As Wild Chalklings threaten the American Isles and Rithmatists are humanity's only defense, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students learn the magical art that he would do anything to practice. A killer is on the loose. Joel is fascinated by the art of rithmatics, with its lines of power and ability to bring chalk drawings to life, but only a few have the gift and he is not one of them. When rithmatic students from Joel's school start disappearing, he is keen to investigate. Since he's not a rithmatist, Joel seems to be safe -- but others are dying. Can he find the killer before the killer realizes just what a threat Joel really is?