Snuff: (Discworld Novel 39) (Discworld series)

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Actually one of his more serious works, this still made me smile frequently and I liked it immensely. Aug 21, Kate O'Hanlon rated it liked it Shelves: Okay it's Pratchett, so the fact that it's good is a given. I think Pratchett has overmined the seam of 'oppressed species shows that they are as human as you or I'. I thought so when I read Unseen Academicals so to see him retread this ground again is a little disappointing. There is also some very clunky writing and a lot of characterization that seems very at odds with previous books.

I found it hard not to read without thinking constantly about Pratchett's illness and wonderi Okay it's Pratchett, so the fact that it's good is a given. I found it hard not to read without thinking constantly about Pratchett's illness and wondering how much it was effecting his writing. None of this is to say that Snuff was anything but an enjoyable read and if the best of Discworld has already been written I'm still happy to read the lesser additions.

View all 3 comments. You smile at little crimes and then big crimes blow your head off. There's still an awful lot of humour to contend with but Sam Vimes is up against a darkness blacker than he's ever experienced before, both in terms of the case he stumbles upon on his vacation and the internal struggle of a good man trying not to do bad things.

The fact that he is a famous detective only serves to highlight the noir qualities at hand. Young Sam is a growing boy and an essential part of any Sam Vimes story these days as is Lady Vimes of course and he meets his literary heroine in Miss Felicity Beedle whose book The World of Poo is now available for you and I to purchase. Goblins are the newest race of creature to be introduced to the Disc and provide a few new entertaining characters who I'm sure we'll be meeting again soon. My favourite however has to be Wilikins, the gentleman's gentleman, if ironing a shirt was a competition he'd no doubt ensure he won even if it required him to get up the previous morning and break the other participants fingers one by one.


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He's such a great character echoing the brilliant Kyril Bonfiglioli creation Jockstrap, that I think he deserves his own book, perhaps in the style of the "Vimes in his youth" story Night Watch? This is the best and most enjoyable Discworld book in quite some time, I think perhaps you have to go back to Thud! I said it about Nation and the same is true here, if this book had been written by somebody else, not synonymous with the fantasy genre, awards would be raining down upon the author.

Infact Pratchett has committed a double sin in writing in two of those "dirty genres" at the same time, crime and fantasy are not considered good sources of intelligent writing and I'll be the first to admit that both genres are filled with absolute acres of shit that you must wade through to find the real gems, but like the greats that have come before him people like Georges Simenon , Jim Thompson and David Goodis on their good days he is ignored as a talented writer of literature that dissects what it means to be human.

A triumph of a novel and a return to form after the disappointment of Unseen Academicals. View all 8 comments. Feb 11, Saga rated it liked it. Pratchett's latest induced a fair few laughs, but felt structurally weak, even a tad disjointed. While Vimes still upholds the position of one of my favorite Discworld characters ever, his role was a tad overdone in an almost superhuman-ish fashion, which makes it harder to identify with the rugged, stubborn cob character I originally fell in love with. The whole Goblin rights issue seemed also like an infirmer repetition of Unseen Academicals' acceptance of Orcs, topped with one of the most uni Pratchett's latest induced a fair few laughs, but felt structurally weak, even a tad disjointed.

The whole Goblin rights issue seemed also like an infirmer repetition of Unseen Academicals' acceptance of Orcs, topped with one of the most uninteresting villains I've seen in a while including the one in I Shall Wear Midnight. Stephen Briggs's audio book reading was excellent, however. It is a fortunate life, one where you grew up with Terry Pratchett as one of your fathers. Where, all the way back to a year-old you picking up Faust Eric , you got reminded that what makes you human or humane, if you decide to dump the speciesist lingo ; is your choices, not your origins. Where you're made to laugh at--and more importantly, with --the follies of thinking and acting of folks you've either encountered already or soon will.

Sometimes in the mirror, too. Where, when you sto It is a fortunate life, one where you grew up with Terry Pratchett as one of your fathers. Where, when you stop laughing, you're stirred to think what it takes to make those defining choices, in the face of unkindly odds, or foolish thinking and acting. Where, as both you and the books grow up, you're stirred to feel what those characters people go through.

