Thud!
Chapters - Terry Pratchett
Section: Murder in the Cellar
A dwarf is murdered in the city, bludgeoned to death in a cellar beneath a dwarf bakery. The weapon appears to be a troll club, and with Koom Valley Day approaching - the anniversary of the ancient battle where dwarfs and trolls fought - the murder threatens to ignite racial tensions across Ankh-Morpork.
Commander Vimes inspects the crime scene with Angua and Cheery. A. E. Pessimal, a government inspector, arrives at the Watch House, sent by Lord Vetinari to audit operations. Sally von Humpeding, a Black Ribboner vampire, joins the Watch as a new recruit, immediately creating tension with Angua.
Sergeant Colon and Nobby patrol the streets and notice troll graffiti: 'Mr Shine, him Diamond!' The deep-down dwarf grag Ardent demands the Watch hand over the murder investigation to dwarf authorities. Vimes refuses. The murdered dwarf turns out to be Helmclever's mentor, Grag Hamcrusher, a firebrand preacher of anti-troll hatred. At six o'clock precisely, Vimes goes home to read 'Where's My Cow?' to Young Sam.
On page: Samuel 'Sam' Vimes, Angua von Uberwald, Cheery Littlebottom, A. E. Pessimal, Havelock Vetinari, Sally von Humpeding, Fred Colon, Nobby Nobbs, Ardent, Helmclever, Otto Chriek, Willikins, Young Sam·Mentioned: Grag Hamcrusher
Section: Into the Dwarf Tunnels
Vimes investigates the murder, descending into the dwarf mine workings beneath the city. The dwarfs have been digging extensive tunnels - effectively a second city underground - and Ardent blocks access at every turn, claiming dwarf spiritual law supersedes surface law.
Angua and Sally are forced to work together tracking scents through the tunnels, their mutual hostility barely contained. Carrot is troubled by the investigation's implications for dwarf-troll relations. Detritus patrols the streets with growing unease as troll-dwarf clashes become more frequent.
A. E. Pessimal follows Vimes everywhere, taking meticulous notes and asking pointed questions about Watch procedures, budgets, and overtime claims. Helmclever is visibly cracking under pressure, caught between the grags' demands for silence and his own terror. Vimes discovers that the painting 'The Battle of Koom Valley' by Methodia Rascal contains a hidden message, and the dark dwarfs are desperate to control it.
On page: Samuel 'Sam' Vimes, Ardent, Angua von Uberwald, Sally von Humpeding, Carrot Ironfoundersson, Detritus, A. E. Pessimal, Helmclever, Sir Reynold Stitched·Mentioned: Grag Hamcrusher
Section: Mr Shine, Him Diamond
Vimes continues the investigation as Koom Valley Day approaches and the city teeters on the brink of race war. Angua and Sally track evidence through the deep tunnels, their professional cooperation slowly building despite their personal friction.
Mr Shine reveals himself to Vimes as a diamond troll of immense intelligence and influence, working to prevent the troll community from being drawn into violence. He explains that the real Koom Valley was not a battle at all, and the truth hidden in the Rascal painting could change everything.
Lord Vetinari applies his own brand of pressure, making it clear that failure is not an option. Colon and Nobby inadvertently gather intelligence from the street. Detritus struggles to contain troll anger. Sybil worries about Sam's obsessive working hours and his nightly ritual of reading to Young Sam at six o'clock sharp.
On page: Samuel 'Sam' Vimes, Angua von Uberwald, Sally von Humpeding, Mr Shine, Havelock Vetinari, Fred Colon, Nobby Nobbs, Detritus, Lady Sybil Ramkin-Vimes, Otto Chriek, Brick, Sir Reynold Stitched·Mentioned: Grag Hamcrusher, Methodia Rascal
Section: Below the Streets
Vimes discovers that the deep-down dwarfs have been mining for the original Koom Valley cave, which contains evidence that the legendary battle was actually an ambush by a third party - the truth that could end centuries of dwarf-troll hatred. Ardent and the extremist grags will do anything to suppress this, as their power depends on maintaining the ancient enmity.
