Tools of War, a mystery story inspired by actual events, takes place in World War 2 in Melbourne, Australia. Anne Preston, a naïve teenager employed in a laboratory that is critical to the production of tools of war, becomes embroiled in the espionage and intrigue which successfully sabotages this branch of the war effort.

Closely associated with members of the then-illegal Communist Party, she is compelled to confront opposing beliefs and ideals and to ask questions rarely contemplated by previous generations of young Australians.

Anne's story is linked to factual news items that give insight into some forms of fundamentalism and their relationship to current world affairs.