Abbie's brother Jim has been missing, presumed drowned on his way by boat to Australia, for nearly twenty years. The twin boys he left behind are almost men now. Their mother has always claimed that Jim is dead, but one of the twins, Amos, is certain that he is still alive and living in Australia. Amos leaves his mother, brother and Aunt Abbie behind to search for his father there and finally, finds him, albeit with a new name and a new family. At first Amos is incensed and resentful, but gradually father and son find a way of getting along. Amos decides to stay and make a life for himself in Australia. He and Jim set up a soon flourishing business building luxury hotels. Then, just as Amos feels contented at last, married to the girl of his dreams, a stranger walks into his life, and threatens to ruin all that he's strived for...Meanwhile, the contemporary storyline, follows Abbie's great great grandchildren, 15 year old Vicky and her older brother Matt. Matt is still on the run from his mother's sadistic ex-boyfriend, until Abbie hatches a plan to get him out of the mess he's in. But then their mum gets involved and tragedy strikes the family once more...

 

This book features in the following series: Troubled Waters, Troubled Waters Trilogy .

There are 176 pages in this book. This book was published 2004 by Hachette Children's Group .

Rosemary Hayes has written numerous books for children, many of which have been shortlisted for awards. She worked for Cambridge University Press and ran her own small educational publishing company, Anglia Young Books, specializing in curriculum-related historical fiction. She is currently a reader for a well known authors' advisory service and also runs creative writing workshops.