It all begins when a young Algerian woman, Thassa, arrives in Russell Stone's writing class. Her stories reveal a horrific past, but her presence sends spirits soaring. This glimpse of pure happiness in the most improbable of guises leaves Russell feeling as troubled as it does entranced. And he isn't alone: Thassa has caught the eye of Dr Kurton, a scientist in search of the 'happiness gene'. He sees in her the key to the breakthrough that will make his name and change history. But can the quality that makes her so valuable survive the ruthless glare of media attention?