Published by Doubleday, London; 2011. 378pp. 8vo. First edition, first impression. Condition: Near Fine/Near Fine.
A beautiful example of this first edition, the thirty-ninth book from the Discworld series. Bound in it’s original black boards with gilt title to the spine, the binding is square and tight with just a touch of bumping to the corners and a few rub marks to the front board, it is otherwise in very smart and collectible condition. Inside, the pages are clean and bright and free from blemishes or wear, with barely a hint of toning to the pages.
The dust jacket is also in smart condition, unclipped and as bright as the day it was published, illustrated by Paul Kidby. There is a little shelf wear to the top edge with slight chipping to the top of the spine, but it is otherwise in very clean condition.
In all, this is a particularly lovely example of this first edition, appearing barely read and in near perfect condition. It is the thirty-ninth instalment from Pratchett’s phenomenally successful series. It is the eighth City Watch book and it is largely based around the character Commander Sam Vimes, who is holidaying in the pleasant and innocent countryside. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a policeman taking a holiday will barely have had time to open his suitcase before he finds his first corpse. but not for him a mere body in the wardrobe. Rather, many, many, many bodies - and an ancient crime more terrible than murder. This beautiful book would be the perfect addition to any collection, or an excellent gift for any lover of the Discworld series.