The Dry Characters

Charlotte is the infant daughter of Karen and Luke. She is the only survivor on the Hadler farm after the murders. Eventually, Falk realizes that Charlotte survived because she was too young to remember anything and act as a witness.

McMurdo is the bartender at the pub where Falk rents a room while he’s staying in Kiewarra. His local knowledge becomes important to Falk in Falk’s quest to discover who killed the Hadlers, particularly when he informs Falk that Whitlam (the murderer) has a gambling problem.

Erik Falk is protagonist Aaron Falk’s father. Father and son were forced to leave Kiewarra after the authorities found evidence that seemed to implicate one of them in Ellie’s murder, which took place 20 years before the novel’s present.

Lachie is the young son of Gretchen. While Falk finds evidence that suggests Luke might be Lachie’s father, Gretchen denies it on several occasions. Ultimately, the truth about Lachie’s father remains a mystery.

Rita Raco is Sergeant Raco’s wife. She is pregnant with their first child, and the child’s impending birth is part of what motivates Sergeant Raco to keeping following the Hadler murder case, which involves the death of an innocent child (Billy).

Sandra Whitlam is Scott Whitlam’s wife. She knows about some of his gambling problems, but according to Whitlam, she doesn’t know that debt collectors are after him or that he murdered Karen, Luke, and Billy.

Gran is Sullivan’s elderly grandmother. She is frail and suffers from dementia. She seems to hint that Sullivan is lying about his alibi (he is, but not because he committed the murders).

Barnes is Kiewarra’s police constable. He helps Falk and Sergeant Raco with their investigation.

Mandy Vaser is a local woman whose distrust of Falk illustrates how many in town feel about him, having believed Deacon’s lies and gossip about Falk’s involvement in Ellie’s murder 20 years ago.

The courier discovers Karen’s body.