Is someone or something trying to drive Jessica Pearce insane? Could it be the hereditary factor of insanity in her family tree? Is it Simon, her doctor husband? Or is something darker and more sinister happening to her on Norfolk Island? Jessica Pearce is a successful Perth barrister, until she suffers an emotional breakdown three weeks after the death of her son. In an attempt to heal Jessica and her husband, Simon moves to Norfolk Island for a six month break away from their hectic worlds. Jessica, immersed in her misery, is touched by Sarah, a land-locked spirit, tied to Norfolk Island and unable to leave or rest. Sarah sees Jessica as the one to set her free from her spiritual bonds. Slowly Sarah's story of her brutal death in the times of colonial settlement unravels. the already strained marriage of Jessica and Simon is threatened by the mutual attraction between Jessica and Marcus Hunter, a former psychologist and a native Norfolker who teaches South Pacific history at Auckland University. the marriage is further threatened by Sue Levinski, a nurse who sees the difficulties Simon and Jessica are encountering as a perfect opportunity to perfect her life, being the partner of a successful doctor. With the breakup of Jessica and Simon's marriage, she and Marcus turn to solving the mystery of her haunting. Who is Sarah? What has she done?