Originally published: New York : Philomel Books, 2003.

Includes preview of upcoming novel, Eagle strike.

In the dark -- Match point -- Blood and strawberries -- The cribber -- Two weeks in the sun -- Not so special agents -- Death of a salesman -- Passport control -- Brotherhood Square --The Devil's chimney -- The crusher --The house of slaves -- Heartbeat -- The nuclear dustbin -- Security nightmare -- The end of the world -- After Alex.

Reluctant teenage-spy Alex Rider, on a routine mission at the Wimbledon tennis championships, gets caught up in Chinese gangs, illegal nuclear weapons, and the suspect plans of his Russian host, General Sarov.