Claire
Clare is the novel's protagonist, seven years old; attending a vacation with her family in Saint X. Clare is the daughter of Thomas and younger sister to Alison, an eighteen-year-old stunning queen. Clare is curious and determined to investigate anything she perceives as suspicious. Alison disappears on their last vacation day, and her decomposing body is found several days later. Clare receives the news with disappointment and vows to investigate until she gets enough evidence to vindicate the suspects.
When Clare turns 22, she works as an editor in New York. Clare changes her identity to Emily to forget the merciless dearth of Alison. Still determined to investigate the case, Clare comes across Clive in Manhattan, one of the main suspects in Alison's murder. The police set Clive free because there was insufficient evidence to sentence him. Clare uses her tactics and charming beauty to befriend Clive to get information that can vindicate him in the murder of Alison. Clare's efforts fail to yield positive results because Clive's confession reveals that Alison died by drowning due to intoxication.
Alison
Alison is Clare's sister, an eighteen-year stunning blonde-haired woman who attracts the attention of most men in the resort. Alison is the eldest daughter of the Thomas family. Alison is a careless young woman who allows every man to make a move at her without thinking of the possible consequences. During their last day on Saint X Island, Alison sneaks from her room at night to have fun with Clive and Edwin, new boyfriends in the resort. Alison drinks and takes drugs. When Clive refuses sex with Alison, she gets mad and gets outside while drunk. Unfortunately, Alison falls and drowns. Alison's body is found several days later.
Clive Richardson (Gogo)
Clive is a uniformed employee at a resort in Saint X Island where Thomas' family is vacationing. Clive is a close friend of Edwin, a fellow employee in the resort. Clive is an attractive man who catches the attention of Alison. The author further depicts Clive as a faithful and truthful man. After all, he refuses to have sex with Alison because he is married. Clive and Edwin are the last people seen with Alison before she dies. After Clive and his friend are arraigned in court, they are released because there is no adequate evidence for their sentencing. After eighteen years, Clare and Alison meet in New York. Alison tells Clare everything that happened the night before she died to prove his innocence.
Edwin Hastie
Edwin is Clive's ally and a fellow employee at a resort in Saint X. Edwin and Clive dine with Alison the night she dies. Edwin loves alcohol, partying, and having sex. When Alison suggests they have sex, he agrees, but Clive declines. After Alison's death, Edwin is arrested alongside Clive.
Sara
Sara is Clive's faithful wife who loves her husband and son. Sara's caring nature makes Clive a faithful man. When Clive is tempted to have sex with Alison, he declines because he has a beautiful and faithful wife at home.
