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The Fifth Elephant

By Terry Pratchett

Published: 1999-01-01

About

Everyone knows that the world is flat, and supported on the backs of four elephants. But weren't there supposed to be five? Indeed there were. So where is it?...When duty calls. Commander Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork constabulary answers. Even when he doesn't want to. He's been "invited" to attend a royal function as both detective and diplomat. The one role he relishes; the other requires, well, ruby tights. Of course where cops (even those clad in tights) go, alas, crime follows. An attempted assassination and a theft soon lead to a desperate chase from the low halls of Discworld royalty to the legendary fat mines of Uberwald, where lard is found in underground seams along with tusks and teeth and other precious ivory artifacts. It's up to the dauntless Vimes -- bothered as usual by a familiar cast of Discworld inhabitants (you know, trolls, dwarfs, werewolves, vampires and such) -- to solve the puzzle of the missing pachyderm. Which of course he does. After all, solving mysteries is his job.

Series

  • The Discworld Series

Where This Book Fits

  • #24 in Discworld Publication Order
  • #5 in Discworld: City Watch — Read after Jingo. Sam Vimes moves into diplomacy and international politics.

Previous and Next Books

Previous: Jingo

Next: Night Watch

Cover of The Fifth Elephant

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  • Buy from Bookshop.org
  • Also at Waterstones

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