Avery Judith Stafford
One of the book’s first-person narrators and the central protagonist of the story. She is the daughter of U.S. Senator who is being groomed to replace him upon his impending retirement. Meanwhile, in her job as a lawyer, the theft of a family heirloom—a dragonfly bracelet—right off wrist stimulates what will eventually become an investigation into a child trafficking operation which flourished through much of the first half of the 20th century.
Georgia Tann
Tann is an actual historical figure whose story stimulated the novel. In her position running the Memphis regional branch of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, Tann attains political influence, public admiration and even praise from Eleanor Roosevelt while secretly running stealing children and selling them to rich clients that extends even to movie stars and politicians.
Rill Foss/May Weathers Crandall
Rill/May is also a narrator and the secondary protagonist of the novel. When just twelve years old, Rill Foss in the midst of her mother giving birth yet again, she and four siblings are abducted and handed over to Georgia Tann who changes her name May Weathers. Rill must stand by helplessly as all but her young sister Camellia are adopted and taken away while Camellia simply disappears one day after having been sexually assaulted by the orphanage groundskeeper, Mr. Riggs.
Trent Turner III
Trent is also a member of a successful lineage who benefits from the process of being an heir: in this case, he takes over the family’s real estate business rather than their seat of political power. The positions of both families ultimately leads Avery to contact Trent on her mission taking her closer to the truth of Georgia Tann, but in so doing it will also ultimately lead to much more personal revelations about the history and actual lineage of both. Trent also becomes instrumental in making Avery realize she her impending marriage to a man she’s known her whole life would be a mistake.
