Ernest is a writer in his early forties and an amateur detective who recently found success publishing a true-crime narrative about his own family. He attends the Australian Mystery Writers' Festival aboard the Ghan luxury train while dealing with severe imposter syndrome regarding his upcoming second book. Often self-centered in his observations, he treats his daily life as an unfolding mystery novel and constantly references golden-age detective fiction rules.

Juliette is a published author and the former owner of Sky Lodge Mountain Resort. She accompanies Ernest on the Ghan as his guest, providing consistent emotional support as he struggles with writer's block. Grounded and observant, she grows increasingly frustrated by Ernest's tendency to view her as a passive character rather than an active participant in their shared life.

Henry is a blockbuster mystery author celebrated for his long-running Detective Morbund series. He serves as the festival's guest of honor but treats his fans and fellow authors with abrasive condescension. A heavy drinker with a demanding personality, he delights in leaving harsh, single-word reviews on his peers' novels.

Wyatt is the head of Gemini Publishing and the publisher for many of the authors attending the festival. He operates as a polished, business-minded professional who attempts to manage the unruly personalities aboard the train. Beneath his polite exterior, he is fiercely protective of his company's financial interests and star clients.

Harriet is a passenger on the Ghan traveling with her husband, Jasper. She views the literary festival and its attendees with clear disinterest. Outwardly quiet, she possesses an intense devotion to her husband and harbors strong opinions about the publishing industry's definition of success.

Jasper is a genial festival attendee who strikes up a conversation with Ernest about the nature of writing. He possesses deep insight into literary culture and views storytelling as a tool for audience enjoyment rather than personal fame. He offers practical, grounding advice to the more ego-driven writers on the train.

Lisa is an author of legal thrillers who is publishing her second novel after a twenty-one-year hiatus. She maintains a reserved distance from the literary gossip on the train. She acts with careful deliberation and is fiercely protective of her travel companion despite the petty rivalries of her peers.

Alan writes forensic crime stories and eagerly seeks validation from more successful authors. He constantly observes the other passengers, treating them as material for his upcoming books. Desperate for a promotional blurb from Henry McTavish, he frequently attempts to insert himself into conversations with higher-status writers.

Simone is Ernest's tough, pragmatic literary agent who attends the festival as a guest of Gemini Publishing. She pressures Ernest for progress on his next manuscript while simultaneously attempting to woo more lucrative clients. She operates within the male-dominated publishing industry with a sharp, uncompromising attitude.

S. F. Majors is the author of psychological thrillers and serves as a key organizer for the writers' festival. She approaches her duties with a strict, unsmiling professionalism and actively manages the flow of the author panels. She harbors lingering resentment over a past professional dispute with Henry McTavish.

Wolfgang is a celebrated literary author with a densely packed list of awards. He views the commercial mystery writers at the festival with open disdain, considering their work cheap and sensationalist. He uses the train journey to unveil an interactive art project designed to critique popular fiction.

Brooke is a young woman traveling on the Ghan who heads the "Morbund's Mongrels" fan club. She eagerly attends the author panels and is deeply invested in the lore of Henry McTavish's mystery series. Her dedication to the series leads her to seek out interactions with her literary idol.

Douglas is an older man traveling alone on the Ghan who shows a strong interest in Ernest's past experiences. He asks intense, probing questions about the nature of revenge and justice. He harbors a deep personal connection to the remote areas the train travels through.

Veronica is a prominent book critic attending the festival with a group of friends. Despite her high-brow professional reputation, she unabashedly enjoys highly commercial thrillers during her vacation. She serves as an example of the divide between critical acclaim and popular consumption.

Uncle Andy is Ernest's relative who recently quit his job in horticulture to become a private investigator. He repeatedly calls Ernest during the train journey to ask for help solving a burglary involving a Tasmanian botanist, displaying a complete lack of investigative skill.