“Thud” is thirty-fourth novel in Terry Pratchett’s hugely popular Discworld series, was first published in 2005 and is the seventh to focus on Sam Vimes and Ankh-Morpork’s City Watch.

Sam is the Commander of the City Guard, and – having married Lady Ramkin – a member of the nobility. He’s also recently become a father and has made reading “Where’s My Cow” to his son every evening at six o’clock his top priority. Despite being a devoted father, however, he mightn’t necessarily be considered a typical hero : he doesn’t like Assassins (they keep trying to kill him), Kings (it’s an old family traditions : even in chess, he supports the pawns) and the Undead (particularly vampires).

For the most part, Ankh-Morpork’s ethnic groupings are already well-represented in the Watch. Sam’s most capable officer is Captain Carrot – who was born human, although raised as a dwarf. Carrot is an incredibly innocent and very honest character and is widely believed to be Ankh-Morpork’s rightful King. (Sam has – to date – refrained from beheading him). Carrot’s girlfriend, Angua, is also a member of the City Guard – though, being a werewolf, she also shares Sam’s misgivings about vampires. Sergeant Detritus, a troll who deals roughly with troll drug-dealers, seems a natural – not to mention likable – cop, though Sergeant Colon and Corporal Nobbs (a confirmed slacker and probably human) are the most experienced officers. Cheery Littlebottom is an ex-alchemist dwarf, who more or less founded forensics department. (Cheery left the Guild of Alchemists after, accidentally, blowing up the Guild Council). However, for the first time, “Thud” sees a vampire apply to join the Watch. The vampire in question, Sally von Humpeding, is fortunately a Black Ribboner – meaning she abstains from drinking blood. However, her presence naturally makes a few people uncomfortable – most notably Sam and Angua.

The Battle of Koom Valley was fought many years ago between trolls and dwarves and is quite possibly unique – in that both sides were ambushed by the other. Although there is always a certain amount of tension between the two species throughout the year, things tend tend to become a little worse as the battle’s anniversary comes around. Things have been even worse recently, though with the arrival of several Grags the previous month. A Grag is a deep-downer and a master of dwarfish lore – naturally, they are very influential in Ankhh-Morpork’s dwarfish community. One of them – Grag Hamcrusher – has naturally been stirring up a great deal of trouble. Naturally, when Hamcrusher is murdered, Sam feels it’s the City Watch’s responsibility to investigate. The dwarves, who are quite happy to blame a troll, don’t agree.

As is things weren’t difficult enough, “The Battle of Koom Valley” by Methodia Rascal is also stolen from the Royal Art Museum. The (incredibly detailed) painting itself is priceless, despite the fact that Rascal was somewhat insane. (He believed he was being relentlessly pursued by a chicken). There are also rumours of a mysterious Mr Shine amongst the trolls – a diamond geezer, if the graffiti is to be believed. Worst of all, the Patrician has unleashed a government inspector – Mr A.E. Pessimal – on the Watch.

Another cracking book from Pratchett – as usual there’s plenty of humour and with a great storyline ‘underneath’ it all. Excellent stuff, highly recommended !

Not Pratchett’s best, but it’s got to be a really bad Discworld novel before I won’t like it. I enjoyed visiting with the members of the Watch – they fit like an old boot. I just felt like there wasn’t as much payoff as there could’ve been, kinda like Pratchett felt like he had enough words and should wrap it up pretty quickly. Good sections – I really liked the Thud! club and the bits about “Where’s my Cow”, but the narrative didn’t hold together like a Watch book usually does.

Having read most Pratchett books I found this one a bit dull. I just couldn’t get into it and it didn’t make me chuckle like they usually do. That said, it did the job that I expect from a Discworld novel.