This volume contains the first two books in the Thraxas Series - Thraxas, and Thraxas and the Warrior Monks. In the magical city of Turai, Thraxas ekes out a living as a private investigator. He lives in the poor part of town with a barbarian for a landlord and a female ex-gladiator to help him when the fighting gets rough. Thraxas once learned a little magic, but he's a hopeless sorcerer. On the other hand, he's brave, loyal to his clients, and he's a legend at the dining table. Thraxas can out-eat and out-drink anyone. When his investigations involve hostile sorcerers, sword-wielding thugs and murderous assassins, Thraxas knows the value of a flagon of ale and a good bowl of stew. The first Thraxas novel won the World Fantasy Award in 2000.