A 40-year-old woodturner who crafts custom furniture for high-end clients. Having grown up in Tennessee and New York under her grandfather's care after her parents left, she values stability and independence. She lives on a houseboat in Sausalito, where she tries to connect with her new stepdaughter while maintaining her own career.

The chief coder at a high-tech firm called The Shop. He is a devoted father who prioritizes his 16-year-old daughter above all else. His sudden disappearance, accompanied only by a cryptic note and a duffle bag of cash, sets the central investigation in motion.

A 16-year-old high school student and theater enthusiast living in Sausalito. Having lost her mother at a young age, she shares a tightly knit bond with her father. She initially treats her new stepmother with guarded suspicion and outright dismissal.

A prominent defense attorney based in Austin, Texas. Historically known as "The Good Lawyer" for his dedicated work on behalf of clients, his long career involves complex legal battles and high-stakes criminal defense cases.

A photo editor at the San Francisco Chronicle who lives in the city. She has been best friends with Hannah since they were 15 years old, walking dogs together in Peekskill, New York. She serves as a steady, reliable presence in Hannah's life.

A US Marshal based out of Austin, Texas. He arrives in Sausalito to question Hannah about her husband's whereabouts, blending polite gestures with intimidating warnings.

A driven, ambitious Wall Street lawyer residing in New York. He was engaged to Hannah years prior and still harbors a desire to resume their relationship. He uses his professional resources to investigate the situation on her behalf.

A lawyer and resident of Sausalito who is one of Owen's oldest friends in the area. He maintains a strained marriage and often requires others to keep secrets about his personal life.

Carl's wife and a highly vocal member of the Sausalito social scene. She readily shares gossip with her book and wine clubs and quickly turns against people when her finances are threatened.

The CEO of The Shop, a high-tech company in the Bay Area. His aggressive business practices and handling of the company's IPO attract a massive federal investigation into widespread fraud.

Avett's wife and an early client of Hannah's woodworking business. She staunchly defends her husband against the federal fraud allegations, insisting the entire situation is a setup.

The owner and operator of The Never Dry, a family-owned bar in Austin, Texas. He is deeply protective of his family's privacy and reacts with extreme suspicion when strangers ask about his past.

A deceased woman from Austin, Texas, whose photograph is found during a search of university yearbooks. Her history is closely tied to a local Episcopal church and her family's bar.

A gruff, demanding professor at the University of Texas. He is notorious for using intimidation tactics in his classroom but possesses a surprisingly sharp memory of his former students.

An investigative reporter working at the San Francisco Chronicle. He is highly enthusiastic about breaking news stories involving corruption and has romantic feelings for his coworker.

A high school student in Sausalito described as nerdy. He dates Bailey and occasionally helps her research things online.

Hannah's father, who worked as a traveling photographer. He demonstrated little interest in childrearing and eventually left his family.

Hannah's mother, who insisted her daughter call her by her first name. She prioritized her relationship with her husband over raising her daughter and eventually abandoned Hannah.

Owen's deceased first wife. Owen frequently shares stories about her with Hannah to explain Bailey's past and her lack of early memories.