Watchmaker, Hermux Tantamoq, fresh from his first adventure Time Stops For No Mouse is drawn into another intrigue when his artist friend, Mirrin Stentrills exhibition of cat paintings incites a riot. Cats are a taboo subject in Pinchester as Mirrins friend, chipmunk Birch Tentitrotter knows well - he was run out of town decades ago when he deciphered an ancient map of the Kingdom of Cats. Birchs return with another old scroll leads to a fast and thrilling adventure.