For a writer who began as a wry parodist, making you feel is an astonishing feat. Snuff made me feel. It made me do all of the other things, too, but what will last longest just like in Nation is the feeling. The fear and helplessness of a people that has been denied rights--or, for that matter, recognition.

The anger building up inside Samuel Vimes at another injustice left to fester and foul us. D beauty of Tears of the Mushrooms' performance Any suggestions, Lord Vetinary, sir? And here's the brightest part: Pratchett aten't dead yet. And although we live in a world of flux, I believe he won't be for at least another generation of readers, or three.

Book review: ‘Snuff,’ a new Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett - The Washington Post

Avantasia probably put it best: Dreamers come and go But the dream's forever May 16, Richard rated it it was ok Shelves: This time the difference is that Vimes is on holiday in the countryside so becomes a fish out of water. The comedy felt forced in places, jokes which seem to have been done before or seem very similar to previous books. Vimes also felt a little forced in the way he acted whereas in previous novels it came off naturally and made for fun reading whereas here it was a little bit more eye-rolling.

The last couple of novels in this sub-series have really stood out whereas this is already fading into the vague mists of my old age memory bank. I reckon reading this one again would elicit completely different emotions but that is for future Richard to deal with. There are still plenty of untouched Discworld novels for me to go at though and I look forward to picking some of the other sub-series up.

If you like this try: Oct 13, Curt Hopkins Hopkins rated it it was amazing Shelves: Even battling early-onset Alzheimer's, Pratchet is as good as any 10 novelists fighting ennui and indigestion. The only other story that rivals it is the witches and I still prefer Commander Sam Vimes. The City Watch series is the best set of police procedurals ever written. The emotional realism and detail is beyond compare despite the fact that the aforementioned watch consists, in add Even battling early-onset Alzheimer's, Pratchet is as good as any 10 novelists fighting ennui and indigestion.

The emotional realism and detail is beyond compare despite the fact that the aforementioned watch consists, in addition to humans, of dwarves, trolls, golems, vampires, werewolves, a Nac Mac Feegle and at least one Igor. The way the series speaks to a contemporary reader on the subjects of fairness, violence, politics, power and poverty is augmented by the milieu and casts of characters.

There is, in a very real way, very little difference between law enforcement in London or New York and that in Ankh-Morpork. Immigrants, the rich, criminals and the very many people who actually work for a damned living make the story line, the series and this book just fucking great, in a way a great work of art that is loved and not merely appreciated always does. It is far from incidental that Sam Vimes is a good man, who actually actively wrestles with his consciousness, who is aware of the life he lives and what he means in it and who loves his wife.

The morality of Vimes is earned, and therefore never smug or contrived. Sam Vimes is one of those characters you wish you could meet and whose existence makes you wish to be better, braver, smarter, funnier, tougher and more moral. Jan 31, Marian Allen rated it it was ok. Every author has the right to produce the book he or she has inside. It doesn't have to meet reader expectations or desires.

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What disappoints one reader will delight another. The only responsibility a writer has is to the work. I can't argue with that. All I can say is, if the rating is based on whether or not I, me, myself liked the book, the answer is no. Is Pratchett's signature sideways humor almost totall Every author has the right to produce the book he or she has inside. Is Pratchett's signature sideways humor almost totally missing from this book, or am I so used to it, it doesn't strike me sideways anymore?

Is he writing perhaps understandably darker these days? I used to read Pratchett for escape. SNUFF is dark enough to be a news broadcast. Pratchett doesn't owe me a vacation. I'm not claiming that he does. This book might be your cup of tea. View all 5 comments. Snuff was the 8th and final novel in the Watch subseries of Discworld. His impressions of the country, having spent all his life in the city of Ankh-Morpork, are amusing, and naturally he manages to find a mystery to solve which leads to very little relaxation.

