Jack, Susie's dad, is the frustrated hero of the piece. He's the loving father who knows the truth of his daughter's murder, but can't prove it. His struggle is perhaps most poignant. He sticks it...

Abigail is Susie's mom and a complicated woman. Her love for Susie is apparent in her intimate knowledge of things Susie related, as detailed to Len Fenerman. But, as Susie had already learned from...

Lindsey, Susie's little sister, is thirteen when Susie dies. She is the living hero of the story Susie is watching and telling. Her story begins in winter in chaos, and ends in spring in reunion, m...

Buckley is Susie's little brother, the youngest Salmon child. He's about four when Susie is killed. Susie had a warm and close relationship with Buckley and even saved his life when he was chocking...

Fenerman (in the movie played by Michael Imperioli of Sopranos fame) is the detective in charge of Susie's case and a recent widower. He's part of the novel's love triangle; he has an affair with S...

Ruth is Susie's age, fourteen, when Susie dies. She and Susie had recently become friends, connecting over Ruth's art. Ruth is ghost-Susie's Earthly counterpart. Susie wishes she were alive and is...

Samuel is Lindsey's boyfriend. About the time Susie leaves her life, Samuel enters it, bearing half-a-heart pendants, kisses, and unlimited moral support. Samuel is super smart and super athletic l...

Lynn is Abigail Salmon's mom. She's a hard drinking, hard flirting, fashion conscious lady who comes to the rescue after Susie's death, keeping Salmon house and just plain being there. Without Lynn...

Franny is Susie's "intake counselor" in the first heaven. As with Susie, her profession in life, counselor, continues into the afterlife. Franny, unlike Susie, knows the ways of the afterworld, and...