The Ferns is a historical novel set in rural Australia in 1883. Jerrup is a small township west of Warrnambool in Southwest Victoria, where the Quinn family farm is situated.

When Eliza Quinn says her daughter is missing, the township of Jerrup is shocked. Eliza's husband discovers a bloodied fencepost and trampled ferns, and everyone assumes a body will be found. But there is no body, and all eyes turn to Duff McLure, the uneducated and unlikeable neighbour of the Quinns, to uncover the truth about what happened to twelve-year-old Katie.

McLure will hang for the murder of Katie, despite no body and his claim of innocence.

Katie tells her perspective, revealing how danger can hide in plain sight. There's a dark side to this place, marked by the history of the Quinns, the McLures, the family priest and the Aboriginal trackers, all of whom share a part in its shadowed past. In a story with twists and turns that dig to the core of family secrets, Katie carries the burden of knowing too much yet is unable to confide in anyone but McLure's son, her best friend William.

Burdened by the truth and overwhelmed with grief over his daughter's loss, John Quinn ultimately resorts to drastic measures.

The Ferns is a story of injustice, loyalty and love.