The Trail of the Serpent · Character
Richard Marwood
A reckless, warm-hearted young man whom Slopperton calls 'Daredevil Dick,' he returns home penniless and hopeful, only to be accused of his uncle's murder.
major
Also known as Richard, Poor Richard, Master Richard, Mr. Richard Marwood, Mr. Marwood, poor Mr. Marwood
First appearance: IV: Richard Marwood Lights His Pipe
As a major figure in The Trail of the Serpent, Richard Marwood is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Returns home after seven years, footsore and penitent, accepts his uncle's offer of a new start.
Richard Marwood is the prodigal nephew whose uncle offers him one last chance at respectability: a clerk's berth in Gardenford and a fortune to follow. He is torn between genuine remorse and a fatal impulsiveness, radiant with resolve one minute and wishing himself hanged the next. His arrest for his uncle's murder makes him the axis of the novel's central injustice, and the reader's sympathy for his wasted promise drives the search for the truth.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
36 connectionsA slice of how Richard Marwood sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Friendship
- Romantic
- Other
Character groups
- Slopperton Crime Circle
- Supporting Cast and Subplots
- Investigation and Witnesses
- Past Crimes and Secret Societies
+31 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Valerie’s s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Augustus Darley
friendship · positive
Augustus Darley and Richard Marwood share a strong bond of friendship and mutual respect,… How this plays out →
- Daredevil Dick
friendship · positive
- Isabel Darley
romantic · positive
- The Smasher
friendship · positive
- Slopperton
friendship · positive
- Slopperton
friendship · positive
- Augustus Darley
friendship · positive
Augustus Darley and Richard Marwood share a strong bond of friendship and mutual respect,… How this plays out →
- The Smasher
friendship · positive
- Augustus Darley
friendship · positive
Augustus Darley and Richard Marwood share a strong bond of friendship and mutual respect,… How this plays out →
- Daredevil Dick
friendship · positive
- Daredevil Dick
friendship · positive
- Isabel Darley
romantic · positive
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Richard Marwood in IV: Richard Marwood Lights His PipeIn the story
Richard Marwood appears across 24 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- Good for Nothing
- IV: Richard Marwood Lights His Pipe
- VI: Two Coroner’s Inquests
- The Dumb Detective a Philanthropist
- Seven Letters on the Dirty Alphabet
- IX: “Mad, Gentlemen of the Jury”
- Book II: A Clearance of All Scores
- I: Blind Peter
- +16 more
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Richard Marwood unlock in the free preview.
See Richard Marwood in IV: Richard Marwood Lights His Pipe