Eliza Ripple
Elizabeth is the novel's protagonist and is introduced as a widow shortly after her husband dies. Elizabeth lives in Monterey Town in America, a place where women have no access to opportunities because men in society mistreat them. When Elizabeth's husband dies suddenly in a nasty bar fight, she is left to care for her family without a job or any other resource attached to her name.
Elizabeth is forced to look for a job in a brothel where she works as a prostitute to raise money for her family's needs. Surprisingly, most women can get jobs in brothels more easily than in any other sector of the economy. Eliza's experiences show how society treats women as inferior humans who do not deserve the best in life. While working in the brothel, Elizabeth works with fellow prostitutes, taking caution because their lives are always in danger.
Mrs. Parks
Mrs. Parks owns the brothel where Elizabeth works as a prostitute. Mrs. Parker employs several women to service men at her brothel. The author describes Mrs. Parker as a cautious woman concerned about her employees' safety. Mrs. Parks always reminds the female sex workers that they operate in a dangerous environment. Therefore, each sex worker is reminded to take care. Mrs. Parker is among the few women in her community operating a business, but she always fears for her safety.
Jean
Jean is a sex worker and a close friend of Elizabeth. When Jean discovers that her fellow sex workers are disappearing mysteriously, she asks Eliza to join her in investigating the murders to know exactly what is happening. Jean realizes that people close to their circles murder her fellow sex workers. Jean and Elizabeth start operating cautiously to avoid being the next victims.
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe is the author of the novel The Murders in Rue Morgue. The novel’s central character is a detective called Dupin. Dupin explains a systematic process to catch murderers. Therefore, Eliza and Jean get inspiration from Edgar’s novel to help them know the killer of their fellow sex women.
