Sloan is one of the two protagonists of the novel and the female romantic lead. She is a young woman in her twenties, athletic and blonde, with green eyes and a face with “strong cheekbones, a slim nose, and a long, sharply defined mouth” (5). Sloan is initially described as “intense, driven, and buttoned-down” (3). Dr. Vincenti, who operates on her gunshot wound, observes Sloan’s obstinacy but also her intelligence, telling her, “while you’re stubborn enough to resist getting help, you’re smart enough to know when you need it” (21). Sloan is tough mentally and physically, and it is this mental grit that makes her push herself toward recovery. She hated being vulnerable during the mini-mart robbery and does not want to be caught off- guard again. She is also haunted, as her nightmares suggest, by the fear of being seen as weak. She is able to borrow strength from others, but she is determined to be independent.

Sloan is the analytical type. She admits, “I think through, calculate, weigh, self-debate pros and cons” (102). Elsie, her mother, finds this an admirable trait: “It’s a rare thing for you to take a jump without calculating the distance, time, wind velocity” (134). Sloan’s planning abilities are proven in her approach to renovations on the cottage she buys. She weighs the pros and cons when she gets the job offer from Travis and puts thought into her decision, not telling her family until she’s made her decision as she doesn’t want to be swayed. At the same time, Sloan is also accepts assistance from Nash, Dean, and Elsie as she makes over her house. She understands that they want to help and feel their tastes are in tune with hers, showing her sense of comfort level with Nash as she accepts him into her family circle.

Travis notes she’s a good judge of people and their character. This is proven in her perceptions about the motives driving the couple performing the abductions and murders. Sloan makes the connection that the victims all experienced clinical death and resuscitation, showing her ability to draw connections and find insight in the details. Sloan also uses her ability to notice detail and trust her instincts when confronting people in the course of her job.

Sloan begins as a corporal in the Natural Resources Police and is promoted to sergeant over the course of the novel. Characteristically, she studies hard and prepares for the exam and interview. She wants the promotion not only for the validation but also because Sloan simply loves her job, which suits her personality. She likes feeling useful, and she is committed to the NRP’s goals to educate, preserve, and protect both humans and wildlife. Sloan is driven by a strong sense of justice, which guides her in her investigation into the missing. She is an effective mentor for Elana, cultivating the younger officer’s skills and knowledge in appropriate and beneficial ways. Her Stetson hat, uniform, and tie are marks of Sloan’s discipline and training. Her gun is also an indication of Sloan’s power. She only uses it to defend herself from attack, such as when people like poachers get aggressive. Sloan uses appropriate tactics to subdue and restrain them. This reflects her even temper as well as her sense of justice.

Sloan is loyal to her family and happy to settle down near them, where she is again part of their day-to-day lives. She has a close and supportive relationship with her sister, much like Nash and Theo’s rapport, and she admires how her parents are a team. Falling for Nash is Sloan’s only impulsive move during the novel, and her romantic relationship with him is the one time she isn’t guided by pros and cons but instead gives in to feeling. Throughout her character arc, Sloan fulfills her earlier promise to herself to find more balance in her life, taking time to enjoy things and spending more time with people she cares about. She takes advantage of the second chance at life that she’s been granted.