When a plane carrying American journalist Aidan Shaw crashes in Kashmir in 1949, his wife Joanna refuses to accept he is dead. Learning that a mysterious female reporter has vanished from the same area, and convinced her husband's disappearance is no accident, she enlists the help of his friend, Lawrence Malcolm, a member of Australia's secret service. In search of answers, they set off, bringing along as translator Kamla. Joanna saved Kamla from an Indian brothel - or flash house - but Kamla is wise in ways that elude Joanna, and soon it is unclear who is saving whom. Their journey through the northernmost reaches of India and over the treacherous Karakoram mountain passes is harrowing and heartbreaking. Suddenly, nothing is as it appears, and as one cruel revelation follows another, this unlikely band finds courage, strength, and unexpected passion in their midst. But will they be strong enough to endure the ultimate betrayal?