Sadie is the eponymous protagonist of this story, whose last name symbolizes her hunt for Keith. This is her coming of age tale, as Sadie leaves her grueling life in rural Cold Creek and strikes out on her solo journey to find Mattie’s killer. Sadie has no resources nor adult support; she only has her savings, her stolen switchblade, and her wits. Throughout her journey, Sadie encounters people and places very different from what she has grown up knowing, and her experiences make a profound impact on her. Sadie tells her story so intimately, and with such raw emotion and painful revelation, that the reader develops a strong connection to her character.

Sadie begins the story focused purely on her need for revenge. Going out into the world and seeing the pain others suffer teaches Sadie compassion. She empathizes with Marlee, relates to Javi, and wants to take the hurt away from the little children she knows have been abused as she was. Sadie grows as a person to become more in touch with others.

One of the most heartbreaking elements about Sadie is that the reader comes to love her strength and humanity.