there was yvette kilty , a single woman in her mid-thirties whod been the town hermit until a week ago ; luanda anon , a tall , imposing woman of color who held a prominent position on the school board ; emily steadman , an elderly lady of around seventy with hair turning blue around the temples and a skeletal , malnourished frame ; and finally mary kincaid and alice carpenter , a pair of middle-aged bandits who were dover lifers and friends since high school , oh so many years ago .