The third book in the trilogy finds the Ankh-Morpork
City Watch on the up and expanding, mainly through recruitment from the ethnic
minorities, with dwarfs like Cheery Littlebottom, trolls like Detritus, and
even Downspout the gargoyle, joining the familiar corps of Vimes, Carrot, Colon
and ‘Nobby’ Nobbs.
Commander Vimes is called in by the
Patrician (the de facto civic leader who maintains order, and his position,
through skilful balancing of the vested interests of the Guilds and the Nobility).
Lord Vetinari is unwell and foul play is suspected; but how is the poison being
administered and by whom?
Captain Carrot is more concerned with the
rash of Golem related incidents; the clay-baked, mute giants are running amok,
self-destructing, and most strangely, producing anguish-induced graffiti.
Meanwhile Sergeant Colon is eyeing up
retirement and Corporal Nobbs’ hard to credit genealogy attracts the attention
of a cabal seeking to restore the monarchy. What they need is an easily
manipulated figurehead and Nobby fits the bill.
Investigating and plotting proceed haphazardly
in typical Discworld fashion, in strange locations with bizarre characters whose
motivations and machinations however would be recognisable in any universe.
With the usual wit and invention the strands
come together to conclude matters and also bring to the end an enjoyable
trilogy.
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