Content Warning: This section of the guide describes physical abuse and child death.

Jackson Brodie is the protagonist, although his narrative perspective is one of several in the novel. A former police officer turned private investigator in his sixties, he possesses a dry wit and reflective nature. Jackson is an empathetic character with a strong moral compass, though his methods and decisions are often unconventional. His investigation of the theft of Woman with a Weasel illustrates his awareness of The Moral Complexities of Justice: Learning more about the individuals involved, Jackson feels a greater affinity toward the “criminal” than the clients who hired him. Jackson’s complex character is demonstrated when he poses as Dorothy Padgett’s nephew to gain unauthorized access to her dead body. His actions are not only illegal but seem disrespectful to the deceased. However, by apologizing to the dead woman and imagining the unfulfilled nature of her life as Harold’s wife, he illustrates his compassionate worldview.

The murder of Jackson’s sister during his adolescence both haunts and motivates him, connecting to the theme of The Legacy of Loss.