Terry Pratchett's Going Postal

The story follows Moist von Lipwig, who after years of undertaking confidence tricks on others finds himself caught by the guards, the sergeant being a werewolf, and is sentenced to death under the alias of Albert Spangler. After a brief spell in prison he is hanged by the neck, but not killed. He is brought before Patrician Havelock Vetinari who insists that he either becomes the new Postmaster or be executed by falling down a deep pit. MORE