He is a 39-year-old father and country club tennis instructor living in the gated community of Hidden Oaks. Harboring lingering feelings of inadequacy from his emotionally distant parents, he finds purpose in pleasing his decisive wife. To maintain the spark in his marriage and regain a feeling of control, he actively participates in a shared secret life of stalking and kidnapping.

Millicent is a successful real estate agent and a highly structured, rule-oriented mother. She met her husband on a flight from Cambodia and quickly became the driving force in his life. Beneath her polished suburban exterior, she harbors violent impulses that she shares with her husband as a twisted bonding activity.

Jenna is the 13-year-old daughter of the narrator and Millicent. She participates in sports like soccer and Krav Maga to meet her parents' expectations. As news of local murders spreads, she develops severe anxieties about her own safety and physical appearance.

Rory is the 14-year-old son of the narrator and Millicent. Observant and opportunistic, he discovers his father's infidelities and uses the information to his advantage. He tests boundaries by sneaking out at night and making deals with his father.

Andy is a wealthy resident of the Hidden Oaks gated community and a long-time friend of the narrator, whom he traveled with to Cambodia in his twenties. He is married to Trista and enjoys a comfortable, affluent lifestyle.

Trista is Andy's wife and a tennis student of the narrator. She struggles with substance use and harbors secret romantic feelings from her past. The resurgence of news about a local serial killer deeply affects her emotional stability.

Holly is Millicent's sister. According to Millicent, Holly spent years in a psychiatric facility due to violent behavior toward her family before eventually tracking down Millicent's household.

Petra is a woman the narrator initially scopes out as a potential murder target. Instead of maintaining his plan, he sleeps with her and decides to eliminate her as an option for his and Millicent's crimes.

Naomi is a 27-year-old single woman who works at a hotel. The narrator and Millicent select her as their next primary target because she fits the physical profile of a past serial killer's victims.

Lindsay is a woman the narrator and Millicent targeted a year prior. The sudden discovery of her body disrupts the couple's routine and forces them to adjust their future plans.

Owen is a notorious serial killer who terrorized the community decades ago before vanishing on a legal technicality. Millicent and the narrator study his methods to use his infamous profile as a cover for their own crimes.

Josh is a local newscaster who covers the string of murders in the area. The narrator anonymously sends him letters to manipulate the media narrative and create public panic.

Annabelle is a dedicated worker whom the narrator stalks as a backup target. She shares a tragic personal history that makes the narrator reconsider targeting her.

Kekona is a wealthy, retired woman in the neighborhood who takes tennis lessons from the narrator. She enjoys discussing local scandals and news.

Denise is a worker at a deli that Millicent inexplicably frequents. This draws the narrator's suspicion since his family typically only eats organic food.

Claire is a highly capable detective brought in to investigate the recent string of local murders. Her competence and proactive approach make the narrator nervous about his and Millicent's activities.

Robin is a grocery store employee who previously worked alongside Millicent's sister, Holly. She attempts to extort the narrator after putting together clues about Holly's sudden disappearance.

Faith is a local teenage girl who lives within walking distance of the narrator's family. She becomes Rory's secret girlfriend, prompting him to sneak out of the house at night.

Crystal is a young woman who temporarily works for the narrator's family during a busy period. She shares a brief, secret moment of intimacy with the narrator that he hides from his wife.

Beth is an acquaintance of the narrator who works at the country club. She suddenly vanishes, with letters claiming she moved away for family reasons.

Jennifer is the sister of the notorious serial killer Owen Oliver Riley. She resurfaces publicly to definitively prove that her brother passed away years ago and cannot be responsible for the recent local crimes.