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Snuff

Terry Pratchett

512 pages

A cynical city cop brings his righteous fury to the deceptively idyllic countryside in a satirical mystery that is as deeply humane as it is hilarious.

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What it feels like

Reading this book feels like taking a brisk, bracing walk through the English countryside, only to discover the mud is hiding profound social injustices—and then watching a master detective tear the whole system down with sheer, stubborn willpower. The atmosphere is a delightful clash of cozy pastoral tropes and gritty police procedural, all filtered through a lens of wry, biting satire. It moves with a snappy, conversational momentum, carried by prose that is as likely to make you laugh out loud at a clever footnote as it is to strike you with a sudden, poignant observation about human nature. It is a deeply comforting yet fiercely righteous read, perfect for those who like their fantasy grounded in sharp social commentary and led by a curmudgeon with a heart of gold.

Mood
  • deceptively pastoral
  • jovial
  • gritty
  • cozy
Tone
  • wry
  • satirical
  • righteous
  • cynical
  • humane
Pace
brisk
Themes
class prejudice · the definition of personhood · justice vs. the law · rural secrets · fish out of water
The writing
Brilliantly witty and conversational, packed with sly footnotes, sharp social commentary, and a profound warmth.
The arc
Begins with grumpy, reluctant displacement and builds to a crescendo of righteous, unstoppable fury on behalf of the marginalized.
Who it's for
Readers who love their fantasy laced with biting British satire, clever wordplay, and a fiercely moral core wrapped in a cynical exterior.
Content notes
  • fantasy racism
  • murder
  • slavery and trafficking themes
  • classism

About the book

"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.

Description from Open Library.

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