Cathy Downes

In a seemingly quiet country town the newest resident, Detective Inspector Mike Shepherd, finds that murder lurks in even the most homely location.

Nora is a single mother who wants to live the life of an artist, as do her friends -- a group of Melbourne writers, actors and musicians. But when she's drawn into a passionate affair with a heroin addict, Nora struggles to maintain control of her life.

When a womanizing bookshop owner hears about the suicide of a former girlfriend, he tries to find out more and meets her friend, a prostitute. They hook up, but when she finds her friend's diary, she discovers she's repeating her mistakes.

Follow the Bishop family through 40 years of Christmases from 1949 to 1989.

Frances and Dorian live through the last few weeks of their dysfunctional relationship.