This topical novel exploring Australia's relationship to Indonesia takes place in Sumatra in November 2004- not long after the Bali and Denpasar bombings, and just before the Boxing Day tsunami. Troppo is a story about black magic, big waves and mad Aussie expats.
Set in Sumatra, it's told from the perspective of Penny, a young surfer who's landed a job managing a resort for the notorious Aussie Shane. Penny is drifting, partying, hanging out - a thousand miles away from claustrophobic Perth and her career-minded boyfriend. But things take a dangerous turn when Penny learns about Shane's reputation as a troublemaker. Caught up in the hostility directed at Shane, and flirting and surfing with the hell-man Matt, Penny soon finds herself swept into a world where two very different cultures will collide.