Two years ago, the IRV Arran - a huge Arctic research ship - vanished without a trace, leaving behind distraught and confused families without answers. With the official search called off, a man called Sharif offers some of the family members a choice: They can contribute funds to a private search expedition and, if they do so, they can join the search in person.
The story focuses on Garret Reid, a wolf who lost his brother on the Arran as he travels to the frozen archipelago of Svalbard where the expedition is due to depart. He meets an eclectic and colourful cast of fellow family members of the lost Arran crew, each with their own reasons for participating.
What will they find out in the dark, frozen Arctic Ocean? Answers? Or perhaps, more than they ever wanted to know...