The Bloodwood Clan

Josie is sent to Digger Town near Mudgee, New South Wales to conduct doctoral research. She knows it is a strange place with a strange history, that the people there use no modern technologies, wear nineteenth-century clothing, drive in a horse and cart, and make all their own produce, but she is not prepared for the encounter she has. First there are the tall stories that circulate from Mudgee, there are the town's arch enemies. The Banters and then there is Josie's daughter, Briony, and the enigmatic Madeline.Within the town she encounters Joshua the town historian, Gerrard who upholds the community's values, and Munna, one of the chosen ones. Josie also becomes friendly with Eliza, who at first seems to be obedient to the rule of the elders. But he two women witness a horrifying event of brutality which changes their lives forever.