A. E. Pessimal, during a battle with deep-down dwarf extremists, goes berserk with unexpected fury, attacking armoured dwarfs with nothing but his teeth. His audit is quietly forgotten after this display of raw courage. Detritus proves invaluable in the underground pursuit.
Vimes is separated from his officers and trapped deep underground, the painting's secret close enough to almost reach.
On page: Samuel 'Sam' Vimes, Ardent, A. E. Pessimal, Detritus, Otto Chriek, Willikins, Young Sam, Brick
Section: Six O'Clock at Koom Valley
Vimes emerges from the deep tunnels and races to Koom Valley itself, where the ancient cave holds proof that the original battle was a meeting - the dwarf king and the troll chief were trying to make peace when they were ambushed by a third force. Carrot, Angua, Sally, and Detritus follow.
The discovery of the truth - that the dwarf king and troll chief died trying to make peace, not war - shatters the foundation of centuries of racial hatred. Mr Shine helps broker the revelation to the troll community. Helmclever, wracked with guilt and terror, breaks down completely.
Vetinari ensures the political implications are managed. Sybil welcomes Vimes home. The Watch survives intact. And at six o'clock, Vimes reads to Young Sam.
In the cave Vimes reads 'Where's My Cow?' to Young Sam through the darkness at six o'clock, the words echoing through the stone and the paternal rage that follows shaking the cave itself - the Summoning Dark meets a quieter darkness it cannot speak past.
On page: Samuel 'Sam' Vimes, Carrot Ironfoundersson, Angua von Uberwald, Sally von Humpeding, Detritus, Mr Shine, Helmclever, Havelock Vetinari, Lady Sybil Ramkin-Vimes, Bashfullsson, Brick·Mentioned: Grag Hamcrusher, Methodia Rascal
Section: Political Fallout
The aftermath of the Koom Valley revelation ripples through the city. Vimes deals with the political fallout as the deep-down dwarf grags are exposed. Ardent is apprehended. Angua and Sally have reached an uneasy but functional working relationship, bonded by their shared experiences underground.
Vetinari is quietly satisfied with the outcome. Colon and Nobby return to their regular duties with some relief. Detritus stands a little taller. Cheery reflects on what the discoveries mean for dwarf culture going forward.
On page: Samuel 'Sam' Vimes, Ardent, Angua von Uberwald, Sally von Humpeding, Havelock Vetinari, Fred Colon, Nobby Nobbs, Detritus, Cheery Littlebottom, Bashfullsson, Brick
Section: Closing the Case
Vimes wraps up the case, ensuring that the evidence from Koom Valley is preserved and made public. The truth about the ancient peace meeting begins to reshape dwarf and troll relations across the Disc. Helmclever's fate is sealed as his complicity in the cover-up comes to light.
A. E. Pessimal submits his audit report, which turns out to be surprisingly favourable - he has been won over by the Watch's effectiveness despite its unconventional methods. Lady Sybil notes with satisfaction that her husband came home on time every single day to read to Young Sam.
On page: Samuel 'Sam' Vimes, Helmclever, A. E. Pessimal, Lady Sybil Ramkin-Vimes, Young Sam, Bashfullsson, Brick, The Summoning Dark·Mentioned: Methodia Rascal
Section: Home by Six
The final resolution. Vimes reflects on the case and what it means for the city. The dwarf and troll communities begin the slow process of reconciliation, guided by the revelation that their founders died trying to make peace. Mr Shine continues his quiet work among the trolls. Vetinari observes the new political landscape with satisfaction.
The Watch carries on. Angua and Sally have found their working equilibrium. Carrot remains the moral compass. Detritus enforces the peace. And every evening at six, Vimes reads 'Where's My Cow?' to Young Sam. Because some things you have to do.
On page: Samuel 'Sam' Vimes, Mr Shine, Havelock Vetinari, Angua von Uberwald, Sally von Humpeding, Carrot Ironfoundersson, Detritus, Young Sam, Bashfullsson, Brick, The Summoning Dark·Mentioned: Ruby, Ruby (Detritus's wife)