Minoo's parents emigrated from Iran to the United States with hopes of living the American dream, but when Minoo goes to college she finds herself emotionally drawn to the country her parents abandoned. She meets the activist Darius and becomes part of the expatriate student movement working to overthrow the Iranian government. During the revolution of 1979, she and Darius return to Tehran to push for democratic reform. But their political views stand in opposition to Ayatollah Khomeini's vision for an Islamic republic.
As their friends fall victim to the new regime, Minoo and Darius face a critical decision: to remain in Iran and risk imprisonment and death, or to flee. The choices Minoo makes will haunt her for nearly two decades, until her daughter Zarah begins to unravel the secrets Minoo has kept. Inspired by a true story, "Crows in the Nightingale's Tree" is a passionate tale of love and politics set against one of the most powerful religious movements of our time.