McSorely is a loner who is contemplating taking his own life after being cursed by a series of problems in his personal and professional life

Buchan is the public defender on Moristoun and the most education of all the island's permanent residents. He ended up in Moristoun after taking his own life in guilt after an affair with his mistress led to her killing her husband. He's the most handsome and educated man in Moristoun and has read every book in the library

Gail is the only mortal in Moristoun at the start of the story, having been brought there as a baby when her mum died by suicide. She was adopted by Jimmy and Brendan, the landlords of the Tortured Soul pub, and has grown up unaware that Moristoun is an island of the damned. She is the most beautiful woman on the island and almost every man in Moristoun has a crush on her

Hogg is a humble toilet attendant and the most dim-witted of Moristoun's citizens. At the start of the book he stands accused of attempted murder, having lashed out in fury at McCall after being insulted one time too many

McCall is the head of Radio Moristoun and spends all his free time in the Tortured Soul, drinking lager and ogling Gail. He is a big fan of Moristoun Athletic football club

Henderson is the editor of the Moristoun Gazette newspaper and is McCall's drinking buddy, mainly because he is also a fan of Moristoun Athletic.

Brenda ended up in Moristoun after a series of miscarriages led to a dark depression. But she finally gets the chance to become a mother in Moristoun when Gail arrives and becomes her adopted daughter. Brenda is also a teacher and has spent the last 15 years homeschooling Gail

The landlord of the Tortured Soul, Jimmy is a giant of a man who is not to be messed with. But he is warm and gentle inside and is a loving adoptive father to Gail. He is a massive Moristoun United fan and often argues with McCall and Henderson about the football rivalry on the island

United Kingdom

Dark Comedy

Drama

Mystery

English

Book

Movie

Television

Fictitious World

Moristoun is an island in the afterlife where people from Scotland are banished to when they have died by suicide