# Cinder — Scarlet Sister Mary character guide

> Cinder in Scarlet Sister Mary by Julia Peterkin.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0004-iii

## Snapshot

Mary's own second cousin, sweet-mouthed and fox-tricky, who sweet-talks July in the doorway while his lawful wife watches from the shed room.

## Who they are

Cinder drifts through the community with a pointed chin and a talent for making men forget their obligations, and July is no exception. Her easy laughter and shining eyes turn Mary's wedding joy into a slow-burning jealousy that will shape everything Mary does next. She is the first woman to show Mary what betrayal feels like from the inside, and the wound she leaves never quite closes.

## Relationships

### [Mary Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/mary_pinesett)

_friendship_

Cinder is Mary's close friend and confidante, sharing gossip and support through life's trials.

### [July Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/july_pinesett)

_social_

Cinder and July have a casual acquaintance as fellow members of the same community.

### [Mary Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/mary_pinesett)

_friendship_

Cinder is Mary's close friend and confidante, sharing gossip and support through life's trials.

### [July Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/july_pinesett)

_social_

Cinder and July have a casual acquaintance as fellow members of the same community.

### [July Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/july_pinesett)

_social_

Cinder and July have a casual acquaintance as fellow members of the same community.

### [Mary Pinesett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/mary_pinesett)

_friendship_

Cinder is Mary's close friend and confidante, sharing gossip and support through life's trials.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/iv)

Mary's second cousin, who had tried to win July and is hosting the dance at Foolishness.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/v)

The woman who dances with July, provoking Mary's jealousy and anger.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/vi)

Cinder left for town on a river-boat shortly after the wedding, which Mary considers a good thing as she trusts July but not other women.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/ix)

Cinder returns to the Quarter, visits Mary's home, flirts with July, and wears fine clothes and powder; her presence stirs jealousy and tension.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/x)

July's lover; Mary believes Cinder has conjured July and considers harming her.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xi)

Cinder is blamed by Mary for conjuring July and causing his infidelity. Mary curses her bitterly.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xii)

The side-gal who previously obtained a love charm from Daddy Cudjoe to catch a beau, now involved with July.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xiii)

Blamed by Mary for taking July away; compared to Pharaoh in the sermon.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xiv)

Mentioned as the woman July left Mary for; Mary fantasizes about killing her.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/chapters/xviii)

Mary visits Cinder in town and sees her as a pitiful soul still grieving for July; Mary no longer blames her for July's sins.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters/cinder
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarlet_sister_mary_se/characters