New York Times Bestseller

"A lively outing, complete with sly shout-outs to Jane Austen and gritty police procedurals.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

From acclaimed author Sir Terry Pratchett, hailed as the “purely funniest English writer since Wodehouse” (Washington Post Book World), comes another installment in the Discworld series (and the 7th in the City Watch collection featuring Commander Sam Vimes). In this adventure, Vimes attempts to go on holiday but this is Discworld, and nothing goes according to plan. What ensues is a hilarious tale of crime, class, prejudice, and punishment

At long last, Lady Sybil has lured her husband, Sam Vimes, on a well-deserved holiday away from the crime and grime of Ankh-Morpork. But for the commander of the City Watch, a vacation in the country is anything but relaxing. The balls, the teas, the muck—not to mention all that fresh air and birdsong—are more than a bit taxing on a cynical city-born and -bred copper.

Yet a policeman will find a crime anywhere if he decides to look hard enough, and it's not long before a body is discovered, and Sam—out of his jurisdiction, out of his element, and out of bacon sandwiches (thanks to his well-meaning wife)—must rely on his instincts, guile, and street smarts to see justice done. As he sets off on the chase, though, he must remember to watch where he steps. . . . This is the countryside, after all, and the streets most definitely are not paved with gold.