Publisher's Synopsis
In the heart of the rugged Australian outback, Mary finds solace in owning a bar, a refuge from the haunting memories of her past. But tranquillity is a luxury she can scarcely afford. As she strives to carve out a new existence in this unforgiving land, she discovers that the town's inhabitants are bound together by more than just their shared isolation-they're haunted by fear, battling to endure both the harsh environment and the demons within.
Mary's dreams of her distant homeland seem lost until a glimmer of hope emerges-a gold strike that promises fortune and freedom. Yet, as the town empties in pursuit of riches, Mary's sanctuary teeters on the brink of collapse. Her son, William, joins the feverish frenzy of the gold rush, leaving her alone to confront the threat of her business failing and the haunting spectres of her past.
Meanwhile, across the ocean in London, Johnny grapples with a revelation that shatters the fragile peace of his existence. The weight of a devastating family secret and the lingering grief of loss propels him into a quest for truth and redemption. In the gritty streets of the East End, he endeavours to build a sanctuary for the downtrodden, unwittingly drawing the attention of the city's elite.
As Mary and Johnny navigate the treacherous waters of their respective worlds, they are entangled in a web of deception, betrayal, and intrigue. In a landscape where ghosts of the past collide with future aspirations, who will emerge unscathed, and who will succumb to the darkness that lurks beneath the surface?
