A young girl whose story we follow in this book, living in the Marsh in isolation when her family leaves her to fend for herself.

A love interest of Kya’s who lives in the town nearby with his father, and eventually goes on to marry Kya.
Chase Andrews - The town’s golden boy when in reality he is not a good person but hurts Kya even attempting to abuse her. He is found, supposedly murdered.

She left Kya at a young age and is referred back to throughout the story in memory and by messages.

One of Kya’s brothers who she is closest with in both relationship and age.

Kya’s abusive father who pushes her family away with addiction.

A shopkeeper, turn father figure who lives in Coloured Town.

The wife of Jumpin’ who has a mothering-like role towards Kya.

Ed Jackson is the town’s sheriff. He testifies in Kya’s trial.

Lives and works in town. She testifies in Kya’s trial.

The cashier at the town’s store ’Piggly Wiggly.’ She testifies in Kya’s trial.

Amanda Hamilton is a writer who publishes poems in the town’s local newspaper. At the end of the book, it turns out that Amanda Hamilton is Kya’s pseudonym. Kya was Amanda Hamilton.

A truancy officer from town that was assigned Kya’s case when she was young. She was part of the jury in Kya’s trial.

A shrimper from town. He testifies in Kya’s trial.

Scupper 

A fisherman from the town who is Tate’s father.

Kya’s editor and publisher. He testifies in Kya’s trial.

A fisherman from town. He testifies in Kya’s trial.

The judge presiding over Kya’s trial.

The cat that occupies the courthouse. He forms a relationship with Kya, while she’s there.

The coroner, who examines Chase Andrews’s dead body. He testifies in Kya’s trial.

A shrimper from town. He testifies in Kya’s trial.

The lawyer, who represents Kya in her trial for Chase Andrew’s murder.

The state prosecutor, who argues in court that Kya is responsible for the murder of Chase Andrews.

A young boy from town, who with his friend, Chase Andrews’s dead body.

A young boy from town, who with his friend, finds Chase Andrews’s dead body.

A deputy police officer in Barkley Cove. He helps the Sheriff with the investigation involving Chase Andrews.

A doctor. He examines Chase Andrew’s body when it’s found.

Chase Andrews’s mother.

The guard at the courthouse jail, where they keep Kya before and during her trial. He is nice to Kya.

The owner of the Three Mountains Motel in Greenville, North Carolina. He testifies in Kya’s trial.

The wife of Chase Andrews.