Rhoda’s young, empathetic mother, an intelligent and independent homemaker troubled by questions about her unusually detached daughter.

The Penmarks’ apartment complex maintenance worker, a crude man whose teasing of Rhoda reflects his suspicion that she differs from other children.

The Penmarks’ older, pretentious landlady and Christine’s confidante, who considers herself an amateur psychotherapist and is especially fond of Rhoda.

A writer and friend of Monica who shares information with Christine about the notorious serial killer Bessie Denker.

Hortense and Dwight Daigle’s only child, a timid, sensitive classmate of Rhoda who wins the school’s penmanship medal.

Claude’s over-attentive and anxious mother, who feels that the Fern sisters and others look down on her background.

Christine’s husband and Rhoda’s father, who is away on business when the novel’s opening events begin.