When Will There Be Good News? Characters

Mr. Hussain is the owner of the corner store in Reggie’s downscale Edinburgh neighborhood. Reggie works an early morning shift for him occasionally, and he is kind to Reggie. He is originally from Bangladesh. Reggie spent “a surprisingly Victorian Christmas” with the Hussain family after her mother died.

Nathan is Julia’s toddler son. Jackson believes that he is Nathan’s father, but Julia denies it, claiming that Mr. Arty-Farty is the father. Jackson meets Nathan in Yorkshire at the beginning of the novel and takes home a lock of his hair, presumably for a paternity test.

Jackson Brodie’s disdainful nickname for Julia’s husband. He is otherwise unnamed. Julia claims he is Nathan’s father, but Jackson thinks of him as “The False Dad.”

Josie was Jackson Brodie’s first wife, mother of Marlee.

Marlee, age 12, is the daughter of Jackson Brodie and Josie. Jackson carries a postcard from her in his pocket.

Tim is Patrick’s brother-in-law. He and his wife, Bridget, visit Patrick and Louise.

Bridget is Patrick’s sister. She and her husband, Tim, visit Patrick and Louise.

Gary was Jackie Chase’s boyfriend at the time of her death. Reggie thinks he is okay (a vast improvement over The-Man-Who-Came-Before-Gary), just lazy and cheap. He takes Jackie on a two-week vacation to Spain and moves on quickly after she dies.

Jackie Chase’s boyfriend before Gary. He was married and often leered at Reggie.

Ms. MacDonald’s elderly terrier. Reggie takes care of him in exchange for tutoring. Banjo dies the morning after Ms. MacDonald’s death.

Sadie is Joanna Hunter’s beloved dog, a German Shepherd. She faithfully guards Joanna and the baby, and later becomes Reggie’s companion after Joanna’s disappearance. She even bites Billy in Reggie’s defense.

Scout was Jessica Mason’s beloved dog, killed by Andrew Decker when he came to the family’s defense. Joanna can’t remember his name until the very end of the novel.

Niamh was Jackson Brodie’s older sister. She was murdered at 18. When Jackson is dying, he sees a vision of Niamh, inviting him to follow her into the light.

Archie is Louise’s 16-year-old son. He’d fallen in with a bad crowd when he was younger, then began attending a prep school and thrived among his new, geeky friends.

Samantha was Patrick’s first wife, killed in a car crash 10 years ago. Louise constantly fears she doesn’t measure up to her.

Glasgow drug dealer with whom Neil Hunter is alleged to have a connection. Peter and John work for him.

Karen is one of Louise’s coworkers at the police station. She is pregnant, and her constant snacking annoys and nauseates Louise because, as it later turns out, Louise is pregnant as well.

Alison Needler’s husband, David Needler, attempted to kill her and their children some time ago, and Alison now lives in a safe house, certain that David will return any day. Louise is obsessed with the Needler case and often watches the house and visits with the family.

Sheila is Joanna Hunter’s friend, a midwife who is employed at the same surgery where Joanna works as a general practitioner.

Bernie is Jackson’s old commanding officer and boss. He and Tessa join forces to con Jackson out of all his money.

These are thugs who, looking for Billy, trash Reggie’s flat and later pour petrol through the letterbox, burning it down. They also threaten Reggie’s life if she reports them to the police.

A thug who works for Michael Anderson and threatens Neil Hunter by taking Joanna Hunter and the baby hostage. Joanna kills him and escapes.

A thug who works for Michael Anderson and threatens Neil Hunter by taking Joanna Hunter and the baby hostage. Joanna kills him and escapes.

Marcus McLellen’s girlfriend.