Weeks after the dead body of one woman is discovered in Rainbow Woods another is abducted. While searching for Billy the tramp, investigator Chris Honeysett discovers the abducted woman in a disused railway station. Barely alive, she was slowly and deliberately being starved by the murderer the police have dubbed 'Dr Atkins'. The 'Doctor' takes his revenge on Chris by abducting his close friend Alison. Now Chris has to follow a paperchase of historical riddles around Bath - each solved clue guaranteeing a little food for Alison. Chris must use all his wits, for the answers lie buried in the city's past.