Jim is a highly successful defense attorney who lives a wealthy lifestyle in Manhattan. He gained national fame after securing an acquittal for a celebrity client, a victory that cemented his immense self-confidence. Within his family, he assumes a dominant, problem-solving position, though he frequently treats his younger siblings with arrogance and impatience.

Bob is a New York-based lawyer who lives in the shadow of his older brother's massive success. He struggles with severe anxiety, relying on sleeping pills and alcohol to manage his days. His entire adult identity is shaped by the heavy burden of believing he accidentally killed his father as a four-year-old child.

Helen is Jim’s devoted wife, accustomed to the luxury and status that accompany his high-profile legal career. With her children grown and away at college, she feels adrift in her quiet Manhattan home. She desperately craves Jim's undivided attention and harbors growing resentment toward his siblings for constantly disrupting their lives with crises.

Susan is Bob's twin sister and an optometrist living in Shirley Falls, Maine. She is the only sibling who remained in their hometown, leading an isolated life filled with frozen meals and persistent anxiety. She struggles to connect with her teenage son and immediately defers to Jim when the family faces any serious difficulty.

Zachary is Susan’s nineteen-year-old son, described by locals as a quiet, lonely young man with no real friends. He works at a local retail store and largely keeps to himself. His sudden, provocative act of throwing a pig's head into a mosque shocks his family and ignites a massive controversy in his small town.

Abdikarim is a Somali refugee attempting to build a new life in Maine after escaping a devastating civil war. He was present in the mosque when the pig's head was thrown inside. He is a thoughtful, observant man who quietly evaluates the mixed reception his community receives from the long-term residents of Shirley Falls.

Pam is Bob’s ex-wife, a former parasitologist who now works part-time and raises twin boys with her new husband. She divorced Bob after discovering his infertility but continues to share a warm, friendly dynamic with him. Her memories of visiting Maine years ago offer an outside perspective on the rigid Burgess family traditions.

Mrs. Drinkwater is an elderly woman who rents the top floor of Susan’s house. She provides a quiet, steady presence in the home, occasionally noting Zachary's sadness and isolation when Susan is overwhelmed.

Margaret is the minister of the Unitarian church in Shirley Falls. She actively attempts to bridge the divides in her town, reaching out to the Burgess family during their crisis while also concerning herself with the safety and comfort of the Somali community.

Charlie is the defense lawyer based in Maine who takes on Zachary's case. He coordinates directly with Jim on legal strategy and attempts to assure Susan that the intense public scrutiny will eventually blow over.

Alan is a fellow lawyer and colleague of Jim Burgess. He represents the elite Manhattan professional sphere that Jim inhabits, spending time golfing with Jim while on vacation.

Dorothy is married to Jim's law partner. During a shared vacation, she forces Helen to confront uncomfortable realities by sharing news articles about the Somali refugee crisis, proving to be a somewhat mismatched companion for Helen.

Adriana is a resident in Bob’s New York apartment building. Her loud domestic dispute early in the story triggers Bob's intense anxiety and highlights his hyper-vigilance regarding the safety of those around him.

Haweeya is Abdikarim Ahmed’s niece, with whom he lives in Shirley Falls. She is highly protective of her family and wary of the racial tensions in Maine, fearing for her uncle's safety after the incident at the mosque.

Barbara is the late mother of the Burgess siblings. Following the tragic accident that killed her husband, she created deep emotional rifts among her children by showering Bob with protective pity while treating Susan with unexplained harshness.

Steve is Susan’s ex-husband who resides in Sweden. He is largely absent from his son's daily life, communicating only occasionally through email, yet his distant presence exerts a powerful psychological pull on the teenager.

Gerry is the police chief of Shirley Falls. He handles the initial law enforcement response to the vandalism at the mosque, attempting to manage the escalating tensions between the long-term residents and the new refugee population.

Diane is the Assistant State Attorney General. She pursues the legal case against Zachary on behalf of the state, representing the formal justice system that Jim attempts to circumvent.

Wally is a famous singer and former client of Jim Burgess. Jim's successful defense of him in a high-profile trial serves as the foundation for the lawyer's immense wealth and formidable public reputation.