Daisy is a 15-year-old girl who arrives in Possum Flats to live with a grandmother she barely knows. Having moved constantly throughout her childhood due to her mother's restless nature, she desperately seeks stability and a sense of purpose. She trades a piece of local gossip to secure an internship at the local newspaper, where she begins writing obituaries and researching local history.

Rose is Daisy's grandmother and the local undertaker in Possum Flats. Inheriting the business from her late husband's family, she lives a quiet, solitary life. She reluctantly takes Daisy in for the summer. Rose is a reserved woman who maintains a strict demeanor, though she carries deep emotional burdens regarding her twin sister's death in 1928.

Violet is Rose's identical twin sister, remembered primarily through the memories of the townspeople. She attended the 1928 dance hall event where she lost her life in a massive explosion. The only physical difference between the twins was a violet birthmark on her neck. Violet is remembered for her rebellious lifestyle, which heavily contrasted with her sister's quiet nature.

Dash is the long-serving preacher of Possum Flats. In his youth, he was a local playboy who attended the fateful 1928 dance with Violet Flowers. Surviving the disaster changed his trajectory entirely, prompting him to abandon his wild ways and embrace a strict religious life. He now delivers highly moralistic sermons and frequently expresses harsh judgments regarding the perceived sins of others.

Jimmy is the police chief of Possum Flats. The town widely considers him a hero for pulling numerous attendees to safety during the 1928 dance hall explosion. Despite the public accolades, he reacts aggressively whenever anyone mentions his heroism. He dedicates his life entirely to protecting the community, driven by the heavy emotional weight of that night.

Joe is a 15-year-old local resident and the adopted son of Dash's daughter. Known in town primarily as a star football player, he secretly harbors aspirations to study art. He frequently assists his grandfather but feels stifled by the strict expectations placed upon him by the community.

Lettie is Daisy's mother and Rose's daughter. She left Possum Flats as a teenager due to a strong desire for independence and has lived a highly nomadic lifestyle ever since. She drops her daughter off with Rose to start a new life in California with her current boyfriend, repeatedly failing to answer Daisy's letters.

Fence is the publisher and editor of the local newspaper in Possum Flats. He began his career taking photographs and now oversees the town's historical records. He cautiously agrees to hire Daisy as a summer intern, eventually allowing her to write a retrospective column about the town's history.

Smiley is the resident photographer for the local newspaper. He discovered his passion for photography on the night of the 1928 explosion when he assisted a visiting reporter. He now takes pictures of everything from local tragedies to unusually shaped produce for the community.

Hazel is the local postmistress and a survivor of the 1928 dance hall explosion. She carries guilt from that night because she survived while her date perished. She becomes the first interview subject for Daisy's retrospective newspaper series.

Roger is Rose's trusted assistant at the funeral home. He handles the physical labor of transporting bodies and assists with the mortuary preparations. He provides a steady, reliable presence in Rose's otherwise isolated life.

Myra is the society page editor at the local newspaper. She is tasked with teaching Daisy how to write obituaries and frequently advises the young intern on how to navigate the social sensitivities of Possum Flats.

Patty is a teenager who works as the receptionist at the local newspaper. Due to her strict religious upbringing, she is not allowed to celebrate birthdays or wear makeup, though she appreciates small gestures of friendship from her coworkers.

Mo is an elderly man who played the saxophone at the dance hall on the night of the explosion. He lost his sight during the disaster and now suffers from declining memory, rarely speaking or playing his instrument anymore.

Bartholomew, known locally as "The Mayor," is the recently deceased former mayor of Possum Flats. His death occurs under scandalous circumstances, providing Daisy with the piece of gossip she needs to secure her internship.

George is Rose's deceased husband. He belonged to the family that originally owned the funeral home where Rose now works. He eventually took over the family business while navigating a complicated domestic life.