Ned returns to the town of Plum Creek in search of his father only to find that he has left town and no one knows where he went or when he is due to return. Ned also finds that the town has become lawless under the hands of Verlon and Big Emma. They terrorize everyone in town to the point where most of the good people have left and those that remain are under their control. Ned sets about to make Verlon repay for what he's done to the people of Plum Creek.
—Larry Nolen