Readers are brought back in time to small-town Australia just after the Second World War in this mystery written in verse. Burruga is a working-class mining town, and most of the men were shipped off to fight in Asia during the war. While everyone seems to have no trouble in judging the failings of those around them, it is a tight-knit community where everyone knows everything about everyone else.

The town is shocked when Colleen, a local teen, is found dead at a local makeout location. Everyone starts looking at their neighbors with suspicions and old discrimination returns, whether it is division between rich and poor or those between those who fought on the front lines and those who didn't serve at all or took cozy assignments.

Herrick opted to tell the story from the perspective of nine differnt people in the community. They include:
*Colleen herself
*Eddie - a classmate and friend to Colleen who goes behind the scenes and tries to solve the mystery
*Larry - Eddie's older brother, who falls under suspicion because he was definitely drinking heavily the night Colleen disappeared
*Albert - Eddie and Larry's father who feels guilty that he was only a driver in the war and hopes his children will grow up to be more than just minors
*Mayor Paley - a well-to-do who was able to avoid service during the war. He claims to do everything he can for the town, but almost everyone looks down on him
*Sally - a local teen who has grown close to Eddie. They find their relationship developing to new levels
*Mr. Butcher - a teacher at the local school who works with the teens in town. He has a taste for driving into the city on the weekend to pay for some "young lovin'"
*Mr. Carter - the editor of the local newspaper
*Sgt. Grainger - the sole local police officer who seems overburdened by his new case

All of the characters come across with a high level of realism. Many of them have major faults, and a few of them are likely suspects because of these details. It is not easy for the reader to sort out who the real murderer is.

While the format means that sparse language is used, it does not prevent a complex tale being told as this town us bubbling underneath the surface with all sorts of unpleasantness. The tale really makes the reader question what really makes a person good or successful as it highlights the fact that appearances are often deceiving.

Sally and Eddie's relationship becomes quite complex and their romantic seems interestingly balance with the quick and flat scenes of Mr. Butcher with the prostitutes.

I really think that this story was pretty riveting, and I think that a lot of older teens and adults will be drawn into the story, well.