After David Holst disappears on a tramping trip, his wife Jo and their son Matt move from Christchurch to Wellington. Grieving and alone they find new friendships among their neighbours: Mr and Mrs Kahler, elderly German immigrants, Cambodians Hok and Sokha who run a Chinese restaurant, and the reclusive musician Thomas.
But Jo comes to realise that she and Matt are not alone in experiencing loss, and it motivates her subsequent actions on behalf of her new friends. Matters come to a head when racism rears its head in the community, but through an unexpected death Jo finally comes to terms with her grief for David.
This beautifully written and evocative novel is a splendid follow-up to Jansen's 'Spirit Writing'.
