Following his uncle's mysterious death, Alex Rider embarks on a quest to find answers; Alex comes to realize that his uncle wasn't the man he thought he was and that he himself is expected to follow in his footsteps.

Still reeling from the revelation that his uncle was a government spy, Alex is kidnapped and interrogated by paramilitary agents.

Alex strives to perfect his cover identity but risks alienating his friend, Tom, by keeping the mission a secret.

As his undercover investigation gets underway, Alex discovers he's in a vulnerable position; the Department seem to be closing in on the double agent in its ranks, but the killer, Yassen, gets there first.

Alex is appalled to realize that the Point Blanc students are being mysteriously changed by Doctor Greif, Alex enlists Kyra and James in an escape plan; Blunt spearheads an investigation into Parker Roscoe.

As Tom lands in the crosshairs of the conspiracy behind Ian Rider's murder, Alex and Kyra find evidence of Dr. Greif's secret plan.