It's 1977, and Connie Fortune has an easy, freewheeling life as a wildlife photographer and illustrator.A new contract brings her to the Little Dip valley to track down a rare bird, but a clash with Sylvie Garoul, the valley's owner, and her daughter, the haughty Marie Garoul, ruins the deal.The following year Connie tries again. Marie Garoul is as cold as ever, but this time, things have changed. The residents of Lost Creek are up in arms about strange goings on in the valley, and Connie is unsure whose side she is on.