There are a lot of characters in Tales from the Triverse, the book I’m currently serialising. As such, I thought it’d be useful to have a reference guide to some of the key players at this early juncture. This cast list focuses on the Portal Crimes Squad (aka Specialist Dimensional Command, remember) and certainly isn’t everyone that’s going to show up in the book, but it’ll help everyone keep track of the police side of things.
If you need to catch up on the book, you can jump in with chapter 1 here:
The Specialist Dimensional Command is a unique department of the Metropolitan Police established to handle portal-related crimes. It is a small, streamlined unit which is capable of operating round-the-clock via three shifts, though often is only active for two.
The Detectives:
John Callihan - Recently qualified, John is ambitious, well-liked and dedicated to the people her serves, his colleagues and doing the right thing. Killed in the line of duty.
Yannick Clarke - The old timer, six months out from retirement who is no longer sure why he does this job. Waiting to be assigned a new partner.
Nisha Chakraborty - Nisha has something to prove and isn’t going to let anyone get in her way. Will fight anyone to prove that she deserves to be in the room. Works hard. Parties harder.
Zoltan Kaminski - The cynic of the squad. Assumes the world is terrible so is never surprised or disappointed by it. Enjoys seeing the worst in people.
Frank Holland - Has a reputation for being one of the best detectives in the entire force. Also has a reputation for being an unpleasant son of a bitch. He’s fine with both assessments.
Marion Hobb - Career police who keeps her head down and is always looking for the next step up. Shares the opinion with much of the rest of the force that the SDC is a joke.
The support:
DS Andrew Collins - Joker of the squad who looks after his team and understands the difficulties of the job.
DS Caitlin Shaw - Spends most of her time trying to convince herself and 1970s Britain that she deserves her success.
Robin Cole - Civilian member of staff. Super friendly office manager and receptionist who keeps the squad running smoothly.
Dr Steven Wong - Coroner and forensic expert assigned to the SDC. Finds death far more interesting than life.
The bigwigs:
DCI James Miller - The slick, media-savvy face of the department.
DI Christopher Bakker - A serious man who expects things to be done properly and by the book.
DI Robert Ford - Believes in the job. Hails from up north and is not a fan of London.
DI Lois Morgan - Hard-as-nails, takes-no-prisoners and expects maximum effort from her detectives.
The bigger wigs:
DCS Stephen Walpole - Tough, uncompromising and not afraid of pushing close to the line.
Commissioner Matthew Graves - A practical realist, trying to navigate the complexities of the 1970s Triverse. The SDC is his baby.
A fresh chapter will be posted on Friday, which kicks off the next case and introduces a couple of new faces mentioned above.
'Bigger-wigs.'
Heh.