Susan Ryeland is a former book editor turned amateur detective, portrayed by Lesley Manville in Moonflower Murders. Originally working in publishing, Susan becomes entangled in solving real-life mysteries when she discovers that one of her author’s novels holds clues to an unsolved murder. After leaving her career behind, she moves to Crete with her fiancé, but her quiet life is disrupted by a new mystery involving a missing woman and a cold case. Her sharp intellect and determination drive her to uncover hidden truths in both fiction and reality.

Trivia/Facts

• Susan Ryeland is a former publisher who becomes an amateur detective. She is portrayed by Lesley Manville in PBS’s Moonflower Murders. The series is based on Anthony Horowitz’s 2020 mystery novel of the same name. Susan is tasked with solving a cold case linked to one of Alan Conway’s earlier novels.
• Susan has left her publishing career and is now running a struggling hotel in Crete with her fiancé, Andreas. However, her peaceful life takes a turn when she is approached by Lawrence and Pauline Treherne. They own Branlow Hall, a hotel in England, where a murder took place eight years earlier. They seek Susan’s help to solve the case that inspired Alan Conway’s novel, Atticus Pünd Takes the Case.

Lesley Manville in Moonflower Murders (2024)

• The Trehernes’ daughter, Cecily, had read the novel and believed it contained clues proving the wrong person was jailed for the murder. Shortly after informing her parents, Cecily disappeared mysteriously. Susan, intrigued by the case, agrees to return to England. She is offered ten thousand pounds to stay at Branlow Hall and investigate Cecily’s disappearance and the truth behind the murder of Frank Parris.
• Susan meticulously studies Conway’s novel to find hidden clues related to the real-life crime. She uncovers that the true murderer was Cecily’s husband, Aiden. Aiden had a dark past as a male prostitute and married Cecily for security, not love. When Frank Parris threatened to expose his past, Aiden killed him, and later, when Cecily found out, he killed her as well.
• After Susan reveals the truth during a tense meeting with the family and police, Aiden confesses everything. However, before he can be arrested, Aiden escapes. He tragically ends his life by jumping in front of a train. The novel also includes the complete text of Atticus Pünd Takes the Case, allowing readers to see how the fictional clues connect to the real mystery.

Susan Ryeland’s Relationship with Other Characters

• Andreas Patakis: Andreas is Susan Ryeland’s fiancé. They run a small, struggling hotel together in Crete. Their relationship faces some strain due to the challenges of running the hotel and Susan’s involvement in solving mysteries. Despite their differences, Andreas supports Susan but sometimes wishes she would stay away from detective work.
• Lawrence and Pauline Treherne: Lawrence and Pauline are the owners of Branlow Hall, the hotel where a murder took place eight years ago. They ask Susan for help in solving the mystery after their daughter Cecily disappears. Susan’s relationship with them is professional, but she is determined to find the truth for them.

Lesley Manville in Moonflower Murders (2024)

• Cecily Treherne: Cecily is the daughter of Lawrence and Pauline. She disappears after reading one of Alan Conway’s novels, believing it contains clues that prove an innocent man was jailed for murder. Susan is motivated to find Cecily and understand the connection between the book and the real-life crime.
• Alan Conway: Alan Conway was a mystery author whose book Atticus Pünd Takes the Case plays a central role in the series. Though Alan has passed away, his work continues to affect Susan’s life. Their relationship was complex when he was alive, as Susan had to deal with his difficult personality while editing his books, but now she uses his novel as a key to solving the mysteries.