1899, Yukon Territory. Nettie Bridger's desperate journey to the goldfields of the frozen north has ended in tragedy. But Nettie won't believe it. Can't believe it. Her son is alive -- somehow -- somewhere -- and she won't stop hunting until she finds him. The valley has its monstrous guardians, and the miners have their secrets, and in this crucible of gore and gold the flickering flame of a mother's love is barely enough to melt the ice.