In the Lake of the Woods Characters

John Wade’s mother, quoted many times in the “Evidence” chapters. She defends her son from all accusations of wrongdoing, and almost always takes the most sympathetic view of his actions.

Kathy’s sister, described as a fitter, healthier version of Kathy. Patricia doubts John’s sincerity and regularly expresses her amazement that Kathy stayed with him for so long. When the possibility arises that John was involved in Kathy’s disappearance, John senses that Patricia is very suspicious of him.

A co-worker of Kathy’s at the University of Minnesota, Bethany offers her take on Kathy’s disappearance during many of the “Evidence” chapters. She finds Kathy to be a cheerful woman, almost to the point where she must have been hiding something.

John Wade’s high school gym coach, who vividly remembers the pain John felt on the day he learned of his father’s suicide.

A waitress at a Mini-Mart who sees John arguing with Kathy, and later sees John buying food just before his disappearance.

A young soldier serving in Charlie Company during the Vietnam War. John Wade shoots and kills Weatherby, an action that haunts him for years afterwards.

A grade school classmate of John Wade who makes a speech about how much he likes John’s father, Paul Wade.

A soldier in Charlie Company in Vietnam who loses his left foot to a land mine and later testifies for the Peers Commission Report concerning American soldiers’ behavior in Vietnam.

Mother of Paul Meadlo.

A soldier in Charlie Company in Vietnam who later testifies for the Peers Commission Report concerning American soldiers’ behavior in Vietnam, and insists that he was only following orders at My Lai.

Author of various books on magic and sleight of hand.

A red-haired woman who runs the magic shop where John often went as a child.

Famous biographer of such important political figures as Robert Moses and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Famously reclusive novelist and author of Gravity’s Rainbow and The Crying of Lot 49.

American president from 1963 – 1969 who oversaw the expansion of the American war in Vietnam.

Politician who served as Mayor of New York and later lost the presidency to Harry Truman in a famously unexpected defeat. O’Brien cites Dewey’s opinions on the psychological effects of defeat.

American president who resigned in disgrace in 1974 after the Watergate scandal.

Author of books on war and trauma, often cited by O’Brien on both subjects.

A soldier who was present at My Lai and disobeyed orders by refusing to shoot women and children.

A soldier in Charlie Company in Vietnam who later testifies for the Peers Commission Report concerning American soldiers’ behavior in Vietnam. Conti testifies that he murdered women and babies, and raped Vietnamese women.

19th century Russian author of Crime and Punishment and Notes from the Underground whose work is celebrated for its psychological depth and insight.

A biographer of Houdini.

Legendary magician whose fascination with death and resurrection is compared with that of John Wade.

Celebrated 19th century Russian author of plays and short stories.

Author of books on child development, cited for his opinions on the effects of a dead parent on a child’s growth.

Child psychologist who O’Brien cites for his views on shame and guilt.

American president whose humiliations as a child, O’Brien speculates, were instrumental in encouraging him to take up politics as a career.

One of the lead investigators at the court-martial concerning the Mai Lai Massacre.

A soldier in Charlie Company in Vietnam who later testifies for the Peers Commission Report concerning American soldiers’ behavior in Vietnam, and who describes My Lai as an act of revenge.

19th century novelist and essayist.

A soldier in Charlie Company in Vietnam who later testifies for the Peers Commission Report concerning American soldiers’ behavior in Vietnam, and who describes My Lai as an act of revenge.

A soldier in Charlie Company in Vietnam who later testifies for the Peers Commission Report concerning American soldiers’ behavior in Vietnam, and who describes My Lai as an act of revenge.

Richard Nixon’s wife, whose life is relevant to In the Lake of the Woods because, like Kathy Wade, she endured a huge amount of pageantry and campaign appearances for her politician husband’s sake.

A biographer of Pat Nixon.

Reclusive author of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, often said to have changed his name to find a new identity for himself.

A biographer of B. Traven.

Author who is cited for noting that there are more than 30,000 cases of missing persons per year.

Viennese founder of psychoanalysis, whose opinions about trauma and authorship are cited throughout the novel.

A Democratic nominee for the Senate who defeats John Wade in the primaries by digging up dirt on John’s role in the My Lai massacres.

The dentist with whom Kathy Wade has an affair. While it’s implied that John finds out about this affair and confronts Kathy, little to no information is given about Harmon himself—indeed, Kathy says she can barely remember what he looks like.

19th century writer who disappeared after saying he was going to explore Mexico.

Author of a classic text for magicians, The Magician’s Notebook, often cited by O’Brien to explain the psychology of a magic trick.

Psychologist and specialist in Vietnam veterans’ post-traumatic stress disorder, cited for his opinions on trauma and memory.

The notorious Civil War general for the Union who led a massive army through the South, eventually burning the city of Atlanta to the ground. Toward the end of his life, Sherman helped to settle the American West, calling for the “extermination” of the Native Americans.

Robert W. T’Souzas – A Vietnam war veteran who was tried and acquitted for the murder of children at My Lai, and was later murdered in the streets of his home town.