Rochester Reformatory

Alex Cunningham, 29, is a former true-crime author retreating to Rochester on what he calls a mental health sabbatical. Quiet, private, and analytical, he avoids attention—unless he's asking questions.

Owner and operator of Sunny Side Up!, Arlo is 29 and is known throughout Rochester for her warmth, reliability, and deep roots in the community. She’s friendly without being performative, and balances a calm demeanor with quiet resolve. Locals respect her, because she speaks her mind.

Kit is a fast-moving, quick-smiling fixture at Sunny Side Up!, where she lives and works in exchange for helping Arlo keep the place running. Technically still a teenager, she carries herself with a confidence and maturity beyond her years. She’s upbeat, unpredictable, and occasionally disappears for hours or days without explanation.

At 71, Warden Malcolm Flint has run Rochester Reformatory since 1999. He speaks with composed authority, rarely repeats himself, and never appears unaware of what’s happening in his facility.

Dr. Layla Warner, 49, is the head psychiatrist at Rochester Reformatory. She’s professional, articulate, and known for her patient-first approach—even when institutional policies push back.

At 35, Edith Thorne is the head librarian at Rochester Public Library. Quiet and methodical, she keeps the space running with quiet precision and an unobtrusive sense of order. Most patrons know her by name.

Harvey Lowell is a longtime columnist at The Rochester Report. Though well past retirement age at 74, he continues to write and observe the town with steady discipline and deliberate emotional distance.

Rosalie Whitlock, 29, the sole survivor of the 2006 Whitlock murders, resides under permanent care at Rochester Reformatory. Her words often contradict, her memory drifts, and her stillness lingers. She speaks rarely, listens always, and never seems surprised.

Vivian Parker, Arlo’s spirited grandmother and the retired owner of Sunny Side Up!, is a beloved fixture in Rochester. Known for her sharp wit, vintage style, and uncanny ability to get the truth out of anyone over a cup of tea, she blends old-school charm with mischievous insight, even at 80.

Ellis Burk is 36 and he runs The Rochester Reader, a quiet bookstore near the main square. Soft-spoken and reserved, he’s polite with customers but keeps to himself, more comfortable among shelves than crowds.

Dale Whittaker, 44, is Rochester’s sheriff, known for his steady hand, strong ethics, and quiet sense of duty. He grew up here, knows every street, and serves the town without pretense or performance.

Mayor Phineas Wren, 45, is the smooth-talking, ever-present face of Rochester’s civic life. Publicly generous, privately strategic, he governs with charm, visibility, and a curated network of underestimated talent.

Iris Bellamy is 36 and owns and operates The Mourning Bell Diner. She’s quick with a smile, faster with a rumor, and never far from the center of any social ripple. People eat there as much for the stories as the coffee.