Feet of Clay (by Terry Pratchett)

(Amazon UK link)

'Feet of Clay' is the 19th Discworld series by the phenomenally successful Terry Pratchett. I have just re-read it, and enjoyed it very much.

As with most of these novels, there are several concurrent threads. Two old men are murdered, and the Watch - in particular Sam Vimes - want to find out who did it, and why. Meanwhile Lord Vetinari is being poisoned, and Vimes tries to discover how this is happening, as well as who and why.

Alongside these investigations, there are gender issues, racism debates, and questions about what life really is. This is the book where 'golems' are introduced for the first time: they are the Discworld equivalent of robots. Are they to be treated like another species, or as independent tools?

There are quite a few philosophical discussions about whether something not technically alive can commit murder, and whether it has any rights. There are even debates towards the end of the book about the nature of atheism: is it a religious belief in its own right?

All in all, this is a very thought-provoking book. It is set amidst the usual Discworld brand of pseudo-mediaeval technology with plenty of classical references and irony that can all too easily be missed.

Definitely recommended.