Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi
Pippa "Pip" Fitz-Amobi is a determined and courageous adolescent detective. She is extremely intelligent and driven to learn the truth about her classmate, Andie Bell's, mysterious disappearance. She goes undercover and confronts dangerous characters to get to the bottom of it. Pippa is also not easily discouraged, as evidenced by her persistence in her investigation even after her dog is kidnapped and found dead. She is also extremely resourceful, quickly piecing facts and information together to form a complete picture. Pippa is not afraid to challenge authority and speak truth to power, as evidenced by her capstone presentation, in which she criticizes the Fairview community for judging Sal Singh before all of the facts were known.
Salil “Sal” Singh
Salil "Sal" Singh was originally charged with murdering Andrea "Andie" Bell and disposing of her body five years ago. Because of his status as an outsider, Sal is described as a target of suspicion by the police and the Fairview community. Because of his youth and the lack of evidence to prove his innocence, he is painted as a sympathetic character. Sal is also shown to be a caring brother to his younger brother Ravi, who works with Pip to establish Sal's innocence. Sal is a victim of the town's prejudice and haste to reach a verdict, as he is discovered dead in the woods after sending a text confession, which solidifies his guilt in everyone's mind except Pip's.
Ravi Singh
Ravi is Sal's younger brother, and he assists Pip in her investigation into his brother's death. Ravi is brave and willing to take risks to help Pip and protect her when things get dangerous. He is also devoted to Pip, standing by her side and helping her prove his brother's innocence. He is tenacious and determined to discover the truth at any cost. Ravi is also compassionate, deeply caring for his brother and Pip, and is willing to go to any length to help bring justice. He is an important character in the story, and Pip might not have been able to solve the case without him.
Andrea “Andie” Bell
Andrea Bell is a young lady who attended Fairview High School. She had a secret older boyfriend, she bought drugs from Howie Bowers and sold them at house parties, and she bullied a girl named Nat da Silva into dropping out of school. Andrea was a well-developed character with her own set of motivations and goals. She was a risk taker who was willing to engage in risky activities and challenge authority. She also had a rebellious streak, as evidenced by her drug dealing and attempts to extort her history teacher. Andrea was also determined and strong-willed, and she was willing to take risks to succeed.
Mr. Ward
Mr. Ward is Pip's high school teacher and the father of her best friend. He is the primary suspect in the murder of Andie Bell, and it is revealed that he had a secret relationship with her and a tense relationship with her. He is a manipulative and controlling individual who is willing to go to great lengths to keep his secrets hidden. He is also a very cunning and clever person, as he frames Sal for the murder and holds a girl he believes to be Andie captive in his old home for five years.
Max
He is a mysterious and suspicious character who is linked to Andie Bell, the missing girl at the heart of the story. He has a naked photograph of her and appears to be aware of her whereabouts. He is also linked to Howie Bowers, who supplied her with drugs, and is later revealed to be a member of the same family as the Bells. Max is a complex character who is never fully revealed, but his shady behavior and involvement in the case make him a suspect in Andie's disappearance. He is motivated by a desire to protect his family and his secrets, and his actions often lead Pip and Ravi closer to the truth.
Howie Bowers
Howie Bowers is a drug dealer and a suspect in Andrea "Andie" Bell's disappearance. He is mentioned as a possible link to the case in the book, as Andie was known to buy drugs from him and sell them at house parties. Howie is described as dangerous, and Pip is advised to avoid him when she begins her investigation. Howie is described as intimidating, distrustful, and uncooperative, and he refuses to provide Pip with the information she requires. He is also portrayed as ruthless, as Pip's dog is kidnapped and found dead after she ignores warnings to stay away from Howie. Although Howie is ultimately unrelated to Andie's disappearance, his character is crucial in assisting Pip to uncover the truth about what happened to Andie.
Becca
Becca is Andie's sister and the novel's main antagonist. She is a cunning individual who will go to any length to keep her secrets hidden. Her willingness to murder her own sister and dispose of her body in a septic tank demonstrates her ruthless and callous personality. She is also very deceptive, as she tries to cover up her crime by framing her brother-in-law. Becca is a determined and resourceful character who will go to any length to keep her secrets hidden, even if it means kidnapping Pip's dog or sending her threatening notes. Becca, despite her criminal tendencies, is a sympathetic character, as the story reveals her troubled past and her struggles with addiction.
Nat da Silva
Nat is described as a timid individual who submits to the demands of her peers. She was so intimidated by Andie and her clique that she dropped out of high school. Nat is a passive character who does not actively participate in the investigation, but her interactions with Andie reveal a great deal about the victim and her relationships with others. Nat is a bullying victim who serves as a warning about the dangers of such behavior.
