Aidan Thomas & “Family”
Aidan Thomas—outwardly, a recent widower and “everyone’s favorite handyman and general good guy around town”
Cecilia Thomas—aka “Cece”; Aidan’s 13-year-old daughter
“Rachel”—“the woman in the shed” and “the woman in the house” (also “the woman without a number”); a 5-year-long “quiet tenant” of Aidan’s, whom he sometimes tries of pass off as his cousin; her real name is May Mitchell
The Amandine Crew
Emily—bartender and owner of Amandine, a restaurant she inherited from her father; she has a crush on Aidan
Eric—a waiter at Amandine and a close childhood friend and roommate of Emily’s
Yuwanda—a waitress at Amandine and a close childhood friend and roommate of Emily’s
Cora—a waitress at Amandine
Nick—the chef at Amandine
The Numbers
Number One—the first woman he killed, when he was in college
Number Two—the second woman he killed, when he was engaged
Number Three—the third woman he killed, when his wife was pregnant
Number Four—the fourth woman he killed, when his daughter had just taken her first steps
Number Five—the fifth woman he killed, when his wife was first diagnosed with cancer
Number Six—the missing number in the chapter titles; presumably the woman he let live and held captive for 5 years, “Rachel”
Number Seven—the sixth woman he killed, when he thought his wife was dying
Number Eight—the seventh woman he killed, when he knew his wife was dying
Number Nine—the last woman he killed; she is Melissa, the most recent missing woman, mentioned at the beginning of the story
Townspeople
Judge Byrne—elected judge (for past 30 years) and owner of a small house he rents to Aidan when Aidan’s in-laws kick him and Cecilia out of the house they own, after their daughter dies
