Harriet “Hal” Westaway

Harriet “Hal” Westaway is the main character of this novel. She turns out to be the biological daughter of Maggie Westaway and Ezra Westaway even though she was raised by her cousin, Maud Westaway. Hal learns that her biological mother was killed by her father in a fit of rage when Maggie came to Ezra wanting child support. Maud took over Hal’s care when Maggie never returned home. Maud was killed just days before Hal’s 18th birthday because she had written to her mother warning her that she was going to tell Hal the truth about her heritage. Ezra hit Maud with a car, killing her because he was afraid Hal would uncover Maggie’s death.

Even though Hal sets out to deceive the Westaways, she is presented in a way that she does not appear as an antagonist. She is simply an innocent...