This uniquely titled novel is full of family mysteries, and the unburdening of long-held secrets. The main character, forty-eight year old Christopher Bright, appears to have the sort of life many want. He has been married for close to twenty-five years, has two adult children, and a solid reputation as an architect specialising in restoration. However, when his adoptive mother dies and he reads her journal, he discovers the identity of his birth father and this throws him into a personal crisis.

Diane, Christopher’s wife, isn’t as supportive as he expects, and he begins to question the foundation upon which their marriage is based. He takes leave from his work and his marriage and goes to stay at the beach at Coolum. It is here Faulkner’s writing really shines, as she describes the beauty of this landscape and the power of the sea to both harm and heal. Coolum is an important place in Christopher’s history – it was here he witnessed the death of his adoptive brother, and also nearly drowned himself, over forty years ago. He saw something that day that he has never told anyone.

At Coolum, Christopher reconnects with an old school friend and past girlfriend, Roberta. With Roberta, Chris has always felt free and unconstrained. He heads back to Brisbane with renewed fervour and a determination to uncover more about his past and his birth mother. However, his father is reluctant to give away any clues.

This novel poses important questions about how people (particularly men) define themselves through family history, marriages or relationships and work.