I enjoyed the book, but I had hoped it might be more of an ensemble story. This was mostly a Vimes story and there was very, very little page time given to the othe Snuff was the 8th and final novel in the Watch subseries of Discworld. This was mostly a Vimes story and there was very, very little page time given to the other members of the Watch or any of the other Ankh-Morpork characters.

It was still entertaining though, and it made a couple of boring flights seem to pass more quickly. Oct 14, Chris rated it it was amazing Shelves: Terry Pratchett is, perhaps, the world's best humanist. Terry Pratchett should also win the Nobel and Booker prizes, but odds are, he never will. But at least, the Queen as knighted him.

Snuff is Pratchett's latest novel, an installment in the Discworld, and features Sam Vimes, Pratchett's everyman copper hero and one of his alter-egos. Forced to go on vaccation at his wife's estate, Sam discovers there has been a murder. And any follower of the Discworld knows what that means. Snuff is more in the Terry Pratchett is, perhaps, the world's best humanist.

Snuff is more in the tradition of Small Gods and Night Watch. In other words, it is a more serious Discworld novel with the message heavily at the forefront. It is also a darker Discworld novel and far better than Small Gods. Like all Discworld works, Pratchett refers to other standards of literautre - Mr Pratchett, Sir Terry, I'm really sorry, but I do think some of what you write is literature - in particular Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park , but being Pratchett he puts his own twists on things.


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Oh, and besides the murder, Vimes calling him Sam just feels wrong has to deal with son, Young Sam, who is in the poo stage of life - and he really wants elephant poo because it goes dung. Pratchett's genius, his absolutely bloody genius, is his ability to deal not only in the commonplace but to make it's absurdities magical and to do so in such a way that as you are cracking up you are nodding your head.

In many ways, Pratchett's characters are the most refreshing normal characters you will ever meet, even if they include a werewolf and a hero who thinks he is a dwarf. They are human, with the possible exceptation of Nobby. Vimes, for instance, is a carinig husband and father, and it is so nice to see a police officer or any central character for that matter, have one. Sybil has a large support role, and it is always nice to see Sybil and Sam work together. It's true that the pacing is a little slow in the beginning and towards the end.

Yet in some ways, the story seems to call for that like say the ending of The Return of the King. Let me say, in this pre-presidential year, Ventarai for President. VP could be Vimes or Sybil. He is so efficient. This book is a fine journey, a look at humanity with a well loved author and the friends that he has gifted the world with.

If you haven't visited any of Pratchett's books, go and visit them now.

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I don't have enough money to start a real prize. Apr 21, Erastes rated it really liked it. You'd have to be a real Sam Vimes fan I think though to truly "get" the book and to enjoy it as much as I am, it's classic Vimes and it shines a light on him away from Ankh and his job there. I know he's been away before, to Uberwald--but he was on official business at the time and here he's acting under his own steam even though he's justifying it! D Willikins is brilliant, as is Sybil as ever and Young Sam is exactly how he should be--that one has a career as Ankh-Morpork's Sherlock in a few years - he's a copper to his boots and has a much more inquiring mind.

Vimes wants to know whodunnit, but Sam wants to know - yes, and what was the rope made of that helped dunnit? More when I've finished! Well, that was… interesting. There was so much to love: There is so much that is introduced and then left up in the air that all the way through I was expecting an explanation, and simply never got it. And I found the ending part to be—odd. Oct 27, Michael rated it really liked it Shelves: With the news of Terry Pratchett's declining health, it feels as if each new Discworld novel could be his last.

It also made you want to savor each entry a bit more. Unfortunately, the last couple of entries haven't been quite among Pratchett's best. Thankfully, Snuff is a return to form for Pratchett and while I hope we get more, if this is the last Discworld entry we get, it will be a solid, entertaining high note for the series to go out on. As I've said in other Pratchett reviews, Pratchett With the news of Terry Pratchett's declining health, it feels as if each new Discworld novel could be his last.

