The novel’s protagonist, Devine is a 32-year-old former soldier grappling with guilt from his military past. The youngest of three siblings, he carries the emotional scars of a childhood devoid of parental support, which influences his decisions throughout the novel. His military experience, marked by a deadly altercation with a fellow officer, propels him into a low-level position at Cowl and Comely as a form of self-imposed penance. Devine’s intelligence, physical prowess, and moral compass position him as the archetypal hero, yet his involvement in the financial sector and his reluctance to engage in romantic relationships add layers of complexity to his character. Despite disrupting the money-laundering operations at Cowl’s company, Devine is not omniscient, and his inability to uncover the puppet masters behind the scheme marks his limitations.

The novel’s primary antagonist, Cowl is the affluent and egotistical owner of the financial firm Cowl and Comely. Portrayed as the stereotypical wealthy businessman, Cowl’s hubris and disregard for others are evident in his interpersonal relationships, notably with Michelle Montgomery and Jennifer Stamos. His deception about his family’s wealth and the nonexistence of his business partner, Anne Comely, further illustrate his duplicitous nature.