Couldn't resist this when I saw it on the shelf - my favourite author's new book in paperback. Can't wait to read it.

I have never cried with anything other than laughter at a Discworld novel, but I definitely cried with sadness at this won. Sir Terry's latter novels are definitely taking a darker bent, while still maintaining the fun, wicked sense of humour and great plot of the earlier ones - a genius balance.

The 'big' concept tackled this time round is the idea of whether you can hold someone accountable for breaking a law that was only put in place after the fact to stop them doing it again ... something that these times of BLM and the destruction of historic monuments brings to the forefront of a lot of people's minds. Pratchett doesn't give us the answer - but he gives us lots to think about and, at the end of the day, the horrendous treatment of the goblins stops even if not everyone involved can be punished the way that Vimes wants. But you get the impression that Vetinari will not be forgetting it.

Probably my favourite character this time round was Willikins - he's had a few minor roles in the past books, but here his shady past really comes to the fore - and he gets to do what Vimes can't - work outside the law! Young Sam and his poo collection is just genius too.

So definitely one I would recommend - joins Hogfather, Reaper Man and Moving Pictures at the top of my favourite Discworld list.