A dwarf leader has died and mysterious circumstances surround the event, as per usual when people are killed in books about the police. At the same time, the anniversary of an ancient battle between trolls and dwarves draws near and a fifty-foot painting of the battle is stolen. The dwarves' under-city mine seems to hold a secret.

Tension grows

Commander Samuel Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch assigns two experienced officers and a new recruit to the investigation surrounding the death. The tension between dwarves and trolls, between vampires and werewolves and between politicians and the Watch is high.

The reader is introduced to lance-constable Sally, a vampire, to troll drugs and to the troll king, Mr Shine. As the story progresses, we find out that history books aren't always true and that pet dragons are more efficient than guard dogs.