Emory is the protagonist of the novel. Emory is inquisitive and loves to solve puzzles, and these traits place her in the detective role for the novel’s mystery plot. As a simulacrum, she is smaller than the average human and has long, dark hair. Emory moves from occupation to occupation to try to be of service to the community, but she cannot find anything that she feels meets her skill set. Emory’s questioning nature makes the other villagers uncomfortable because they interpret it as a sign of disrespect for the elders.

Emory’s character arc exemplifies the theme of The Ethics of Scientific Inquiry. Emory was one of Thea’s apprentices along with her husband, Jack, before he died, and she is the only villager who chose to quit the job. Emory quits her position because she does not want to follow the elders without questioning their ethics. This causes a rift between Emory and her family, as they fail to understand why Emory does not want to follow orders. Niema’s murder prompts Emory to investigate the elders’ scientific goals and methods even further. Her discovery that she is a simulacrum, and therefore designed by Niema, shifts her entire

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