- Major Henry Scobie – Longtime police deputy commissioner and protagonist of the novel.
- Louise Scobie – Henry's devout Catholic wife.
- Catherine Scobie – Deceased daughter of Henry and Louise.
- Ali – Scobie's longtime African servant.
- Edward Wilson – New inspector who spies on Major Scobie and is in love with his wife, Louise.
- Harris – Wilson's housemate
- "Dicky" Pemberton – Inspector who commits suicide due to his large debt to Yusef.
- Helen Rolt – Newly arrived widow who becomes Scobie's mistress.
- Yusef – Syrian local black marketeer who blackmails Scobie after finding a letter in which he expresses his love for Helen.
- Tallit – Catholic Syrian, Yusef's chief competitor.
- Father Rank – Local Catholic priest.
- Father Clay – Catholic priest at Bamba who reads about saints.
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