Li Lan
The protagonist of the novel, Li Lan is haunted by Lim Tian Ching, the deceased former heir of the Lim family, in order to get her to agree to a ghost marriage.
Mr. Pan
Li Lan's father who is antisocial and has been addicted to opium since the death of his wife, Li Lan's mother, when Li Lan was a small child.
Amah
Li Lan's faithful and justifiably superstitious nurse.
Old Wong
A servant in Li Lan's household who we later learn can see and talk to the dead.
Lim Tian Ching
The deceased heir of the Lim family, who is haunting Li Lan.
Madame Lim
The matriarch of the Lim family who takes an interest in Li Lan as a ghost bride for her son.
Yan Hong
The daughter of one of Lim Teck Kiong's other wives, cousin to Tian Bai and Lim Tian Ching, who befriends Li Lan.
Tian Bai
The new heir of the Lim family who is characterized by his more modern and less traditional views; Li Lan's betrothed.
Lim Teck Kiong
The patriarch of the Lim family, father of Lim Tian Ching.
Er Lang
A "minor official" of the heavenly courts who is investigating the dealings of the Lim family, and is not human.
Fan
A young woman who died waiting for her lover and is now a ghost, and who agrees to help Li Lan navigate the Plains of the Dead.
Master Awyoung
The old man who Li Lan meets in the Plains of the Dead on the road who turns out to be the mastermind behind the conspiracy involving the Lim family.
Old Master Lim
Lim Tian Ching's granduncle, who is staying in the Plains of the Dead far past his allotted time and guiding Lim Tian Ching in delivering packages and messages to further their traitorous plans.
Auntie Three
The cook's assistant in the Lim mansion located in the Plains of the Dead, Auntie Three helps Li Lan while she is in the mansion. It turns out that she is Li Lan's mother.
