It's January 1943. Australia is at war and Perth is buzzing.

US troops have arrived, in what local men refer to bitterly as the "American occupation", and Perth women are having the time of their lives. The Americans have money, accents like movie stars, good manners, and young women are throwing caution to the wind and pushing social boundaries.

The war has brought nothing but heartbreak for Meg Eaton, however, stealing her young love eighteen months ago. Until, that is, she meets her lost lover's brother, Tom – standing over a body in her neighbour's backyard.

Suddenly, Meg finds herself embroiled in the murder mystery, and increasingly involved with Tom Lagrange. But is he all that he seems? And what exactly was his relationship with the dead woman?