Lottie Fairchild has two history and, well, history. She's fascinated by the legends of love and curses handed down through her family.

Owner of a little antique shop in small country town Banalla, Lottie is on the committee that is about to launch a new festival celebrating local history, including gentleman bushranger Jack McNally.

Altogether, Lottie feels happy. Mostly. But when festival guest speaker Professor Damian Loxley roars into town a week early, Lottie is caught off guard.

As a professor of history and an author, Damian arrives keen to research Jack McNally and a historic cold the mysterious disappearance of a colonial lady - in essence the search for a needle in a haystack. Then he meets Lottie Fairchild ... the perfect local guide.

Little do they realise what danger can come with treasures and truths. But least of all do they know that the hardest jewel to grasp is happiness itself ...