[1] The book consists of three linked works: two short stories and a novella, though the author and critics have described it as a novel.

[2] It was first published in Australia by McPhee Gribble[3] and was shortlisted for the 1993 Miles Franklin Award.

[5] In the first short story "Recording Angel", a woman goes to a hospital to see a gravely ill friend.

[6] In the second short story "A Vigil", a man is forced to see the cremation of his girlfriend who suicided.

[6] In the novella that gives the name to the book, freelance writer Janet owns a terrace house in Melbourne.