The trappings of sensational murders notwithstanding, The Pit is primarily a novel about two characters, Jeanette, who narrates the novel, and her boyfriend Neil. At 5 feet 10 inches and only 125 pounds, Jeanette is taller than Neil but not necessarily as heavy. She has an attitude problem—a bitterness stemming from the loss of her father in a car accident—and she tends to be sarcastic, even when talking to herself.

Jeanette waxes hot and cold on a number of issues, particularly her relationship with Neil, a friend since early childhood. "Never date a friend never, never! It totally bites, because you never know how to treat each other," she declares at one moment of frustration with him. Soon she is yearning to make love to him; Neil is understandably confused by her behavior and put off by it.

Both characters have deep, dark...