After she moves to the Australian outback following her mother's death, fifteen-year-old Laura's friendship with a strange and beautiful dog helps her adjust to a new life with an unfamiliar father and unfriendly stepfamily.

Sent to stay with their uncle in a ship-like home called Drift House, twelve-year-old Susan and her two younger stepbrothers embark on an unexpected adventure involving duplicitous mermaids, pirates, and an attempt to stop time forever.

Teenage Gerald, who has spent years protecting his fragile half-sister from their abusive father, faces the prospect of one final confrontation before the problem can be solved.