Christopher Banks

Christopher, known as Puffin by his parents and Uncle Phillip, is the protagonist and narrator. He is really the only main character. The book starts in the early days of his career as a detective. Then it goes back to his childhood in Shanghai, where he lived until his parents' disappearance, whereupon he was sent to live with his aunt in England. His childhood best friend in Shanghai is Akira. As an adult, he is assailed by nostalgia for Akira and the time he spent with him. Once his success is well-established in London, he is compelled to return to Shanghai to solve the mystery of his parents' disappearances. His dream is that he will find Akira, who will help him find his parents. He finds that his memory is unreliable, however and this fact frustrates him.

He seems to have but one romance in his life...