[10] The introduction to the novel gives the following timeline of major events: Humans have colonized the Solar System with the help of self-replicating machines called Von Neumanns.

The story begins at the time of the early exploration of Saturn's moons (specifically Helene, in 2032) but the novel's main mystery unfolds on Ganymede after the Great War.

The main protagonist, Lola Belman, a futuristic psychiatrist, uses advanced sensors and psychoactive drugs to study patients.

There he meets Bat, an obese teenage genius, an older version of whom appears as a main character in Cold as Ice.

When one of Lola's patients complains of memories that couldn't possibly have happened to him, the three characters accidentally uncover a bizarre conspiracy.