Content Warning: The source material contains references to anti-gay bias, sexual abuse, xenophobia, and violent murders.

Susan Ryeland is the protagonist of Moonflower Murders. As a former editor turned amateur detective, she embodies both the analytical precision of an editor and the intuitive instincts of a sleuth.

In the earlier book in the series, Magpie Murders, Susan was the editor of a London publishing house, Cloverleaf Books. Her career came to an end when her boss burned the publishing office down after murdering the author, Alan Conway. At the beginning of Moonflower Murders, Susan is at a crossroads in her life. She has left her life in London behind to run a hotel in Greece with her fiancé, Andreas. This move signifies her desire to leave behind the chaos of her life in London; however, Susan feels restless and unfulfilled. When the Trehernes hire her to return to England to solve the mystery of Cecily Treherne’s disappearance, Susan jumps at the opportunity, which emphasizes her need for intellectual stimulation. She finds her life in Greece is too monotonous for her to be genuinely happy.

Susan’s analytical mind is her most striking trait. Her background as a literary editor has given her a keen eye for detail and an appreciation for the intricacies of storytelling.