After a shipwreck along the California coast in the late 1880s, a child is presumed orphaned. She's given a name-Juliana Russell-and a home by the lighthouse keeper and his wife, Bernard and Faith Russell. The only clue to her identity is an enigmatic gold figurine she wore as a necklace. Years later, when another shipwreck brings two young men-James Dutton and Will McKenna-to the lighthouse, an attempt is made on Juliana's life. She flees to the anonymity of San Francisco, where she encounters James Dutton, the Dutton family, and Will McKenna. After a second attempt is made on her life, James' father offers her refuge in the family home. The house frightens Juliana. What happened to the beautiful, willful daughter of the first Dutton who built the mansion? Why does she feel as if Will McKenna-to whom she is attracted-is always watching her?
Events conspire to lead Juliana on a hunt for a treasure linked to the golden figurine she wore when rescued from the sea. From the coast of Ecuador to a forgotten valley high in the Andes, Juliana and her companions find someone ahead of them at every turn and an Italian thug-Marazzi, dogging their steps. Who's bankrolling Marazzi's travels? And why, when all return to San Francisco, is safety an illusion?