Canongate was a colourful town in 1865 - convicts, a goldrush, marauding bushrangers - but nothing much happens now and there's nothing to do except hang around the Mall and get hassled by the cops. Nat Whistler can't wait to get out of the place. Then he discovers a thrilling link to the past: he's descended from the Whistler, who robbed banks and gold escorts with the notorious Captain Kydd and was shot dead by troopers at the age of 15. Nat digs deeper, finding disturbing parallels between his life and the Whistler's. And who is the mysterious Moondyne Kate, who could ride like the wind and whose voice sings from the past? The truth is dark and elusive. As Nat peels away the layers, his life takes a turn into danger.