BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARIES

WHO ARE THOSE AMAZING MEN AND WOMEN WHO POPULATE THE PAGES OF JAZZ AGE?

 

Professor Clifton M. Jennings Dashing and handsome, heroic and charming, Professor Clifton Jennings is a world-renowned professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Harvard University. His skill and expertise have made him a valuable member of the secret society founded by Professor Carlisle. At times, however, his interests have not always been in perfect alignment with the secret society's. How long can Jennings balance loyalty with personal ambition?

Veronica Stone (Ronnie) Witty and bubbly, high spirited and determined, Veronica Stone has finally met a man resistant to her charms in Professor Clifton Jennings. Her attempts to impress Jennings have resulted in trouble on more than one occasion. Ronnie will do almost anything to get her man. But will her single-mindedness lead her into more problems than even she can handle?

Ace Mifflin A nickel-and-dime private detective in Boston's notorious Scollay Square, Ace Mifflin wisecracks his way into, and often out of, real paying jobs, much to the chagrin of his beleaguered secretary Rita. After an inauspicious beginning, Mifflin has proved a valuable asset to the secret society on a number of occasions. Despite Mifflin's utter lack of professionalism and inherent disdain for authority, Professor Carlisle continues to involve him in cases and investigations. Does Carlisle detect some hidden inner strength in Mifflin, unbeknownst to all, especially Mifflin himself?

Rita Burns The underpaid and overworked secretary of Ace Mifflin, Rita Burns holds out hope that her lover and Ace's old partner Nick will someday return. Her stoic determination and near-resignation keep her coming back to the office, day in and day out. Or is there another reason? Rita is still trying to write the Great American Novel. Will the latest exploits of Ace Mifflin finally give her the material she needs?

Professor Nathaniel Carlisle (retired) Seeking none of the fame and glory accorded his colleague, Professor Jennings, Professor Nathaniel Carlisle is still clearly regarded as the head of the small group of Boston adventurers fighting to keep the world safe from supernatural incursions. His breadth and depth of knowledge of the world beyond our own remains unparalleled, with the possible exception of his daughter, Nora. Underneath his composed exterior, Professor Carlisle has had to deal with the consequences of seeing things no man was ever meant to see. Will Carlisle be able to suppress the effects of such encounters indefinitely?

Nora Carlisle The brilliant daughter of Professor Nathaniel Carlisle, Nora Carlisle is currently a student at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She remains true to her father and the secret society, to the point of jeopardizing the successful completion of her education. Nora Carlisle seems wise beyond her years and possesses a voracious appetite for knowledge. Will Nora always remain in her father's prodigious shadow, or will she soon come into her own as an intellectual force?

Jonathan Flynt Wealthy playboy and childhood friend of Clifton Jennings, Jonathan Flynt often accompanies Jennings on secret society investigations. His wealth, connections and unflagging friendship make him a valuable ally in the battle against the supernatural. Flynt has inherited a certain recklessness along with the family fortune. Is he always aware of the consequences of his actions, particularly in such dangerous circumstances?

Baroness Marlene von Treska Beautiful and wealthy, the Baroness Marlene von Treska has been a thorn in the side of the secret society, and of Jennings in particular, for quite some time. Whether her efforts have a deeper purpose or are primarily the actions of a bored aristocrat remains to be seen. The Baroness and Jennings share a connection that may not be completely adversarial. Does the baroness hold some secret sway over Professor Clifton Jennings?

Dr. Hans Fargus A shadowy underworld figure, Dr. Hans Fargus deals in the black market of valuable antiques. Due to their often mutual interest in such artifacts, Jennings and Fargus have crossed paths on several occasions. Fargus seems to know a good deal about the workings of the secret society. Is his knowledge based on years of experience, or something more sinister?

G. E. McMullin (Trudy)   G.E. McMullin works hard to maintain her position in the chauvinistic world of academia. Her radical theories in botany have earned her her share of both supporters and detractors. McMullin's interest in Jennings appears purely scholarly while Mifflin intrigues her introverted personality. Will McMullin fall for brawn, brains... or neither?