In a city of sunshine and secrets, the shadows belong to the animals. One genetically-engineered raccoon races to expose a deadly conspiracy - before it tears his whole world apart. In a solar-powered future, humans live in luxury, served by unseen Little Helpers - artificially enhanced animals who maintain their perfect green cities. The animals' golden rule: 'Do Not Bother the Humans.' Yet beneath this tranquil facade, a complex underworld of animal politics, crime and conflict thrives. Enter Skotch, a freelance raccoon investigator. His biggest problem was a lack of work. Now his work may get him killed.

And his latest case? Finding a fugitive mouse scientist. But powerful forces are also after the mouse, and they're willing to kill for his secrets. Can Skotch navigate this treacherous web, outsmart rat gangsters, beat a deadly weasel assassin and keep his pelt intact? More importantly, can he find his quarry before the elusive rodent breaks Rule One in the most apocalyptic way - and shatters their fragile world. For those who loved John Scalzi's Starter Villain and Adrian Tchaikovsky's Service Model , this crime-inspired adventure will draw you deep into an incredible new world . Praise for Adrian Tchaikovsky 'One of the best storytellers in the business' - John Scalzi, author of Starter Villain 'Delightful and very funny' - New Scientist Children of Time won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Science Fiction Novel w/c 24 August 2016.