A Piece of Mind has two settings, one for each of the parallel and interacting plots.

Matt lives in Lorna Court, a neighborhood area of a larger town, probably in Australia or New Zealand, although the author does not give a precise location despite using specific place names such as Devil's Hill.

Since Matt and his friends have skateboards, money to buy candy, the freedom and safety to walk or ride their skateboards almost any place they want to go, and have working parents and nice homes, it is probably safe to assume that they live in a comfortable, middle class environment. Usage of a few words such as "telly" for television, "jumpers" for sweaters, "cubbyholes" for hideouts or playhouses, and "holiday" for vacation provides the only clear clues as to the actual setting.

The Cartharian spaceship provides the secondary setting in the novel. From the activities described...