Mr. Shaitana is famous as a flamboyant party host. When he boasts to Hercule Poirot that he considers murder an art form, the detective has some reservations about accepting a party invitation to view Shaitana’s 'private collection.' Three of the other players turn out to be Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard; Mrs. Ariadne Oliver, famed writer of detective stories; Col. Race of His Majesty's Secret Service. The four guests they are playing against have each gotten away with murder! But before the first rubber was completed, the host was dead-- and the evening turns into a much more dangerous game. -- adapted from back cover and Goodreads info