From the 1860s to the turn of the century, THE TOUCH tells the story of Alexander Kinross, who flees Scotland to make his fortune in the goldfields of Australia and America. When he sends one thousand pounds home to Scotland for a bride, his cousin Elizabeth is despatched by sea, although it is her sister Jean whom he wanted. In Sydney, she finds Alexander handsome, devilish, rich, and determined to get richer. He marries her and takes her home across the wild and barren countryside to his great house. What he does not tell her is that he made his first fortune in the California gold rush - and fell in love with the only woman he will ever truly love. With a rich cast of characters, McCullough's latest novel is a story of love and passion set against the harsh and brutal world of emerging modern Australia.