Matt Fowler

Matt Fowler, the protagonist of “Killings,” is a middle-aged man in his mid-fifties. He resides in a small Massachusetts town where he owns a store, and is married to Ruth, with whom he has spent thirty-one years. Together, they have three children: Steve, Cathleen, and the late Frank. Matt and Ruth share a profound connection, characterized by an inability to keep secrets from each other, especially after the tragic loss of their youngest child, Frank. This loss devastates Matt, compounding his grief and rage, and leaves him feeling as though his role as a father has been irreparably shattered. Matt is haunted by the thought that he might have prevented Frank's untimely death had he been more assertive in advising him against his relationship with Mary Ann Strout.

In the aftermath of Frank's murder, Matt experiences an unrelenting sense of failure and imagines exacting revenge on Richard Strout, Frank's killer, by shooting him. The once peaceful small town, now tainted by grief, serves as a constant reminder of what his family has lost, with Richard's presence serving as an unbearable affront to Matt's attempt to hold his fractured family together. Seeking relief from this overwhelming sorrow, Matt finds a like-minded confidant in Willis Trottier, enabling him to execute a plan of vengeance that starkly contrasts his nature as a loving father and husband.

Ruth Fowler

Ruth Fowler is a loving and dutiful wife to Matt and a devoted mother to their children: Steve, Cathleen, and Frank. Her profound sorrow over Frank's murder is palpable, even more so than her husband's despair. Her presence looms heavily over the narrative, despite not directly participating in the revenge plot against Richard Strout. Ruth's emotional depth is revealed through her candid discussions with Matt, especially in moments of intimacy, such as in bed. She harbors deep-seated fears about Frank's relationship with Mary Ann, recognizing the potential for trouble, yet she still extends generosity towards Mary Ann, encouraging her to visit with her children.

Ruth's moral compass is unwavering, characterized by her efforts to keep her judgments to herself. This moral strength contrasts sharply with the chilling intensity of her emotions following Richard’s actions. Her character is portrayed as someone who strives to be good despite the dire circumstances, making her reaction to the unfolding events all the more haunting.

Richard Strout

Richard Strout, the estranged husband of Mary Ann Strout, is a twenty-six-year-old man with a notorious temper. A former high school athlete, Richard once held a football scholarship but quit college after two semesters, narrowly avoiding expulsion due to poor grades. Choosing not to join the family construction business run by his brothers, he works as a bartender, supported by his father, harboring bitterness over his past choices. Richard's marriage to Mary Ann was marred by mutual infidelity, and their separation paved the way for Mary Ann's relationship with Frank, which Richard could not accept.

Richard's anger culminates in the murder of Frank Fowler, an act driven by resentment and a misguided desire to reclaim his marriage. Although Richard's actions are despicable, his character is humanized through his palpable fear upon realizing that Matt and Willis plan to kill him in retribution for Frank's death.

Frank Fowler

Frank Fowler, the youngest child of Matt and Ruth, is a vibrant young man whose life is tragically cut short at the age of twenty-one. At the outset of the story, Frank is already deceased, and the narrative explores his character through the memories and reflections of his parents. A dedicated graduate student in economics, Frank was warm and humorous, maintaining his light-heartedness even...