Ava is a fourteen-year-old girl with an intense interest in anatomy, decomposition, and true crime. She maintains a secret space where she studies dead animals, observing their decay before giving them a proper burial and reciting the Rabbit's Prayer. Her vast knowledge of historical crimes and forensics makes her unusually mature for her age, though it also isolates her from her peers. When she discovers the corpse of a missing classmate, she begins conducting her own parallel investigation into the mystery while anonymously feeding tips to the police.

Delahaye is a dedicated investigator who recently transferred to Birmingham from London to escape office politics. Covered in tattoos that shock his colleagues, he brings an open mind and relentless work ethic to his cases. He treats both adults and children with equal respect, which leads him to value Ava's unconventional knowledge when traditional police methods stall. His focus on the job frequently causes him to neglect his personal life and physical health.

Nathaniel is a sixteen-year-old school prefect who runs a local delivery business with his classmate. He rides an oversized, motorized bike equipped with a trailer around Rubery, giving him detailed knowledge of the village layout. He has heterochromia, causing his eyes to be different colors, and bears a large facial scar from a childhood accident at a scrapyard. Handsome and outwardly charming, he pays special attention to Ava and protects her from harassment at school.

John is a fifteen-year-old boy and Ava's childhood best friend. He accepts her morbid interests without judgment and assists her in setting up a private space to track local crimes. He worries constantly about Ava placing herself in danger but remains loyal, acting as a cautious counterweight to her intense curiosity. He harbors romantic feelings for Ava and feels jealous of the older boys who pay attention to her.

Neville is an eighty-one-year-old patient living at Joseph Sheldon Hospital who suffers from Alzheimer's syndrome. He previously worked as a police sergeant and owned Banlock Farm, where he bred a specialized line of German Shepherds. He guards details about his past closely and frequently deflects questions from investigators regarding his abandoned farm property. His quiet demeanor masks a sharp memory regarding his beloved dogs.

Bob is a convicted sex offender in his early sixties who lives on the outskirts of Rubery. His criminal history makes him the primary suspect for the local police and a frequent target for neighborhood vigilantes. He possesses a facial disfigurement from his time in prison and intentionally avoids interaction with the community, sometimes sleeping outdoors to escape harassment.

Colleen is Ava and Veronica's mother. Following her divorce, she frequently directs her volatile temper toward her daughters, resorting to verbal and physical abuse. She cares deeply about outward appearances and attempts to project a refined image to strangers to conceal her working-class living conditions. Her narcissistic behavior forces Ava to assume an adult role in the household.

Veronica is Ava's younger sister. She relies heavily on Ava for emotional support and protection from their mother's unpredictable outbursts. The two girls maintain a united front to navigate their difficult home life, even when dealing with their mother's inappropriate boyfriends.

Trevor is Colleen's secret boyfriend who works as a mechanic. He keeps odd hours and frequently leaves the apartment late at night, arousing suspicion regarding his activities. He makes inappropriate comments toward Colleen's daughters, causing them to deeply distrust him and fear for their safety.

Maureen works as a keyworker at Joseph Sheldon Hospital, assigned to care for Neville Coleman. She monitors his changing moods and bends hospital rules to allow Ava to visit with her dog, believing the interaction improves Neville's mental state. She acts as a protective buffer when conversations upset her patient.

Mickey is a fourteen-year-old schoolboy with a reputation as a local bully. His aggressive behavior toward neighbors and other children leaves many community members quietly conflicted about his sudden disappearance. Despite his hostile nature toward humans, he maintained a secret den and cared deeply for animals.

Angela is a pathologist who examines the victims connected to the Rubery mystery. Her composure while conducting gruesome medical examinations intimidates her colleagues. She quickly develops a professional rapport and natural chemistry with Detective Delahaye, assisting him with off-duty historical research.

Steve is Delahaye's partner in the Rubery investigation. He conducts suspect interviews, chases down leads, and regularly urges Delahaye to maintain a healthy work-life balance. He possesses a practical approach to policework and often acts as a sounding board for Delahaye's theories.

Perrin serves as the superior officer overseeing the local police department. He directs the broad strategy of the investigation while allowing his detectives to follow ground-level leads. He offers guidance to younger officers and manages public relations during community crises.

Olivia is an investigator on Delahaye's team. She possesses strong research skills and tracks down obscure property records that point the police toward hidden locations within the village.

Daryl is a young, relatively inexperienced police officer. He becomes emotionally invested in the families of the victims, requiring support from older colleagues when confronting traumatic crime scenes.

Bryan is a six-year-old boy beloved by the Rubery community. He frequently plays neighborhood games with older children and enjoys listening to Ava read books using different voices. His disappearance deeply impacts the village and triggers a massive search effort.

Gary is a nine-year-old boy who participates in local games of hide-and-seek. He trusts familiar faces in the community, accepting sweets from individuals he encounters around the village.

Keith is a twelve-year-old runaway living in the foster care system. His experience living on the streets makes him resourceful and highly observant of unusual activity in the village. He documents his surroundings carefully in a notebook.

Adam is a young friend of John who uses street art to process his fears about the community's dangers. He marks locations around the village with spray paint, drawing the attention of both the police and local criminals.

Pete operates a local ice cream van in Rubery. He maintains a gruff exterior and openly admits to disliking the children he serves, leading to physical altercations with known bullies. He cooperates with the police to clear his name early in the investigation.

Brett is an aggressive student at Ava's school who frequently targets her and her friends. He attempts to physically ambush Ava but finds himself overpowered when older students intervene.

Karl is a school prefect who operates a delivery business with Nathaniel Marlowe. He fulfills local orders around the village, unknowingly moving items that connect to broader community events.

Paul is a teenager who plays in a local punk band called War Dance. He frequently hangs out under the Flyover bridge and points the police toward important physical evidence near the Quarry.

Nicholas operates the local scrapyard in Rubery and breeds German Shepherds with unusual eyes. He manages a rough property filled with metal scrap and aggressive guard dogs, creating an intimidating environment for visitors.