Who Are The Main Characters In The Auctioneer?

If you pick up 'The Auctioneer,' prepare to meet the Moores: John, Mim, and little Hildie. They’re the heart of the story, a family trying to hold onto their way of life as Perly Dunsmore’s auctions consume their town. John’s resistance feels heroic at first, but his stubbornness blinds him to the danger. Mim’s the voice of reason, though no one listens until it’s too late. And Hildie—god, her arc is quietly devastating. Perly’s the catalyst, a smooth-talker who weaponizes community spirit. The brilliance of the book is how ordinary these characters are, making their choices—and mistakes—utterly believable. It’s a slow burn, but the payoff lingers.

The Auctioneer' is this gripping novel by Joan Samson, and honestly, the characters stick with you long after you finish reading. The story revolves around the Moore family—John, Mim, and their daughter Hildie—who live a quiet life in a small New Hampshire town. Then this charismatic stranger, Perly Dunsmore, rolls in and starts hosting auctions that slowly take over the community. John’s the kind of guy who just wants to mind his own business, but Perly’s manipulations force him into a corner. Mim’s more perceptive, sensing something off from the start, but even she gets swept up in the chaos. Hildie’s innocence makes her the most heartbreaking figure as the town’s tension escalates.

What’s fascinating is how Perly isn’t your typical villain; he’s charming, persuasive, and exploits people’s goodwill. The secondary characters, like the townsfolk, are equally compelling because they represent how easily collective fear can erode trust. The book’s strength lies in how ordinary people react under pressure, and the Moores’ unraveling feels painfully real. I still think about how Samson crafted such a slow, suffocating dread—it’s less about gore and more about psychological erosion. If you’re into stories where the 'monster' is human nature itself, this one’s a masterpiece.

Reading 'The Auctioneer' felt like watching a storm build in slow motion. The main characters—John and Mim Moore—are so vividly ordinary that their descent into paranoia hits harder. John’s this stubborn, salt-of-the-earth farmer who thinks he can outlast Perly Dunsmore’s schemes, but his pride becomes his downfall. Mim’s sharper, noticing the way Perly’s auctions bleed the town dry, but her warnings go unheeded until it’s too late. Their daughter Hildie is the quiet observer, and her fate wrecked me. Then there’s Perly, who’s less a mustache-twirling villain and more a wolf in sheep’s clothing—his ability to turn neighbors against each other is terrifying.

The supporting cast, like the sheriff and other townspeople, aren’t just background noise; they mirror how complicity grows. What stuck with me is how Samson makes you question what you’d do in their place. The book’s a masterclass in tension, and the characters’ flaws make them achingly human. It’s one of those stories where the 'horror' isn’t supernatural—it’s the way power corrupts, and how easily people surrender to it.