Miss Maple is the cleverest sheep in the Glennkill flock, named after a famous fictional human detective. She takes the lead in investigating George's death by examining the physical evidence, sniffing the body, and organizing her fellow sheep into a surprisingly effective detective agency. She uses methodical logic to piece together the human clues that confuse the rest of the flock.

George is the solitary shepherd of the Glennkill flock whose sudden death sets the story in motion. He maintained a close bond with his animals, regularly reading them romance novels, detective stories, and reference books aloud. His private life reveals a web of complicated relationships and hidden activities within the village.

Othello is a large, four-horned black ram who serves as the flock's primary protector. He possesses a dark past as a former circus animal where he was mistreated, giving him a cynical understanding of human cruelty. He uses his formidable strength to defend the sheep from dogs and threatening villagers.

Mopple is a large, highly food-motivated sheep who functions as the flock's official memory keeper. He possesses an eidetic memory for sensory details and conversations, storing crucial clues for the investigation. His immense appetite often leads him into frightening situations, particularly involving the local butcher.

Ham is the gruff local butcher whom the flock naturally views as a terrifying predator. He carries a menacing presence in the village and is deeply entangled in the community's concealed history. An accidental fall off a cliff early in the story confines him to a wheelchair, though he remains a fearsome figure.

Sir Ritchfield is the aging lead ram of the Glennkill flock. While he commands respect, his failing memory and hearing create a power vacuum among the animals. He harbors deep guilt and anxiety over a past incident involving his family.

Melmoth is Sir Ritchfield's long-lost twin brother, a legendary figure among the flock who vanished years prior on a dare. He returns as an enigmatic wanderer with deep knowledge of the terrain and survival skills. He challenges the flock's traditional ways by teaching them self-reliance and environmental awareness.

The local village priest, known to the sheep simply as "God" because he lives in the church. He is a deeply nervous and fearful man carrying heavy guilt over past events. He frequently self-medicates with alcohol and becomes terrified that he is being haunted by supernatural rams.

Gabriel is a quiet, manipulative neighboring shepherd who temporarily takes over the Glennkill meadow. The sheep are horrified to discover he raises a "meat breed" destined for slaughter, viewing him as an industrial grim reaper. He actively searches George's property for hidden items.

Beth is a highly devout local woman known for her constant proselytizing and strong adherence to local superstitions. She was a close acquaintance of George and claims to understand the dark history affecting the village. She carries a distinct scent that the sheep easily recognize.

Rebecca is George's estranged daughter who arrives in the village to settle his affairs. She takes up her father's habit of reading aloud to the sheep, specifically selecting gothic literature like *Wuthering Heights*.

Kate is George's red-haired wife. She maintains a bitter and distant attitude regarding her husband's death, focusing more on his strange behavior and secret letters than expressing grief.

Lilly is a local woman and George's girlfriend. She experiences genuine distress over his death but finds herself in tense conflicts with his wife and the local butcher.

Josh is the local pub landlord who is part of a secretive group of village men. He actively attempts to break into George's caravan to find hidden items, fearing exposure of the town's secrets.

Tom is a local man who discovers the murder scene. He tells highly sensationalized and untruthful accounts of finding the body to gain attention from the community.

Maude is a sheep in the Glennkill flock with an exceptionally keen sense of smell. She functions as the group's forensic expert, detecting hidden humans and emotional states through scent alone.

Zora is a thoughtful sheep who prefers observing events from a high rocky ledge. She is brave enough to speak with Gabriel's unsettling, silent flock and uncovers the terrifying truth about their purpose.

Heather is a younger, impressionable ewe in the flock. She interprets the events surrounding George's death purely through the lens of the romance novels he used to read to them.

Fosco is a cynical, veteran ram who consistently wins the annual "Smartest Sheep in Glennkill" contest. He understands humans much better than the meadow flock, possessing knowledge about complex human behaviors.