[1] The setting is a valley called the Sink, which is isolated and surrounded by forest.

The solitude is disturbed by a mysterious creature which kills livestock and exposes the hidden fears in everyone.

[2] As reviewed at LibraryThing the theme of the book is, "the way you can't escape the past.

[3] The Independent on Sunday wrote that, 'Tim Winton's raw and vibrant language makes the senses jump... concentrated, passionate, invigorating writing'.

The Washington Post calls the book, 'A major work by anyone's standards... mysterious, painful and beautiful'.