Heather is a manager at Loch Corrin. A former medic, she left her busy city life when her husband died in a fire. Her grief overwhelmed her and convinced her that a secluded life in the wilderness would keep her from experiencing more pain. Heather is an alcoholic and has suicidal thoughts. The seclusion of the wilderness only increases her pain because she’s wholly alone with her problems. Despite her flaws, Heather is the hero of the novel. She investigates Miranda’s murder without the help of the police, is compassionate to Doug, and takes a bullet for Katie, thus saving the lives of both Katie and her unborn baby. Heather ultimately learns that being with people is more helpful than being without them and that vulnerability to pain and hurt is a good thing.

Miranda is the leader of the group of friends who reunite in Loch Corrin for their annual New Year’s Eve trip. She’s beautiful, popular, glamorous, and often cruel to others. Miranda hasn’t grown much since her university years. She has no career and therefore spends her days trying to fill her time with her husband, Julien, and her social life. She and Julien are unhappy in their marriage, however, because neither of them has evolved from their youthful dating years.