About Tempo 4: Shadows in Jade

The Tempo series follows a group of friends and lovers who remain linked from youth throughout their lives, their relationships tested by the dramatic events of the 1930s to 1970s. The stories are narrated by four of the characters as they negotiate their own passions, hopes and sorrows, their perspectives entangled with each other to create a mosaic of the times. Shadows in Jade takes place between 1966 and 1970, and is set in Vietnam, Australia, France and the Netherlands.

Growing up — and growing wiser — in Australia's turbulent Vietnam era. Young Jen just cares about shoes (Mary Quant), dresses (mini) and music (Beatles) — until her elusive friend Asher takes her to an anti-war demo. In distant France, jazz singer Vivy dislikes everything about Vietnam, but starts to reconsider after scientist Brian gives her a tiny golden fossil.

Reporter Claire takes a one-way ticket to Saigon and meets enigmatic André. He becomes her guide through the surreal propaganda war: although it’s safer not to ask where André’s loyalties lie. Conscript Leo would rather be surfing, but his new job is to win Vietnamese hearts and minds. Sadly, where Claire is concerned his heart and mind need to catch up, although Rusty the dog helps.

But when the shadows of loss and despair and violence begin to overwhelm, how does anyone recover?

The first volume of the Tempo trilogy is Testing the Limits, which is set in Australia, Britain and Europe in the years 1929 to 1936. The second is Embers at Midnight, which is set in Britain, Asia and Australia in the years 1937 to 1945. The third is Harbour of Secrets, set in Australia in the late 1940s and 1950s.