Lords and Ladies (Discworld #14) by Terry Pratchett 1/2

As I've said in other Pratchett reviews, Pratchett makes looking witty, funny and satirical look easy when he's on the top of his game. And he does that hear. The story of Sam Vines being forced to take a vacation to the countryside with his wife only to find a foul plot unfolding there is well done and keeps the story moving. Part of what makes it work is the constant running gag of how husbands have to defer to their wives on whether they enjoy consuming certain things like bacon, cigars and other products that may shorten the lifespan but are still eminently enjoyable.

Add in a bit of social commentary and you've got the makings of one of the better Discworld novels in recent memory. An enjoyable enough read, but not without it's problems: At times, it felt too pat. Vimes is too powerful, too famous, and just too glorious. It wasn't enough to be a Duke? And despite his street-gang portrayal in Thud! The ending is too happy, wrapped up in a bow. Vimes and Sybil get naked a few times never happened before, not even when begetting an heir and the Pride and Pr 3. Vimes and Sybil get naked a few times never happened before, not even when begetting an heir and the Pride and Prejudice scenes felt totally out of place, like a peg from a round-world hole.

Finally, I found myself a bit grossed out on the repeated focus on snot and poo. But quibbles aside, still a good read! Regarded as vermin, the cave dwellers are fair game in The Shires. Butcher them, stuff them, snare them, enslave them -- whatever you like. But Commander Vimes has a problem with that She wasn't vermin, and she pleaded not to die! When Vimes stumbles across this hideous but accepted practice he won't stop till he burns the house down. And his wife Sybil won't stop till she changes the world for goblins, one "note" at a time.

It's melodic, how Sam and Sybil work in harmony, with the ever-resourceful Willikins adding percussion. As we've seen in the entire series, Pratchett continues to weave a theme of tolerance for all species: As the book opens, the commander of the City Watch is forced to take a vacation. Thus, the Duke and Duchess of Ankh Sam and Sybil take 6-yr-old Sam to Crundells, otherwise known as Ramkin Hall, the seldom-visited country estate of the Ramkin family — complete with farms, tavern, smithy, trout stream, gallows hill, goblin caves, etc. While this bucolic location is appealing to Sybil, it's appalling to Sam.

But a nice long break could be good — Sam might finally learn the difference between a robin and a warbler. Certainly, he comes to enjoy spending time navigating along Old Treachery aboard The Wonderful Fanny. He even meets up with Wee Mad Arthur! Hoping for something interesting to do in the sleepy Shires, Vimes soon gets his wish. He uncovers a brooding evil bad bad stuff and is confronted by a raw police recruit named Constable Feenie Upshot, who takes orders from the local magistrates. Vimes immediately sets out to solve the case several intertwined crimes, actually with help from the amazing Willikins and a very young Constable Feenie.

He shows Feenie what it really means to be a copper, what the law is, and the nature of human — and nonhuman — rights. The young constable may be wet behind the ears, but he manages to impress and surprise old Vimes. There's plenty of action in the country, to Sam's surprise. He may be getting on in years, but this street fighter doesn't know that! Meanwhile, events in Ankh-Morpork move on a roughly parallel course, eventually intersecting with events in the Shires and in Howondaland, a foreign country to the south of Klatch.

Meanwhile, young Sam ponders the nature of poo. He's six, what else would he do? The beginning with Lord Vetinari and Drumknott didn't have the spirit of Pratchett's previous books, but felt rather like an info dump. Sometimes, I weary of Pratchett's brand of humor. Also, sometimes he gets a bit preachy or teachy, especially about justice, social equity, the law, and the price of bread. But I love his way with parody, punnery, and satire, in acceptable amounts. I posted a question quiz for this book some clues herein. I listened to the Audible version, narrated nicely by Stephen Briggs. Snuff is the latest and probably last addition to the City Watch series, a subset of The Discworld Series City Watch books listed below, in order.

