Gideon Bliss

Gideon Bliss is one of the protagonists of the story. When the novel begins, Gideon is a student at the University of Cambridge. He is summoned to London at his uncle’s behest. Gideon becomes closely involved with the Strythe-Spiriters investigation when he pretends to be a sergeant working under Inspector Cutter.

Gideon is an orphan. His only remaining family member is his uncle Reverend Neuilly, with whom he is not close. It is revealed at the end of the novel that Neuilly only behaved coldly towards him to protect him from the Spiriters with whom Neuilly was closely involved. The summer Gideon spent at Neuilly’s home was a formative one, as it was the summer Gideon met Angie.

Gideon loves Angie, though he struggles to tell her so. He relishes the role of her tutor and protector, and constantly looks out for her during their...