Abilene Tucker
The main protagonist of the story, Abilene is a young girl who has been sent to stay in Manifest for the summer. She is mostly lonely, due to her broken relationship with her father, but quickly makes friends with the Taylor sisters, who accompany her on her journey to uncovering Manifest's secrets.
Miss Sadie
A fortune teller that tells Abilene of the town's history. She is often outcasted due to her 'gypsy' status. She suffers with the guilt of the loss and death of her son in the war and spent years trying to find him.
Jinx (Gideon Tucker)
Jinx is the boy in Sadie's story. His background is that of a sad one, having been verbally and physically abused by his uncle. Abilene can relate to his loneliness. Jinx also suffers with guilt for causing a death that was not his own fault, but that triggered him to leave Manifest all the same. It is discovered in the end that Jinx is actually Gideon Tucker, Abilene's father.
Hattie Mae Harper
A local journalist for the News Auxiliary column for the Manifest Herald. She has been at this job for years and is desperate to help Abilene with her investigation. She acts a maternal role to Abilene and sees a mini version of herself in her.
Soletta (Lettie) Taylor
Abilene's close friend and fellow sleuth in uncovering the mystery of Manifest. She and her sister, Ruthanne, quickly make friends with Abilene when she arrives new in town, and go out of their way to make her feel welcome.
Ruthanne Taylor
Abilene's close friend and sister to Lettie. Both are enamored by the secrets of the town and make fast friends with Abilene in order to unfold the secrets. Her sister and Ruthanne help create diversions during the investigation, for example, setting off fireworks.
