Light Thickens, part one of the trilogy, establishes the conflict between grad student Kate Sanger, a skilled teller of tall tales, and Kurt Daron, a dangerous derelict with technology from the future. After Kate rescues a smuggled Australian koala in Istanbul, she discovers the smuggler wants it back.  Then she is confronted by the smuggler’s pursuer, Daron, who wants something else altogether. Confused by Kate’s slight-of-hand, Daron thinks he can force Kate to reveal the secret of time travel by threatening her with death. Kate thinks the only way to stay alive is to act as if she knows that secret.