Who is Adela Strangeworth?

Adela Strangeworth is the main character in "The Possibility of Evil." She is a 71-year-old lady who has lived in the town all of her life. Her grandfather built the house that she lives in and she is proud of the fact that it was the first house to be built on that street. She is also proud of her grandmother who planted the roses which surround her house. Her mother tended these roses and they are now her prized responsibility.

On the surface, Miss Strangeworth appears like any other elderly lady. She is well-known and well-liked by other residents of the town, as shown by their positive reactions when she walks down Main Street. What they do not realise, however, is that Miss Strangeworth is the author of the poisoned pen letters which have blighted the lives of many residents. Ironically, Miss Strangeworth believes that these letters are protecting the town from evil when, in fact, they represent the source of all the town's evil.