a Norristown couple finds Susie's charm bracelet but don't realize its significance, and Susie closes the story by wishing the reader "a long and happy life". Characters Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old girl who is raped and murdered in the first chapter. She narrates the novel from Heaven, witnessing the events on earth and experiencing hopes and longings for the everyday things she can no longer do. Jack Salmon, her father, who works for an insurance agency in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. After Susie's death, he is consumed with guilt at having failed to save her. Abigail Salmon, Susie's mother, whose growing family responsibilities have frustrated her youthful dreams. After her daughter's death, she leaves her husband and children to move to California. She returns years later. Lindsey Salmon, Susie's younger sister by one year. She tries to help her father investigate Harvey. Buckley Salmon, Susie's younger brother by 10 years. His unplanned birth forced Abigail to cancel her plans for a teaching career. He sometimes sees Susie while she watches him in her heaven. Grandma Lynn, Abigail's mother, an eccentric alcoholic who comes to live with the Salmons when her son-in-law asks her to help Abigail cope with Susie's death. After Abigail leaves, Lynn helps raise her grandchildren. George Harvey, the Salmons' neighbor. A serial killer of young girls who has gone uncaught, he murders Susie. The Salmons gradually suspect him, and he eventually leaves Norristown to escape the investigation. He continues killing as he moves across the country. Years later, he dies in an accident while stalking a potential victim. Throughout the novel, Susie refers to him as Mr. Harvey, the name she had addressed him by in life. Ruth Connors, a classmate whom Susie's spirit touches as Susie leaves the earth. Ruth becomes fascinated with Susie, despite having barely known her during her life, and begins writing about seeing visions of the dead. Ray Singh, a boy from India, the first and only boy to kiss Susie, who later becomes Ruth's friend. He is first suspected by the police of murdering Susie, but he later proves his alibi. He is the one Susie spends her short time on earth with that she is granted years after her death. Ruana Singh, Ray's mother, with whom Abigail Salmon sometimes smokes cigarettes. Samuel Heckler, Lindsey's boyfriend and later her husband. Hal Heckler, Sam's older brother who runs a motorcycle repair shop. Len