AustLit

'Oxana Yablonska, a Brisbane accountant, reports the disappearance of her old-school friend Anna Bauwens. She also asks Dr Mark Altree to help in the search because Anna had often spoken of Altree, a close friend of Anna’s parents. Not having seen Anna for more than thirty years, Altree has no leads and is a reluctant investigator. He gradually develops an illuminating portrait of Anna and her complex life. After Altree learns of her alcohol addiction, episodes of sexual abuse and likely mental anguish he becomes engaged in a desperate race to find the woman he barely knew as a teenager.' (Publication summary)