The youngest child of the Mulvaney family, Judd is an observant but frequently excluded boy who closely monitors the dynamics of his parents and older siblings. Nicknamed Dimple, Pretty Boy, Baby, and Ranger, he pieces together the family's history from partial conversations and late discoveries. He works as a journalist in his adulthood but spends much of his youth trying to understand the unspoken tensions surrounding his older sister.

Corinne is the optimistic and deeply religious matriarch of the Mulvaney family. She operates a cluttered, informal antique shop at High Point Farm and manages a sprawling household filled with pets. Her devotion to her husband's fragile ego often guides her actions, and she relies on an unshakeable belief in divine providence to justify her difficult parenting decisions.

Michael is a self-made businessman who owns Mulvaney Roofing and the idyllic High Point Farm. Coming from a difficult, abusive childhood in Pittsburgh, he places immense value on social standing and desperately wishes to be accepted by Mt. Ephraim's wealthy elite. He presents a gruff, patriarchal exterior but harbors deep insecurities and an intense fear of social rejection.

Marianne is a 17-year-old cheerleader and the only daughter in the Mulvaney family. Nicknamed Button or Chickadee, she possesses a gentle disposition and an intense Christian faith. Following a traumatic incident after a school dance, she struggles with immense guilt and confusion, viewing herself as a tarnished figure seeking repentance through isolation and menial labor.

Patrick is the highly intelligent, academically gifted second son of the family. He holds a scholarship to Cornell University and prefers intellectual isolation to the social popularity enjoyed by his siblings. Rational and logical, he initially struggles to emotionally process family crises but harbors a deep, simmering protective instinct that eventually overrides his academic ambitions.

Zachary is the son of a wealthy investment banker in Mt. Ephraim. Shielded by his family's high social standing and wealth, he acts with a sense of entitlement and privilege. His coercive and violent actions toward Marianne set off the central crisis for the Mulvaney family, though he faces no immediate consequences for his behavior.

The oldest Mulvaney sibling, Mike Jr. is a physically strong, traditional high school athlete. He shares his father's patriotic ideals but sometimes struggles to meet Michael's expectations at the family roofing business. He favors practical discipline and conventional masculine roles, eventually seeking structure away from the family's farm.

Mort is a wealthy investment banker and an established member of the Mt. Ephraim Country Club. He represents the elite social circle Michael Mulvaney aspires to join. He defends his son's actions as mere wild behavior and uses his social leverage to protect his family from legal or social consequences.

Whit is a pragmatic and kind veterinarian who operates the Stump Creek Hill Animal Shelter. He uses an inheritance to care for sick, injured, and abandoned animals. His direct but gentle manner helps create a safe environment for the creatures in his care, and he extends this same practical patience to the humans who work for him.

Sable is Corinne's close friend and business partner. The two women share a small farm and operate an antique barn together, providing Corinne with a stabilizing companionship outside of the immediate Mulvaney family structure.

Della Rae is a local girl from a poor, marginalized family in the area. She falls victim to a gang assault by local high school athletes, an event the town collectively ignores. Her presence serves as a harsh reminder of the community's cruel class divisions and the vulnerability of unprotected girls.

Lydia is a doctor's wife and a perfectly groomed member of the local country club. Her polished appearance and high status make Corinne feel plain by comparison. She acts as the intrusive bearer of bad news regarding Marianne's unusual behavior in town.

Abelove is the director of the Green Isle Co-op commune. He is a married man who relies heavily on Marianne's organizational skills to keep the commune functioning. He eventually develops complex, inappropriate feelings for her that complicate her search for peace.

Hewie is a carpenter working at the Green Isle Co-op. He is observant and helpful, offering practical transportation during a difficult time for Marianne. However, his unprompted declarations of affection end up frightening her away.

Penelope is a poet and the head of the Hagström Foundation. She requires a personal assistant to manage her daily affairs. She relies so heavily on her assistants that she places increasing, suffocating professional demands on Marianne.

Austin is a high school boy who attends the St. Valentine's Prom as Marianne's official date. He fails to ensure she gets home safely, leaving her vulnerable to Zachary Lundt.

Dr. Oakley is a local physician in Mt. Ephraim. He conducts the physical examination that confirms the assault Marianne endured, officially cementing the reality of the trauma for the family.