A fourteen-year-old girl from suburban Pennsylvania with a passion for photography. Following her murder, she resides in a personalized heaven, from which she observes her grieving family and friends on Earth. She yearns to experience the milestones of growing up that she was denied while watching her loved ones process their sudden loss.

A thirty-six-year-old bachelor living in the Salmon family's neighborhood. He builds dollhouses for a living and maintains a quiet exterior that successfully deflects police suspicion. Beneath his polite facade, he acts on predatory impulses and keeps hidden mementos from his crimes.

Susie's thirteen-year-old sister. Highly intelligent and athletic, she struggles with what she calls "walking dead syndrome," feeling that everyone looks at her and sees her missing sibling. She is observant and matures quickly to cope with her family's changing dynamics.

Susie's father. He experiences profound guilt over his inability to protect his daughter and fixates on his own private investigation into her death. His relentless focus on finding answers strains his emotional health and his employment.

Susie's mother, a woman who previously dreamed of studying literature and teaching. Stifled by the expectations of suburban motherhood, she struggles immensely with the trauma of losing her child and begins withdrawing from her traditional family responsibilities.

A bookish artist at Susie's school who is considered a social outcast. She develops a profound connection to the supernatural after feeling Susie's spirit pass by her, prompting her to document her unusual visions in a private journal.

Susie's four-year-old brother. Shielded by his parents from the full truth of the tragedy, he often expresses confusion about his sister's absence. He maintains a quiet intuition about the supernatural and clings to the memories he shared with her.

Abigail's mother, known for her eccentricities and glamorous makeup. Despite her strained history with her daughter, she brings an unexpected burst of energy and practical support to the grieving household, helping the family find small moments of joy.

The police detective assigned to investigate Susie's disappearance. A widower who carries the weight of his own unresolved past, he becomes closely involved with the Salmon family while trying to uncover the truth behind the crime.

A classmate born in India who moved from England. He shared a mutual crush and a first kiss with Susie shortly before her death. He provides a gentle, thoughtful presence and finds himself connected to Ruth over their shared memories.

Susie's intake counselor in her personalized version of heaven. A former church social worker, she gently guides new arrivals as they adjust to their surroundings and advises Susie on how to find peace.

A Vietnamese-American girl who shares a room with Susie in heaven. Having arrived on the exact same day, she experiences the afterlife alongside Susie, participating in activities like jazz band.

Susie's best friend on Earth. She possesses the conventional teenage traits that Susie admired, such as wearing platform shoes and smoking, and she attempts to maintain her social standing while dealing with the loss.

Clarissa's high school boyfriend. He represents the typical teenage experience that Susie watches from afar, participating in secretive parking lot meetings and nighttime rendezvous.

A classmate with an intuitive understanding of mechanics. He sees past the tragedy surrounding the Salmon family and treats Lindsey with genuine attention, offering her a space to be a normal teenager.

Ray's mother. She projects a calm exterior and offers brief moments of solidarity to others in the neighborhood, sharing a quiet understanding of life's darker realities while her own marriage cools.

Samuel's older brother, who runs a motorcycle repair business. He provides transportation and practical support to the younger teenagers in his community.

The school principal at Lindsey's junior high. He attempts to offer comfort and guidance to students following the tragedy but frequently misreads their emotional needs.

Buckley's childhood best friend. The two young boys spend time playing in the backyard and exploring the Salmon house together, relatively insulated from the older family members' grief.