Here are the Discworld books about the City Watch and its commander Sam Vimes, in order of publication: Also, there are some spin-off books on city modernization featuring con-man turned hero, Moist Von Lipvig, and a few characters from the City Watch. I recommend Going Postal which describes the invention and proliferation of postage stamps loved it and Making Money , depicting the creation of paper money to replace gold also very good. Finally, the last book Pratchett wrote for this series is Raising Steam , wherein Moist must make the newly invented locomotive serve Ankh-Morpork and beyond.

The Truth is not about Moist Von Lipvig, but it has some City Watch characters, including Lord Vetinari, even though it is not officially part of the City Watch series whatever that means. This book depicts the invention of a printing press and the subsequent introduction of widespread newspapers into society. Satire deals with the wholesale acceptance of lies when ink-validated.

William de Worde he-he is the city's first investigative journalist, sleuthing out possible murder and a plot to overthrow Lord Vetinari. Moving Pictures introduces the film industry Hollywood style to the eager citizens of Ankh-Morpork and surrounding suburbia. Gaspode the talking dog performs well in this one, with a few City Watch members showing up briefly.

This book does not feature Moist Von Lipvig. I just love the City Watch Series and the Moist spin-offs! View all 11 comments. Oct 24, Lightreads rated it liked it Shelves: Because sometimes he winds up and he pitches at some great evil, and I have to cover my eyes for a little bit. It thought it was sure, and Vimes carried the banner pretty damn well. But the shape of it, the rhetorical flourishes. It didn't own its own shit, not nearly enough. And it was uncomfortable. Still a really good book, and Sam Vimes still basically owns me.

And his kid is awesome. Oct 19, jersey rated it liked it Shelves: This book made me sad.

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Which isn't to say it's a bad book, or a sad book it is still reasonably funny - but it made me aware that this is the end of the road for Discworld, or getting very close to it. When he announced some years back that he had begun to suffer from Alzheimer's, I'm sure I wasn't along in dreading the day when the awesome books would stop, when we would have to say goodbye to Discworld.

The last book Unseen Academicals was not one of the strongest, but still pretty good. T This book made me sad. This one, though, feels like it was written by someone else- the tone is so different from the others. It feels like someone else wrote this based on his notes and under his supervision. Vimes, the main character, comes off as a parody of himself, and there is far more cursing and profanity in this one than in the previous 38 books 38!

To be clear, this is not a badly written book- far from it, and I think Discworld fans will still enjoy it, even though it's essentially a Sylvester Stallone movie starring Sam Vimes, but it's not the same as the others. I grew up with these books, started reading them when I was 10, and it's a bummer to realize that a cherished part of your life and a very influential one, at that- most of my writing is based on doing my best to rip him off, hahaha could be drawing to a close.

He is one of the authors that convinced me to read in the first place, and then later on, to write. Thank you for all you've done, Mr. Oct 24, Heidi Cullinan rated it it was amazing Shelves: Shortly after finishing this book, I took a nap, and as I drifted off I had the thought that if I ever met Sir Terry, I very probably would fall to my knees and start crying and other things that would embarrass us both.

The truth is, if we're lucky each of us finds a writer who speaks to our souls and makes our entire being and parts we didn't even know reverberate with something that to describe it as "joy" is a ridiculous understatement. If I were Sir Terry, I would probably describe it as a Shortly after finishing this book, I took a nap, and as I drifted off I had the thought that if I ever met Sir Terry, I very probably would fall to my knees and start crying and other things that would embarrass us both.

If I were Sir Terry, I would probably describe it as a twang and surround it with descriptors both profound and giggle-inducing at once. Because that, in essence, is Sir Terry Pratchett, may the gods bless his soul. I've said before and will hold Snuff up as further evidence that Pratchett is the Shakespeare of our time, borrowing from here there and everywhere, pinning human nature to the wall and freeing it at once, and never letting a pun go by without a quick flirt and a kiss.

Probably this book is best read after having digested the other Vimes books, but maybe not. Thankfully, I'm so versed in Watch books I forget which bit happened in what book because they're just all part of my internal memory now, real people in a real place doing real things. Snuff reminded me of Thud! I think I prefer Snuff only slightly and because of the Goblins. Leave it to Pratchett to emotionally align you with people who smell like latrines and to once again reveal humans to be both wonderful and hideous at the same time. Perhaps my favorite part of this book, though, was that unlike every book Sir Terry has published since his diagnosis of Alzheimer's, it didn't feel like a goodbye.

