The Strange Woman

Beautiful but calculating, Jenny uses charm to climb Bangor’s social ladder and secure wealth through marriage. She flirts with Ephraim while wed to Isaiah, manipulating those around her and masking her true nature. Her schemes propel the town toward tragedy and expose the fragility of reputation.

A hesitant heir who returns from Cambridge to a town roiled by lawlessness. He becomes entangled with Jenny and bears the weight of his father’s death and his own fear, eventually succumbing to despair and drink as the plot unfolds.

Wealthy timber baron and stern patriarch whose priorities center on order and success. His rigid demeanor and business acumen shape Bangor’s early industry and fuel tension with those who challenge his authority. He meets a fatal end in the rapids, underscoring the era’s dangers.

Mild-mannered timber superintendent drawn into Jenny’s web. Engaged to Meg Saladine, he becomes torn between duty and desire as Jenny’s influence test his loyalties. His journey illuminates the fragility of trust within relationships.

Judge’s daughter and Evered’s fiancée, she embodies conventional morality. She uncovers Jenny’s deceit and urges Evered to remain faithful, serving as a moral anchor amid the turmoil.

A traveling evangelist whose fervent sermon catalyzes confession and reveals hidden truths. His presence disrupts appearances of propriety and shifts the story toward its dramatic resolution.

The town’s judge who steps in to curb violence but is ultimately killed amid the period’s lawlessness. His pursuit of justice highlights the precarious balance between order and chaos in Bangor.