Who is Dave Robicheaux? What is his background? How does this background make Dave vulnerable to the sequence of events in the novel? Why does Dave become involved in Dixie Lee's troubles? Is Dave becoming involved for friendship or for deeper reasons? How does Dave's involvement spiral out of control? How much of this is Dave's fault?

Who is Dixie Lee Pugh? Why does Dixie Lee come to visit Dave? What is their relationship? Why does someone try to kill Dixie Lee? Why are they not successful? Why is Dixie Lee arrested? Why is Dixie Lee afraid of going to jail? Why does Dave try to help Dixie Lee?

Who is Cletus Purcel? Compare and contrast Cletus and Dave. Was Cletus a corrupt cop? Were his actions different than some of the violent behavior Dave has displayed? Should Cletus have gone to jail for...