The year is 1799, a time when the kingdom is called Denmark-Norway and Oslo is called Christiana. Gertine's happy, well-ordered world is upended when her sister's wedding, only days away, is inexplicably called off by their mother, Mette. Inspired by a runestone she discovers in the woods, Gertine follows one family secret to another, uncovering the story of her mother's complicated past and so learning more about her own.