooperate closely, sharing a professional camaraderie.

### [Ross Murdock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/characters/ross_murdock)

_friendship_

McNeil is a fellow agent and comrade-in-arms who works alongside Ross on dangerous missions.

### [Ross Murdock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/characters/ross_murdock)

_friendship_

McNeil is a fellow agent and comrade-in-arms who works alongside Ross on dangerous missions.

### [Ashe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/characters/ashe)

_friendship_

Ashe and McNeil are fellow agents who cooperate closely, sharing a professional camaraderie.

### [Ashe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/characters/ashe)

_friendship_

Ashe and McNeil are fellow agents who cooperate closely, sharing a professional camaraderie.

## In the story

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/vi)

Found by Ross in the marsh; injured and later tied up by Lal.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/vii)

Freed by Ross; recounts the destruction of the hill post by Reds; suffers from burns and exhaustion.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/viii)

Participates in training and the parachute drop, expressing concerns about the unknown territory.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/ix)

McNeil discusses Red cover strategies, suggests faking a ruined camp, and escapes with Ross after the attack.

### [The Prisoner and the Strange Village](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/x)

Referenced as Macna, a far trader with Assha.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/xiii)

Haggard and bearded, McNeil finds Ross, shares grain, and reports Ashe's worsening condition; later helps tunnel into Ross's cell.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/xiv)

Scouts ahead, reports on tribal migrations, helps build the raft, and is separated from Ross after the river accident.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/xv)

Mentioned as missing and presumed dead after the raft broke up; his tied string is found by Ross.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/xviii)

Mentioned as having been with Ashe during the raft voyage and subsequent signal fire wait.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/characters/mcneil
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_time_traders_se/characters