Cirrus@Austlit

'After the death of his wife by his own failing, William flees the hardship of depression-era Sydney with his young daughter, Rosa.

'Battling his addictions and his sanity, William travels far south and finds work on a remote island whaling station. But when Rosa finds a small scrimshaw marionette doll under the wharf, a restless spirit awakens to puppeteer the living and drag them into the sea.

'Grappling with his sanity and reason, William must confront the truth of the past and put the restless marionette ghost to rest to save his daughter and himself...' (Publication summary)