Fourteen-year-old Alex Rider, reluctant MI6 spy, is back at school trying to adapt to his new double life and to double homework, but MI6 have other plans for him. Investigations into the "accidental" deaths of two of the world's most powerful men have revealed just one link. Both have a son attending Point Blanc Academy - an exclusive school for rebellious rich kids, run by the sinister Dr Grief. Armed with only a false ID and a new collection of brilliantly disguised gadgets, Alex must infiltrate the academy as a pupil and establish the truth about what is really happening there.