Logan is a thirteen-year-old boy who moves into a neglected Victorian house with his parents. He wants to shed his old reputation as a bookworm and hopes to impress his new classmates by playing sports. His natural obedience and anxiety frequently clash with his curiosity after he learns his new home was the site of an unsolved crime.

Arthur is a twelve-year-old boy who wears taped-together glasses and clothes that swallow his small frame. He rides a beat-up bicycle without a helmet and lacks a social filter, happily sharing grisly details about local murders. He takes immense pride in his intellect and reads extensively, though his blunt overconfidence sometimes alienates other children.

Silas is a notorious local criminal who rides a loud motorcycle and surrounds his rural property with misspelled warning signs. He relies on brute force and intimidation to get his way. Many townspeople, including Mrs. Jenkins, suspect he played a role in his mother-in-law's death.

Danny is a twelve-year-old boy who acts as the primary bully in Bealesville. He actively mimics his father's aggression but constantly faces rejection from Silas. Despite his tough exterior, he harbors a deep attachment to Bear and quietly desires a stable family life.

Mr. DiSilvio is the wealthiest resident in Bealesville and the owner of the abandoned Magic Forest amusement park. He sponsors soccer teams and donates to local causes, projecting the image of a perfect civic leader. He plans to bulldoze the old amusement park to build a lucrative housing development.

Mr. Forbes is Logan's father and a local art teacher. He maintains a relaxed, slightly hippie demeanor, frequently wearing paint-spattered jeans and environmentalist T-shirts to formal events. He encourages Logan to form his own opinions and supports his friendship with Arthur.

Mrs. Forbes is Logan's mother, a woman highly concerned with outward appearances and social mobility. She views her new neighborhood as a temporary setback and desperately wants to align her family with the town's wealthy elite. She actively attempts to curate Logan's friendships and hobbies to make him more popular.

Mrs. Donaldson is the deceased former owner of the Forbes family's house. She worked at the local Magic Forest Amusement Park for decades before her death. The police questioned her extensively regarding missing park funds before someone broke into her home and killed her.

Bear is a large black dog, a mix of Labrador and Rottweiler. He survived the attack at Mrs. Donaldson's house and ran to the Jenkins residence bleeding. He now alternates his time between Arthur's yard and the Phelps property, providing silent comfort to the children in town.

Violet is Mrs. Donaldson's daughter and works retail to support her two children. She lives in a cramped mobile home on a rural compound. She possesses a fragile, nervous demeanor, stemming from years of intimidation by her ex-husband.

May is Violet's young daughter and Danny's little sister. She is a sweet, quiet child who navigates the chaotic environment of the Phelps compound. She does her best to cheer up her mother during stressful moments.

Nina operates as a reporter for the *Richmond Times*, arriving in Bealesville to write an investigative piece on Mrs. Donaldson's unsolved murder. She interviews various town residents and takes a strong interest in the boxes stored in the Forbes family's attic.

Johnny is a local young man covered in tattoos who pieces together a living through various odd jobs. He delivers food, mows lawns, and hauls away junk. He lives on the fringes of town and constantly looks for ways to make a quick profit.

Billy is Johnny's cousin, a rough local man with a history of minor arrests and property damage. He holds a deep disdain for Arthur, who frequently mocks his lack of education. He knows the back roads of Bealesville well and distrusts the town's wealthy elite.

Rhoda is a wealthy real estate agent who dictates the social standards of Bealesville's upper class. She hosts lavish parties and looks down on families from the poorer sections of town. She actively works to separate Logan from his new friends.

Anthony is Rhoda's son, a boy raised in luxury who lacks basic empathy for those outside his tax bracket. He wears expensive clothes and focuses heavily on sports. He operates as the ringleader of the wealthy children, setting the tone for who gets accepted in their circle.

Mrs. Jenkins is Arthur's grandmother, an older woman who decorates her home with miniature figures and paintings of clowns. She firmly believes that character is tied to bloodlines, loudly condemning families like the Phelpses and Jarmons. She acts as a fierce defender of the late Mrs. Donaldson.