When a famous hedgehog is murdered, the killer is more than a little shady.

Dr. Aris Thorne and his assistant, Mia Rodriguez, are at the annual "Pocket Pet Palooza," a convention for small animal enthusiasts. The lively atmosphere turns deadly when "Spike," the beloved African pygmy hedgehog of a popular social media influencer, is found dead. The police believe it was a natural heart attack, but Aris's veterinary expertise and Mia's sharp eye for detail suggest foul play. Spike was poisoned, and his food bowl is missing.

Their investigation thrusts them into a strange world of obsessive collectors, online feuds, and a secret black market for rare animals. Suspects are plentiful: a rival breeder who publicly accused the influencer of faking his pet's health, a shadowy online group of "hedgehog purists" who despised his methods, and a disgruntled convention employee with a grudge.

With Aris's knowledge of animal behavior and Mia's social media savvy, they must work together to find the stolen pets, expose a criminal enterprise, and identify the killer before the trail goes cold.