Victoria Holt

The narrative unfolds in the remote Australian opal mining community of Fallen Star Ridge, beginning with the funeral of Mrs. Rouminof (Marya), which leaves her daughter Sophie in the care of her irresponsible, opal-obsessed father, Paul. Michael Brady, a respected miner, is bound by a promise to Marya to protect Sophie. When Paul strikes opal, Michael intervenes to ensure a fair division, fearing Paul's exploitation.
Paul's plan to take Sophie to Sydney to pursue a singing career is thwarted when Michael secretly swaps Paul's valuable opals with his own less valuable ones after Charley Heathfield steals them, allowing Charley to escape with Michael's stones. This act, while fulfilling Michael's promise to keep Sophie on the Ridge, burdens him with a secret and a sense of alienation, despite the community's shock at Charley's betrayal of 'mateship'.
Michael later takes Charley's ostracized son, Potch, as his new mining partner. The story explores the community's unique social code, emphasizing mateship and economic freedom, contrasting it with external influences like the opal buyer John Armitage, who harbors suspicions about Michael regarding the past opal theft. Sophie, a talented singer, develops a romance with stockman Arthur Henty amidst the harsh Australian landscape, her singing symbolizing her potential future beyond the Ridge.
Driven by ambition, Sophie secretly leaves the Ridge for Sydney and then America to pursue her singing career, selling her opal necklace for funds. Michael and Potch are distressed, with Michael grappling with guilt over the hidden opals and his own moral failings. Potch and Michael later discover a significant opal 'knobby'. After a successful but ultimately dissatisfying career in New York, Sophie returns to Fallen Star Ridge, having lost her singing voice.
She reconnects with her father, Michael, and Potch, who deeply loves her, finding solace and a sense of belonging with him despite her past with John Armitage and Arthur Henty. She confronts her past relationships at a local race meeting and ball, hinting at unresolved feelings with Arthur. Sophie eventually marries Potch, committing to the community's values. A central conflict arises when John Armitage proposes to buy the mines, threatening the miners' independence.
Michael, blackmailed by Armitage with accusations of opal theft, steadfastly opposes the takeover. At a pivotal community meeting, Michael passionately argues against Armitage's capitalist vision, confessing to his past actions of swapping the opals to protect Paul and Sophie, and admitting a moment of weakness. The community vindicates Michael, reaffirming their trust and rejecting the corporate scheme.
A tragic subplot unfolds as Arthur Henty, after Sophie rejects his plea to leave with him, commits suicide. The community attends his funeral, reflecting on love, duty, and despair. Despite personal sorrow, Michael's vindication and the community's renewed unity and hope for their self-reliant way of life prevail.