Pat Montague. A recently discharged young Army lieutenant.
Helen Abbott Cairns. Pat’s former sweetheart, now married to another.
Huntley Cairns. Her nouveau riche husband, a repugnant tub of a man.
Lawn Abbott. Helen’s moody, headstrong younger sister.
Thurlow Abbott. Helen’s father, a former musical comedy star.
Midge and Adele Beale. A happily quarrelsome couple. She was once romanced by Huntley Cairns.
Jed Nicolet. A young hotshot lawyer who respects Miss Withers.
Beulah and Jeff MacTavish. Servants to the Cairns. Don’t be fooled by their thick plantation accents.
Bill Harcourt. A professional partygoer.
Harry Radebaugh. A young surgeon and acting deputy coroner.
Joe Searles. The Knowles’ gardener, a disreputable old recluse.
Commander Sam Bennington. A retired Navy officer.
Albert Vinge. The local sheriff, who feels he’s out of his depth here.
Mame and Trudy Boad. A society matron and her daughter.
Miss Hildegarde Withers. A prim, angular retired schoolteacher and tropical fish fancier, fond of meddling in murder.
Oscar Piper. A New York police inspector-and longtime admirer of Miss Withers who alternately tolerates and is infuriated by her snooping.
Mr. Malone. A slick Chicago lawyer.
Plus assorted neighbors, friends, and law enforcement officials.