In the 1990s, Julia Honeychurch moves to Canberra with her new husband Brian to take up a position at a school for troubled children. When the marriage sours, Julia learns that, in Canberra, it’s difficult to keep secrets. She’s fallen in love with Kate Selby, a university lecturer and consultant at Julia’s school. Kate and Julia’s clandestine meetings take her away from the family and arouse Brian’s suspicions. When twelve-year-old Rose Cavanaugh joins her special unit, Julia clashes with Rose’s abusive stepfather Lee over his treatment of Rose and Rose’s mother. Animosity spirals into dangerous territory, imperils Kate and Julia’s secret life, and brings a night of murder to the city.

In the 1990s, Julia Honeychurch moves to Canberra with her new husband Brian to take up a position at a school for troubled children. When the marriage sours, Julia learns that, in Canberra, it’s difficult to keep secrets. She’s fallen in love with Kate Selby, a university lecturer and consultant at Julia’s school. Kate and Julia’s clandestine meetings take her away from the family and arouse Brian’s suspicions. When twelve-year-old Rose Cavanaugh joins her special unit, Julia clashes with Rose’s abusive stepfather Lee over his treatment of Rose and Rose’s mother. Animosity spirals into dangerous territory, imperils Kate and Julia’s secret life, and brings a night of murder to the city.