From the introduction: The time is a few years from now. The global economy is in turmoil. Trade conflicts, regional destabilization, war, and corruption have led to widespread poverty and food shortages. Cannibalism has quietly become commonplace -- just another way to feed the family. The wealthy don't need to eat people . . . but transgression has a peculiar allure. Of course, the rich don't eat the poor; that would be disgusting. Instead, the rich eat the famous.