It was just another Vimes book, as brilliantly done as any other. And by god, I hope any idiot prattering yet again about "I can tell he's sick" gets a visit from Wilikins and his comb. I did get tears, sap that I am. Yes, I know that my very favorite writer in the world who has taught me more about writing and story and life than anyone alive or dead, is ill. But like Granny, he aen't dead, and I wish people would quit trying to pluck around him like vultures and diagnose where his disease is getting into his art.

Fucking hell -- we are all sick in some way or another, and yes, everything we are and were and shall be influences in our art. That's why they fucking call it art. We take pain and turn it into beauty and stuff that lasts. Sir Terry, every word you write fills my heart with joy. Selfishly I hope you are able to write many, many more books before Granny holds the door open for you and Death takes you on a walk across the sand.

But mostly I hope you are happy and full of the wonder your books give us as much as possible. And I hope you get your wish to meet your end on your terms and not that of your disease. May Anoia keep your drawers sliding freely, and may all your bacon sandwiches be without avec. Dec 27, Emily rated it it was ok Shelves: I'm a huge fan of the Discworld and the City Watch books in particular but I didn't care for Snuff as much as I could have -- or should have. Down in my gut I feel Commander Sam Vimes has had a great run but now he's so over-powerful, so unbeatable, and full of so many powerful allies Vetinari, Lady Sybil, his unstoppable assassin-butler, the demon who lives in his head, every City Watch post ever, etc he's no longer much of a joy to read.

He has no challenge. He has no mountain to climb. The I'm a huge fan of the Discworld and the City Watch books in particular but I didn't care for Snuff as much as I could have -- or should have. Too much was going on and not enough was going on that had focus. But it didn't have the feeling of freeing an oppressed people like, say, Feet of Clay did, even though it was, at its core, the same story.

I would have been happier, perhaps with two books: Or something to that effect. Much like Unseen Academicals, Snuff is a long way from being unreadable but I had to force myself to finish it. It didn't grab me the same way Discworld books normally do. It's no "The Times" or "Going Postal. I adore the Feegles and having one who isn't Rob Anybody's crew is always good.

Here's hoping PTerry still has a few books left in him -- and if they are City Watch books, they star Carrot and Angua and Cheery and the crew. View all 4 comments. Aug 04, Kathleen rated it it was amazing Shelves: Lady Sybil has decided that Young Sam, now an inquisitive six-year-old, needs some fresh country air and healthy outdoor recreation at Ramkin Hall, the family's country estate.

It's the last thing that Vimes wants: But Lady Sybil has a way of getting her way, which is how Vimes finds himself rambling around his estate and stopping in at the Goblin's Head for a non-alcoholic pint. Goblin's Head - the quaint country pub with little windows of wavery glass and Vimes is still not comfortable with his status as the estate owner, and it is obvious that the local blacksmith isn't either.

Mutterings and meaningful glares start his copper senses tingling and he realizes there's much more going on than a little working-class discontent. By the next morning the blacksmith is missing, the hillside where Vimes agreed to meet him at midnight is covered in blood, and Vimes finds himself under suspicion of murder. In my opinion Sir Terry Pratchett can do no wrong, and I know that his fans the world over will delight in this 39th novel in the Discworld saga. Wry humor, quirky unforgettable characters, and a plot that hurls itself down the Old Treachery River with the speed of a two-cow barge.

Okay, so maybe faster than that. Readers will come away even more in love with the dogged determination and conflicted soul of the City Watch's most dedicated policeman. Advanced Reader eGalley from the publisher keywords: Discworld, goblins, crime, comedy I didn't not enjoy Snuff , but I wonder if perhaps this will be the last Discworld novel I read.

