Escaping the Russian Revolution of 1918, several thousand emigres travel on Allied ships to a remote, uninhabited island on Canada's northwest coast to begin a new life. Despite many hardships and setbacks, the beleaguered but intrepid pioneers celebrate their first Christmas on the island, pledging to create a new community through hard work and spiritual enlightenment, honoring the rich cultural heritage of their homeland.Seventy-six years later, Steven Sanderson, a hard-working farmer, unearths a trunk filled with precious artifacts and a cryptic diary, unknowingly setting in motion a series of events that will reveal long-buried secrets about the island's founding. Monique Bellegarde, a beautiful music teacher and former concert pianist from Toronto, takes a position at the island's prestigious conservatory while recovering from an accident and trying to rebuild her life. Alex Somova, an elderly tour guide and one of the island's original settlers, spearheads a movement to preserve the island's special way of life that is threatened by a mining company.In this richly-layered historical mystery, several lives intersect on a remote and beautiful island, bringing past and present together in unexpected ways. Set against the backdrop of both the Russian Revolution and modern-day threats to paradise, Christmas Island weaves together themes of identity, belonging, and the power of music to preserve cultural heritage across generations.