Cuffy “Sportcoat” Lambkin
Sportcoat is the protagonist of the novel, and he is a deacon at the Five Baptist Church. Sportcoat is the husband of the late Hattie. When Sportcoat comes across Deems, a notorious 19-year-old drug dealer, he shoots him. However, Deems survives, but he gets serious injuries. The shooting enlightens people about the area's rampant criminal gangs dealing in the illegal drug business. Bunch Moon, the criminal gang's leader, vows revenge against Sportcoat for revealing their dark operations.
Deems
Deems is a 19-year-old drug dealer working with a larger network under the leadership of Bunch Moon. When Sportcoat finds Deems selling heroin, he shoots him. Luckily, Deems survives because the police intervene and save his life.
Hettie
Hettie is the late wife of Mr. Sportcoat and the mother to Pudgy. Despite being dead, Hettie appears as a ghost to Sportcoat, and they often converse.
Pudgy Finges
Pudgy is the blind son of Mr. Sportcoat and Hettie. The biggest test left for Mr. Sportcoat by Hettie is raising Pudgy. According to Sportcoat, raising a blind child is the most difficult task in his life.
Bunch Moon
Bunch Moon is the leader of the criminal gang responsible for drug smuggling. When Moon learns that Sportcoat has shot Deems, he vows to revenge.
Earl
Earl is the partner of Bunch Moon, and they jointly combine efforts to retaliate against Mr. Sportcoat for revealing their shady business deals, which involve heroin.
Mobster Joe Peck
Mobster Joe Pech is a notorious criminal belonging to the Gorvino gang family. Peck's subordinates are threatening to dethrone him from his position as the gang's leader.
Tommy
Tommy, commonly known as "the elephant man," is a notorious smuggler of Italian origin, and he is under pressure to bring new drugs when contemplating quitting crime.
Veronica Gee
Veronica Gee also known as “Sister Gee” is tasked with uniting the church. However, she secretly has an affair with Sgt. Kevin Potts Mullen.
Hot Sausage
Hot Sausage is a close friend of Mr. Sportcoat. When matters become serious about the shooting incident, Sausage advises Mr. Sportcoat to flee the country for safety.
