17 year-old Haley McWaid is a good girl, the pride of her suburban New Jersey family, captain of the lacrosse team, headed off to college next year with all the hopes and dreams her doting parents can pin on her. Which is why, when her mother wakes one morning to find that Haley never came home the night before, and three months quickly pass without word from the girl, the community assumes the worst.
Harlan Coben likes to present lots of characters (too many) in his novels. Sometimes this is confusing for the reader. This list will help to identify the characters in the novel.
Main Characters
Dan Mercer - social worker known as a friend to troubled teens / he walks into a trap of TV news program "Caught in the Act"Wendy Tynes - reporter / presenter at NTC NewsHaley McWaid - oldest daughter of Marcia and Ted McWaid / suddenly missingEd Grayson - one of the fathers of families whose child that has been abused / pensioned federal MarshallPhil Turnball - one of Dan Mercer's flatmate during Princeton university; worked at investment company, but jobless due to rumors of fraudeFrank Tremont - police detective Essex County; early 60 nearing retirementMickey Walker - Sheriff Sussex County; big black 150 kgAmanda Wheeler - stepdaughter of Jenna Wheeler / classmate of Haley McWaidAriana Nasbro - alcoholic who killed Wendy's husband John 12 years agoArthur Lemaine - ice hockey coach / brother-in-law of Ed Grayson / shot in both kneesCharlie - 17 year old son of WendyChrista Stockwell - 40 years old / lives in home of Dean at PrincetonChynna - young girl in "Caught in the Act"Doug - dressed as a tennis professionalEd Junior "EJ" - son of Ed and MaggieFarley Parks - flatmate of Dan during University / candidate of Congress, but in trouble due to political sex scandalFlair Hickory - attorney of Dan MercerHester Grimstein - TV-judge and attorney of Ed GraysonJenna Wheeler - ex-wife of Dan Mercer; since 8 years remarried with:Jersey - Wendy's dogJohn Morrow - made Wendy pregnant at her 19th; married for 5 years when killed by a drunk driver Ariana NasbroKelvin Tilfer - flatmate of Dan during University / black / genius / psychiatric patientLee Portnoi - attorney of Wendy TynesMaggie - wife of Ed GraysonMarcia McWaid - mother of Haley, Patricia and RyanMichelle Fischer - young new TV news presenterNoel Wheeler - surgeonNorm alias "Ten-a-fly" - member of Father's Club / now wannabe rapperPatricia McWaid - 14 years oldPops - father of John; (ex-) father in law of WendyRidley Barry - co-founder of Barry Brothers Trust, where Phil Turnbull has worked before he was firedRyan McWaid - 9 years oldSherry Turnball - Phil's wifeSteven Miciano - flatmate of Dan during University / orthopedic surgeon / accused of possession of drugsTed McWaid - father of Haley, Patricia and RyanTom Stanton - young policeman / deputy sheriffVic Garrett - Wendy's Boss at NTC NewsWindsor "Win" Horne Lockwood, III - He is the secondary character in the Myron Bolitar series. While the best friend of hero Bolitar, Win would best be described as an anti-hero, being very psychopathic in nature. In "Caught" Wendy calls Win for confidential informationFrederik Montagne - a high boss of the NTC NetworkGreg - sun of Hal and MarileeHal - married with MarileeKasey - daughter of Frank Tremont, that died at 17 years of age from cancerKirby Sennett - a boyfriend of Hailey McWaidLawrence Cherston - Princeton jup / moderator of Princeton Facebook pagerLoren Muse - boss of Frank TremontMarilee - sister of Marcia McWaidMavis - secretary of Vic GarettMichael Wind - childhood friend of Pete ZecherMichelle Fischer - young new TV news presenterNoel Wheeler - surgeonNorm alias "Ten-a-fly" - member of Father's Club / now wannabe rapperPatricia McWaid - 14 years oldPete Zecher - school deanPops - father of John; (ex-) father in law of WendyRidley Barry - co-founder of Barry Brothers Trust, where Phil Turnbull has worked before he was firedRonal Tilfer - brother of Kelvin TilferRyan McWaid - 9 years oldSharon Hait - Facebook alias of Wendy TynesSherry Turnball - Phil's wifeStephe Slotnick - dean at PrincetonSteven Miciano - flatmate of Dan during University / orthopedic surgeon / accused of possession of drugsTara O'Neill - pathologistTed McWaid - father of Haley, Patricia and RyanTom Stanton - young policeman / deputy sheriffVic Garrett - Wendy's Boss at NTC NewsPhil TurnballFarley ParksKelvin TilferSteven MicianoPhil TurnballNorm (Ten-a-Fly)DougOwen