Discworld Witches Collection Maskerade

by Terry Pratchett

Hardcover

Published July 3, 2014 by Gollancz, imusti.

ISBN:: 978-1-4732-0028-9

(14 reviews)

The story begins with Agnes Nitt leaving Lancre to seek a career at the Opera House in Ankh-Morpork. When Granny Weatherwax realizes Nanny Ogg has written an immensely popular cookbook but has not been paid by the publisher, the witches also leave for Ankh-Morpork to collect the money, as well as to attempt to recruit Agnes into their coven, to replace Magrat Garlick who left the coven when she became Queen of Lancre (in Lords and Ladies). This has the side benefit of distracting Granny from becoming obsessive and self-centered, or so Nanny believes to her great relief. Agnes Nitt is chosen as a member of the chorus, where she meets Christine, a more popular but less talented girl. The Opera House Ghost, who has long haunted the opera house without much incident, begins to commit seemingly random murders staged as "accidents", and also requests that Christine be given lead roles in several upcoming productions. Due to her incredibly powerful and versatile voice, Agnes is asked to sing the parts from the background, unbeknownst to Christine or the audience. Having discovered the problems at the opera house and also having coerced the publisher to pay Nanny richly for her book, the witches investigate the mystery, with Granny posing as a rich patron, and Nanny insinuating herself into the opera house staff. Agnes unmasks Walter Plinge, the janitor, as the ghost, though as he is seemingly harmless, the others are unconvinced. Another employee is suspected, but turns out to be a member of the Cable Street Particulars. The witches determine that the finances of the Opera House, which are a complete mess, have been made so intentionally in order to hide the fact that money is being stolen, with the murders being used either as a distraction or to cover evidence. It is finally revealed that two people had been masquerading as the ghost. The original (and harmless) ghost, Walter Plinge, was being psychologically manipulated by the second ghost, who assumed the identity to commit the murders and theft. With the witches' help, Walter is able to overcome his fears and help defeat the murderer. - Wikipedia.

24 editions

Kian Ryan reviewed Maskerade by Terry Pratchett (Discworld, Book 18)

I really struggle with Maskerade

3 stars

Second or third read through for me, but I've not read it for a good while.

"The fact that she was a free agent and her own mistress and quite at liberty to go off to Ankh-Morpork had nothing to do with it. They'd interfere. They always did."

This is the crux of the problem I have with Maskerade. Agnes, mostly, just wants to be left alone. A series of events happens to and around her, and Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax who insist they know best over a range of things, insert themselves over the whole book. It's not to say they don't help to resolve things, it's that they insist on doing it their way on every occasion. By any other account, we would possibly accuse them of a level of toxicity. It rubs me the wrong way.

It's not one of my favourites. I have more affinity …

Second or third read through for me, but I've not read it for a good while.

"The fact that she was a free agent and her own mistress and quite at liberty to go off to Ankh-Morpork had nothing to do with it. They'd interfere. They always did."

It's not one of my favourites. I have more affinity for Carpe Jugulum, when there's some refinement to the Witches formula and some other aspects of Terry start to come out. Maskerade at times just feels honestly mean to me.

Otherwise, a passable Terry story. There's enough jokes and references in here to keep most theatre-people happy. You've broadly got a pastiche on Phantom, we have an Opera house, a ghost, and shennanigans. Agnes Nitt / PeridtaX has travelled from Lancre to make it big in the city. Shennanigans ensure.

It's taken three readings, possibly four and another ten years to get possibly one of the biggest gags in the entire book related to Walter Plinge. I suspect after the heat death of the universe, some aspect of the cosmic universe will titter to itself on understanding yet another joke or reference in a STP book.

Roy Adams reviewed Maskerade by Terry Pratchett (Discworld, Book 18)

Funny things happened on the way to the opera

5 stars

Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax end up at the Ankh-Morpork Opera. Lots of chaos with an operatically for finale. The Librarian makes an appearance to ensure the show goes on.

Niko reviewed Maskerade by Terry Pratchett (Discworld series)

Yes and No

3 stars

Content warning plot/characer spoilers maybe?

I wanted to like this more than I did: witches, a Phantom-esque plotline, theater puns... but the anti-fatness really rubbed me the wrong way. I understand this is a huge factor in the motivation of Agnes/Perdita as a character. It just took the wind out of the story-sails and made the whole thing less enjoyable :(

EdibleFuchsia reviewed Maskerade by Terry Pratchett (Discworld, Book 18)

A fun romp in the city of Ankh

5 stars

Enjoyed the interweaving of character personalities and roles in this one. Ahead of his time politically as usual without being a political book. A who-dunnit that keeps you guessing.