In Australia, a retired police inspector is called to duty to solve the murder case of a young woman whose partially-burned body has been found on the beach.

Two seemingly separate stories in New South Wales: the burned, murdered body of a young woman is found on the beach and a retired inspector makes inquiries; also, Linda, a waitress and ferry attendant, has several lovers and marries one but continues to see the others. The police have a suspect in the murder, but the retired inspector is convinced that they're wrong; he continues a methodical investigation. Linda and her husband separate, and there are complications. Will the stories cross--or are they already twisted together?—<[email protected]>