The Kitsilano neighbourhood where the story takes place is close to the ocean on the west side of Vancouver. Zoning regulations prohibit the demolition of houses in the area, so almost every house has a basement suite and some houses are divided into three or four units. The spring and summer gardens are a riotous bloom of hydrangeas, rhododendrons, flowering pink cherry trees and magnolias. It’s always a terrific relief when the cold winter rain finally stops and the flowers take over again.