The story involves an Australian platoon in the Afghanistan war, forced to come home following the death of their leader. A murder mystery involving the now deceased Captain Ted Nordenfelt ensues.

Set over three summers at The Westival, a fictional West Australian rural folk festival redoubtable local radio personality ‘Queenie' describes as "Australia in a tent". Two young musicians fall in love against a wider collection of tales dealing with a microcosm of contemporary discussion points, including Indigenous, immigration and refugee issues.