One for the Money characters

Appears from the start

A newly divorced Trenton resident who loses her job as a discount-store lingerie buyer and needs money quickly. With no investigative training and little caution, she pressures her cousin Vinnie into giving her work apprehending people who have skipped bail. Her persistence, familiarity with the Burg, and refusal to be intimidated compensate for her inexperience as she takes on a difficult first case.

Appears from the start

A Trenton vice cop charged with killing an unarmed man and missing his court date. He and Stephanie have an adversarial history stretching back to their teenage years. More experienced at surveillance and street work than she is, he is determined to remain free long enough to find evidence supporting his account of the shooting.

First appears in chapter 2

An exceptionally capable bounty hunter who works cases for Vinnie and gives Stephanie practical instruction in apprehension, surveillance, weapons, and personal safety. Controlled and difficult to read, he treats her as a novice but recognizes her determination.

Appears from the start

Stephanie's cousin and the owner of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. He reluctantly hires her after she uses family leverage against him, then assigns her failure-to-appear cases and expects results while trying to limit his own exposure.

Also known as Connie

Appears from the start

The office manager at Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. Efficient and well connected to neighborhood information, she supplies Stephanie with files, procedural guidance, and a more realistic view of the work than Vinnie does.

Appears from the start

Stephanie's outspoken grandmother, who lives with Stephanie's parents and is fascinated by police business, court cases, and neighborhood scandal. She encourages Stephanie's new occupation and approaches danger with more curiosity than caution.

Appears from the start

Stephanie's mother, a practical Burg homemaker who worries about her daughter's unemployment, divorce, and increasingly dangerous choice of work. She would prefer Stephanie to find a stable job and conventional domestic life.

First appears in chapter 2

A Trenton police officer related to Stephanie by marriage. He is one of her safer contacts inside law enforcement, providing limited information while reminding her that she is neither trained nor protected like a police officer.

First appears in chapter 4

A woman working the streets in Morelli's vice territory who becomes an important witness to the violence surrounding Stephanie's investigation. Tough and observant, she has good reason to distrust both criminals and police.

First appears in chapter 4

A celebrated heavyweight boxer whose charm and public reputation conceal a threatening private manner. He fixates on Stephanie after she crosses his path and repeatedly tries to frighten her away from questions linked to Morelli's case.

First appears in chapter 5

Benito Ramirez's manager, responsible for protecting the boxer's career and controlling problems around him. His polished business role gives him access to the people and places Stephanie is investigating.

Appears from the start

Vinnie's regular apprehension agent, temporarily unavailable when Stephanie asks for work. His absence creates the opening that lets an untrained newcomer take a valuable and hazardous assignment.