Don't Let Go of My Hand

Main Characters and Their Development

• The main characters of the novel are the Liardet family, whose fates become tightly entwined against the dazzling backdrop of Réunion Island. Martine Liardet is a woman of delicate sensibility, combining vulnerability and inner strength; her disappearance becomes the starting point for uncovering secrets and deep-seated fears. Sandrine Liardet, her husband, is portrayed as a man torn between despair and determination, his character revealed in extreme circumstances, when love for his daughter and the desire to uncover the truth become his only compass. Little Julie Liardet embodies childlike innocence and trust, and her perspective adds a special poignancy to the story. Around this family, a gallery of secondary characters emerges: Inspector Apolline Baptiste, endowed with sharp intellect and intuition, whose professional acumen is balanced by humanity, and other island residents, each contributing their own note to the novel’s complex score. As the plot unfolds, the characters undergo trials that reveal their true nature, force them to change, make difficult choices, and confront their own fears, lending their portrayals depth and authenticity.