Watchmaker, Hermux Tantamoq, fresh from his first adventure (TIME STOPS FOR NO MOUSE), is drawn into another intrigue when his artist friend, Mirrin Stentrill's exhibition of cat paintings incites a riot. Cats are a taboo subject in Pinchester as Mirrin's friend, chipmunk Birch Tentintrotter knows well - he was run out of town decades ago when he deciphered an ancient map of the Kingdom of the Cats. Birch's return with another old scroll leads to a fast and thrilling adventure.