WINSTON “FITZ” FITZRANDOLPH
A recognized authority on Victorian era history, Fitz has developed unorthodox ideas which have grown into an obsession. These views ultimately result in his alienation from the academic community and in the disintegration of his personal life. An unexpected assignment sets him on a path that will ultimately vindicate his work or make him realize his folly.

TRASCLAIR “TRACE” BABINEAUX
A New Orleans cab driver and part-time courier for the local mobsters. He claims that he has actually had an encounter with The Victorian and can be found most nights combing the French Quarter seeking locals with a similar experience. In a special code only he can understand, Trace records his findings in a private journal. With his thick Cajun accent, he is often able to charm people into sharing their thoughts with him - though most find his speech amusingly unintelligible.

LEVITICUS “DOC” SHUMPERT
A New Orleans Police detective who is an expert on the occult. A Ph.D., he has spent his entire life writing the definitive study of H.P. Lovecraft. Leviticus wears an eyepatch that he doesn’t need. He switches sides frequently, depending on his mood. He believes that by blocking one eye, he can see the world with a slightly different perspective – and it will remind him to question his perceptions and look at something in a new way.

BRANDT SKYLAR “B.S.” HARRIMAN
Ray’s partner in homicide. The NOPD has its share of eccentric characters, and B.S. is no exception. He combines a near genius I.Q. with a mercilessly sardonic sense of humor. He enjoys playing a game of wits with those around him, but he never shares his innermost thoughts with anyone. He likes to surprise people, so the NOPD can always count on Harriman to show up in the most unusual Mardi Gras costume.

ANDREW JAMES
An Englishman who is an associate of Malcolm Lassiter in the antique business. He travels extensively on buying trips and operates as Lassiter’s representative in most transactions and negotiations. James has a rather mysterious past and drops out of sight for periods of time. Elements of international intrigue point to the possibility of James being someone other than the person he appears to be.

CLAUDE BALLARÉ
A gentleman spoken of in hushed tones by those in the New Orleans circle of power and influence. Ballaré is known as someone capable of orchestrating events that will benefit his own fortune. His murky past is no different from dozens of others who have found their way into Louisiana’s legion of movers and shakers, but the mystery surrounding his origins has taken on mythic proportions. Only the Victorian knows Ballaré’s true identity and the means he has at hand to carry out his unthinkable plan.

EUDORA KINCAID
A 17 year old Jamaican immigrant who was orphaned at the age of 8. She lives in New Orleans with her grandmother and other members of her extended family. Eudora attends a Catholic girl’s school, but spends most of her time escaping into the colorful world of the French Quarter and documenting what she sees with her treasured camera. Considering her petite size, people are surprised by her fiery and brazen personality.

MALCOLM LASSITER
The owner of Mr. A’s Antiques, operating out of the French Quarter. An urbane gentleman who appears well connected to the New Orleans world of power politics and the criminal underground. He is the person who hires Fitz and sends him on a mission to discover the origins of an old bill from the turn of the century - a ten dollar bill that was referred to as the “Jackass note”. The most intriguing thing about the bill is not its age, but the fact that it is a near perfect counterfeit.

HAL KELLER
The detective who is Doc’s partner. Everyone knows he served in the Special Forces in Vietnam, though he never mentions it – except indirectly when comparing New Orleans to Saigon before the fall, which he does a lot. Known as a genuine cheapskate, Hal will smoke every last crooked cigarette from a damaged carton of Camels.

REYNA “RAY” STARKWEATHER
A homicide detective for the NOPD. “Sam Spade” in female form. Ray sees her life as a film noir movie, with her playing the lead usually reserved for a man. She is all woman and a tough cop. Ray takes her job seriously, which frequently requires her to run interference for her annoying partner, B.S. Harriman.

EDGAR TIPPET a.k.a. “The Mashed Potato Kid”
A computer science prodigy. He wrote his first computer program at the age of six. He is a consultant to the Mafia, assisting their efforts in cloning software and computers for the black market. He has a nose for shifting power bases and is not too proud to hire out to the highest bidder. Claude Ballaré sees Tippet as an important addition to his elite team.

MISS WHITE
Balleré’s beautiful and fearless enforcer. She exhibits unquestioning loyalty to Ballaré and his mission. Her athletic prowess and powerful mind are well known and respected within Ballaré’s organization. She can be irresistibly charming when she needs to be, but don’t underestimate the dangerous adversary lurking behind smiling eyes. Miss White is aware of the Victorian’s pursuit of Ballaré and she eagerly anticipates meeting him face to face.