Blood Beach

Ruth's disappearance at Venice Beach acts as the catalyst for the whole story. She remains unseen, her fate casting a shadow on Catherine and the investigation. Ruth's case introduces the terror of an invisible assailant that can strike at ordinary people near home.

Catherine is Ruth's daughter who travels from San Francisco to Los Angeles. She is determined and emotionally driven, seeking her mother's fate and building a connection with Harry. Her investigation into sinkholes and the buried victims drives the plot forward.

Harry is a harbor patrol officer who first witnesses Ruth's disappearance near Venice Beach. He becomes an active participant in the investigation, providing on-the-ground insight and a personal stake through his relationship with Marie. He remains practical and protective as he confronts an otherworldly threat.

Royko is a tough LAPD sergeant who drives the investigation. He coordinates the search and pushes back against unfounded speculation while trying to keep the public calm.

Dr Dimitrios provides scientific dialogue and explains the pathology of the victims, noting that the dog death cannot be clearly explained. He offers cautious, sometimes skeptical commentary about the creature's origins. He speculates that the monster could regenerate from parts, leaving authorities wary.

Captain Pearson commands the police operation and directs the effort to hunt the creature, escalating the use of heavy equipment and explosive measures. He represents official response under mounting public pressure.

Marie is a French airline stewardess living with Harry; she is grabbed by the unseen creature and later becomes one of the victims. Her disappearance heightens the sense of a wider, inescapable threat.

Hoagy is Harry's coworker who visits the pier and is pulled under the sand by the creature, becoming one of its victims. His death underscores the unstoppable reach of the threat.

Mr. Hench is attacked and mangled by the underground creature after trying to investigate under the pier. His experience reveals the creature's brutality and the danger lurking beneath.