Relaxing in the South of France reluctant MI6 agent Alex Rider is finally able to feel like any ordinary fourteen-year-old - until a sudden, ruthless attack on his hosts plunges him back into a world of violence and mystery. And this time, MI6 dont want to know. Alex is determined to track down his friends attackers, even if he must do it alone. But its a path that leads Relaxing in the South of France reluctant MI6 agent Alex Rider is finally able to feel like any ordinary fourteen-year-old - until a sudden, ruthless attack on his hosts plunges him back into a world of violence and mystery. And this time, MI6 dont want to know. Alex is determined to track down his friends attackers, even if he must do it alone. But its a path that leads to a long-buried secret - and a discovery more terrible than anything he could have imagined.