Killers of the Flower Moon Characters

Mollie Burkhart

Mollie is the protagonist of the book. She is in line to inherit her family's oil fortune. As a result, she ends up being the target of a murder plot. Mollie struggles to stop the individuals who are killing the members of her family. Mollie is one of four sisters. She is described as being the most capable and serious of her siblings, taking the most active role in the police investigation. As the story progresses, she becomes increasingly withdrawn and somber, as she is wracked with grief and traumatized by the brutal violence around her.

Tom White

Tom White is the FBI agent tasked with solving the Osage murders. He is given this assignment in 1925 and is specially selected by J. Edgar Hoover for the job. Formerly a Texas Ranger, White is honest and hard-working. He doggedly pursues the truth and, in the process, discovers the pervasive conspiracy that has been set in motion against Mollie's family. Unlike his boss, Hoover, White shows little interest in recognition or accolades, and instead seems wholly focused on justice.

Ernest Burkhart

Ernest is Mollie's husband. He is portrayed as a weak-willed man who is highly susceptible to the influence of his uncle, William Hale. He becomes involved in the murders of Bill and Rita Smith and is party to a number of the other murders. It is also strongly implied that he poisoned Mollie.

William Hale

William Hale, commonly referred to as the "King of the Osage Hills," is a powerful figure in Pawhuska. Hale got his start as a cattleman but gradually rose in stature, eventually becoming the town's deputy sheriff. He has significant political and financial influence over the town. Hale is ultimately exposed as the perpetrator of the Osage killings. Hale shows no remorse for his crimes and pursues every available avenue of avoiding punishment.

Anna Brown

Anna is the eldest sister in the Burkhart family and the first victim of the Osage murders. She is described as being fond of parties. She has divorced and remarried at the time of her death.

Bill Smith

Bill is the husband of Mollie's sister Rita. Besides Mollie, he is one of the first people to take note of the suspicious connection between all of the deaths on the reservation. He begins asking questions in an effort to solve the mystery and ends up being mortally wounded in an explosion. He is described as being physically strong, with a short temper and a drinking problem. He is frequently abusive to Rita.

Rita Smith

Rita is another of Mollie's sisters. She is depicted as being intelligent and quick. She loves Bill a great deal, despite his outbursts of violence. She also dies in the same explosion that kills Bill and Nettie.

Henry Grammar

Henry Grammar is a rodeo champion and known criminal. He is an early suspect in the murders and becomes implicated in the conspiracy. He is violent and cruel, displaying no scruples about injuring or killing other people.

Henry Roan

Henry Roan is another victim of the Osage murders. He is depicted as a generous man, who puts too much trust in his friendship with Hale.

J. Edgar Hoover

J. Edgar Hoover is the director of the FBI. He assigns White the Burkhart case. Grann writes that he is largely preoccupied with the image of the Bureau and seems to care less about the actual resolution of the case. He supports White but often seems jealous of the attention he receives.