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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.
In the storyGood for NothingOpen this moment free

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 connections

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

MJMr. JinksJPJoseph PetersADAugustus DarleyDDDaredevil DickIDIsabel DarleyRMRichard Marwood

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

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Narrative arc

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

SetupAftermathClimax
  • 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.

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Relationships

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 Pipe

In the story

Richard Marwood appears across 24 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

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