Bookshelf
                           By Sue

Feet of Clay - Terry Pratchett / Gollancz hard back œ15.99

Feet of Clay, the latest in the Discworld series, is a much darker
tale than usual, though still hilarious in many places. Once
again, the heroic men (and werewolf) of the Watch take to the
streets, keeping them safe and solving crimes. The main crime this
time is - murder! Very early into the book, two old men are
murdered, one a priest and one the curator of the Dwarf Bread
Museum, killed with one of his own display loaves of battle bread.

Then the Patrician is taken ill; a bit of investigation shows that
he is being poisoned but by whom? And why?  Meanwhile Samuel Vimes
isn't the only member of the Watch getting used to being a member
of the aristocracy - it turns out that Nobby Nobbs also has a
claim to the nobility. This is even more surprising when you think
what a tenuous grasp he has on just being a member of the human
race! How will the posh member of Ankh-Morpork take to him joining
their ranks because, of course, in Nobby's case, "rank" takes on a
whole new meaning.  There are more complications in the form of
the golems. Hitherto largely neglected in the series, they play an
important part in the story as they already do, it turns out, in
Ankh-Morpork - they don't speak, don't need food, rest or drink,
and can do the work of many men, powered only by the words inside
their heads. What is the significance of their holy days, however?
And why have they started committing suicide?

Feet of Clay is another excellent Pratchett novel, introducing
several new characters to go with the old favourites. I especially
liked the new dwarf recruit Cheery Littlebottom who gradually
'changes' as the story evolves, amusing me as much as it mystified
Vimes. Another new character is Mad Wee Arthur who gives Death of
Rats quite a bit of overtime as he makes his way through the
sewers, nutting rats!

What else can I say? It's Terry Pratchett! Read it!

                              - o -