The Flame Trees of Thika

A horse trader and safari leader who arrives in Thika and becomes entangled with Lettice. His charm and ambitions introduce romance and tension into the estate, including gifting Elspeth a pony. His presence unsettles the existing social order as rivalries simmer among the settlers.

A restless socialite who elopes with Hereward and later engages in an affair with Ian Crawford. She hosts social events that draw the circle of settlers together and influences the dynamics of loyalty and affection on the estate. Her choices propel much of the personal drama among the adults.

Lettice’s partner, a rugged frontier figure whose temper and passions fuel conflicts with Roos and Sammy. He shoots at dangerous targets and endures a leopard attack during a hunt, illustrating the perilous environment of colonial life. His relationship with Lettice becomes a focal point of jealousy and rivalry.

Robin and Tilly’s educated daughter who is seen as know-it-all and is bullied at school. She runs away back to Thika after a New Year’s Eve incident, signaling a longing for belonging and adventure beyond the estate. Elspeth’s observations reveal the cultural tensions of colonial society.

The plantation owner who moves his family to Africa and later joins the army when war breaks out. His leadership and departure mark the shift from settler expansion to global conflict, as the family ultimately returns to Europe for the duration of the war.

A Boer big game hunter who becomes a key local figure, clashing with Sammy and aiding the Grants during dangerous moments. His presence adds an external, rugged influence to the estate’s dynamics and he is noted for saving Hereward during the leopard encounter.

Local worker whose act of violence against Kimon triggers a punitive response from the colonial authorities. He is stripped of property by the colonial administration, and the ensuing tension culminates in a curse, illustrating the precarious position of local labor under colonial rule.

Headman of the plantation and a shrewd local leader who navigates power dynamics, including arranging a curse against Njombo. His role highlights how local authority interacts with colonial structures and superstition in a frontier community.

The colonial administrator who enforces rule over the estate and enacts punitive measures, such as stripping Njombo of his property. He embodies the imperial authority that underpins life on the colonial frontier.

A newcomer to the area who appears during social events, signaling the broader outside influence entering the Thika community. His presence adds to the evolving social fabric of the frontier circle.