I've been reading Pratchett's work when I was eight years old and was first given a copy of Witches Abroad , and have long loved them for how smart they are; for the layers of meaning and historical allusions and the carefully crafted, intricate plots that were always, at their core, about what it is to be human. Snuff read like an average fanfic—a good attempt at the old Pratchett voice, but missing t I didn't not enjoy Snuff , but I wonder if perhaps this will be the last Discworld novel I read.

Snuff read like an average fanfic—a good attempt at the old Pratchett voice, but missing that flair, that fierce intelligence, those turns of phrase that catch you by surprise and make you laugh out loud. They enter into pitch-black darkness, and Vimes realises he can see perfectly in the darkness, a skill rewarded to him by the Summoning Dark a demon that briefly possessed him in the novel Thud!

It is implied that the 'dark' and Vimes now have a mutual respect. In the cave he meets with the goblin chief who leads him to a goblin's corpse, the same goblin that was killed on Hangman Hill. Vimes ventures further in the cave in search of the blacksmith, but he instead finds Miss Beedle, who spends her spare time here in the cave teaching goblin girls how to read and communicate with humans.

Upshot and Vimes then pay a visit to Mr Flutter; he is known as the 'local trouble' and seems to connected with most crimes in the area. They capture Flutter, but he is unwilling to say much. Vimes then notices a cellar in his house and enters it; surrounded by darkness he is able to communicate to the Summoning Dark. From the Summoning Dark, who represents all darkness, he is able to get a witness account of what happened on Hangman Hill the other night and relays this to Flutter, who then tells Vimes that he protested against the killing of the goblin-girl, and whose murderer was a Mr Stratford, a man working for Rust.

In a series of scenes taking place back at the Ankh-Morpork City Watch as well as in the country-side, Vimes discovers that goblins are being used in slave labour on tobacco plantations in Howondaland. He also finds out that three years ago, large numbers of goblins were taken from their caves to work at the plantation. In this incident, many goblins were killed, abused and starved to death. Wee Mad Arthur of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch flies to Howondaland to investigate and finds the plantation, where all the goblin workers are dying or already dead.

He notices many huts lining the plantation and in them he finds more corpses and dying goblins. Vimes and Upshot hear that more goblins have been taken and are now currently on their way to the plantation by river on the paddleboat The Wonderful Fanny. Vimes and Upshot secretly board the boat just as a thunder storm arrives, making the night pitch-black and the river laden with debris and deadly.

A battle ensues between Vimes and Stratford and as Stratford is knocked out and tied up. The captain of the boat loses track of the riverbends and panics. Vimes ability to see in the dark allows him to guide the boat to safety, and for this he is awarded the title 'King of the River'. Vimes, with the help of Stinky, frees the goblins who are trapped in the cargo holds. Vimes is knocked unconscious in the storm and wakes to find himself and the boat in Quirm, everyone has survived the night. Vimes quickly discovers that the goblins, along with Stratford, have already boarded the next boat to Howondaland.

Vimes boards the boat and arrests the Captain and frees all the goblins once and for all, but Stratford is not on board. Vimes returns to his family in Ramkin Hall and together they travel to Quirm on the pleasure boat Roberta E. Stratford attempts to attack Vimes's son and is defeated by Vimes and handed over to the Quirm police, to be returned to Ankh-Morpork for trial.

Book review: ‘Snuff,’ a new Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett

On the way the prison coach crashes, Stratford escapes and kills a guard. He is then met on the road by Willikins—who had followed the coach—and killed. The aim of the concert is to showcase the musical talent of one of the goblin girls taught by Miss Beedle. The dignitaries are so moved by the display they agree to enact laws which will grant goblins the same rights as other sapient creatures and protection under the law. In a review for The Guardian , A. Byatt noted that the book connected two different meanings of Snuff "an old-fashioned stimulant to be kept in elegant boxes and snorted gracefully in society" and "arbitrary and unpleasant deaths ".

Byatt also noted the "great deal of interest in bodily fluids, excretions and excrement" in the book. At the end of the review, Byatt called Pratchett a master storyteller, and said he was endlessly inventive. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.