From: Colfer Eoin (pronounced 'Owen', by the way)
Sent: The middle of the night
To: The World (above and below ground)
Subject: A message from Artemis Fowl's Official Biographer

Artemis Fowl. You've probably heard the name.

If Internet rumours are to be believed, he's responsible for every major crime of the century. If you haven't heard of young Artemis, then you're lucky. You'll sleep better not knowing that someone like him is out there. But if you must know, if curiosity is eating away at you, as it did at me, then let's start at the beginning . . .

In this, the story of Artemis's first encounter with the fairy People, you'll find out how he hatched a plot to restore his family's fortune. You'll read how he discovered a world below ground of armed and dangerous fairies, farting dwarfs and mind-blowing technology. And you'll learn how, by kidnapping Captain Holly Short of the Lower Elements Police, Artemis almost triggered a cross-species war.

Still with me? Well, strap in. adventures-you've never read anything quite like this . . .