In December 1918, traumatized ex-soldier Tom Sherbourne is hired as keeper to work alone for six months at a lighthouse on Janus Rock island, off Australia. On the mainland he meets joyful local girl Isabel Graysmark and they fall in love. After they marry Isabel moves to Janus Rock with Tom, now permanent in the job.

As time passes Isabel has two miscarriages. Just after her second loss Tom finds a rowboat drifted to shore with a dead man and a live baby girl aboard. Isabel persuades him to keep the baby as if she were their child, and he reluctantly agrees. Just before the baby’s baptism in town Tom sees local widow Hannah Roennfeldt praying in the churchyard and realises she is the child’s true mother. He writes her an anonymous note saying the missing girl is safe. A few years later when Hannah, daughter of local landowner Septimus Potts, is sent further proof that her child was found she has the influence to make sure there is a fuller investigation – and painful revelations result. Show less