Patrick Sumner, hoping to escape the horrors of his past, finds himself on an ill-fated journey to the arctic that throws him into the path of brutish harpooner Henry Drax.

Sumner's adventure turns into a nightmare when one of the crew is murdered. There's no proof, but Sumner can't escape a feeling that Henry Drax is the true culprit.

A discovery by Sumner sends Drax into a murderous rage. Cavendish proves crucial in Baxter and Brownlee's plan. An arctic storm rages and threatens the safety of the ship's crew.