1940’s South Africa.
The innocence of childhood in an adult world of prohibition, superstition, African witchcraft, divination, abduction, ritual murder and police detection.
Seven year old Maudie, kidnapped because she knows more about the ritual murders than police detectives do.
Her brother, nine year old Tadpole, the only one who can rescue his baby sister.
Their Zulu playmate, eight year old Amos, in a fight to the death with a python.
Hobo, the crazy mutt who pulls the children’s box-cart.
A J Freyer, ‘Abe’, Maudie and Tadpole’s father, who warns the children to stay away from the Foster Caves.
Sampson, the family’s Zulu housekeeper and the children’s substitute mother who tells them sorcerers make themselves invisible.
Mr Sunshine, the suave African salesman, who lugs a suitcase large enough to stuff a child inside.
Old Joseph, seventy one year old seaman of square rigger days, despatch rider in WWI, who discusses philosophy with the children.
Graham and Louis, twelve year old twins, cousins of Maudie and Tadpole, who burn down the school hostel.
Isanusi, the African sangoma who throws the bones for Maudie and Tadpole and foretells of bad things to come.
Mr de Beer, ‘The Bear’, who pops prescription pills to subdue a medical problem.
And The Giraffe Man, the African sorcerer who kidnaps Maudie because she knows too much.