The wife of Grant Ledwell, Heather is pregnant during the events of The Ink Black Heart. She is described as being “at least ten years younger than her husband. Though not particularly good looking, she gave a general impression of lustrous fecundity, with her creamy skin and long, glossy brown hair” (chapter 18). Heather seems just as eager as her husband to inherit their niece Edie’s fortune.

Heather calls Grant by the nickname of “Grub.” They met when she was a personal assistant to someone at Grant’s office, and they began their relationship while Grant was still married. However, he claims his first marriage was “over in all but name” at the time (chapter 18). Heather and Grant now have two daughters in addition to the son on the way.

When Strike and Robin meet Heather (along with Grant, Yeoman and Elgar) at the Arts Club, Robin is disgusted by Heather’s open delight at “her fancy lunch and her persistent eyeing-up of Strike.” Robin regards Heather’s behavior as “both inappropriate and distasteful,” considering the fact they are at the club “because of the brutal death of Heather’s niece by marriage” (chapter 18).