In 1860, Charlotte Lockton has settled in the South Island of New Zealand with her wealthy husband, David. But her life's dreams are shattered when he's murdered on their farm and her baby son is kidnapped. A month after paying a ransom, frustrated with the apathy of the authorities and distrusting of her staff, she decides to track him down on her own. And so begins her journey through the wild untamed New Zealand, at the beginning of the gold Rush.

She joins a convoy of whores, ex cons and a Maori warrior heading for the rough mining community of Gold town. There she meets Joshua McCullen, the owner of the town, a man who is key to uncovering the truth behind the disappearance of her son, forcing her to fight to the death for what she holds most dear.