She's smart, she's nosy, she's versatile - but young Australian journalist Annie Bryce doesn't bargain on becoming part of the story. That's what happens when the shadows of Australia's part in World War Two suddenly darken her life.

It's the whale research on the Pacific coast that triggers the mystery: the tight-lipped young English scientist, and the Australian soldier dead in World War Two. Why do they have the same name? Why is there such a striking resemblance between the young Englishman and the image of the solider in the old photograph? How could these two men, separated by continents and decades, life and death, be connected?

Annie's investigations plunge her into a world of secrets and vengeance - and more strife than she can handle.

Print edition: ISBN 1921-118-105

E-book edition: http://smashwords.com/b/114623

 

ON LOCATION FOR LOOSE ENDS

From May to October each year humpback whales migrate from Antarctica along the Queensland coast to breed in the warm northern waters, and then return with their calves. Their migration is a magnet for locals, tourists - and researchers. One of these research projects was the trigger for Loose Ends, when young volunteers from all over the world arrived at Pat's local beach to trade their skills for bed, board and fun.

Always on the lookout for adventure, Pat checked out the project and then, armed with her laptop, she arranged a mid-winter houseswop in England aiming for the seclusion all writers need. Thus the story travelled to England and Wales with her and shared some of her experiences there.

Like many authors before her, Pat found the experience of writing a first novel full of surprises, as the characters emerged to elbow her aside and make the story their own.