John Archibald Dortmunder - Always on the lookout for a way to make crime pay. A nondescript man with a hangdog look, he's marginally smarter than his cronies and generally responsible for planning each caper. Drinks bourbon (or rather 'a murky brown liquid labelled Amsterdam Liquor Store Bourbon - Our Own Brand ').

Andy Kelp - Always optimistic, he's Dortmunder's friend and the guy to go to if you need a car thief. He's 'the other bourbon' during planning sessions.

Stan Murch - The driver for the group. Knows his way around the mean streets and will describe them in exacting detail. Drinks one beer (only one - he's a driver, after all), which he sprinkles with salt when it starts to go flat.

Tiny Bulcher - The 'muscle' of the group. A mountain of a man, with a face that scares passers-by and a short fuse. You do not want to get on his bad side. Drinks vodka with red wine .

Rollo - The bartender at the OJ Bar & Grill, he knows his customers by drink, not by name.

Murch's Mom - A New York City cab driver. Occasionally called