a flamboyant party host is murdered in full view of a roomful of bridge players mr shaitana was famous as a flamboyant party host nevertheless he was a man of whom everybody was a little afraid so when he boasted to poirot that he considered murder an art form the detective had some reservations about accepting a party invitation to view shaitanas private collection indeed what began as an absorbing evening of bridge was to turn into a more dangerous game altogether when tiffany aching sets out to become a witch she faces ominous foes and gains unexpected allies as she confronts the queen of fairies and battles an ancient bodiless evil she is aided and most ably abetted by the sixinchhigh fightin stealin drinkin wee free menlaughoutloud humor and breathtaking action combine in the books that launched the unforgettable adventures of a determined young witch and her tiny but fierce blue friends