The gift-giver of the Disc, the Hogfather, has disappeared without a trace.  And there's something shady going on involving a particularly insane assassin named Teatime (pronounced Teh-ah Tim-eh.  Get it right.) and some of the more suspicious members of Ankh-Morpork's large criminal element.  The whole belief system suddenly starts to collapse, and drastic measures must be taken.  Death fills in for the jolly old fat man, and his granddaughter Susan must sort out the mess before everything gets worse.

 When Death himself goes missing, his granddaughter Susan Sto Helit takes over in the spirit-collecting business.  She shows real talent for the trade, until she meets Imp y Celyn, the bard who, by no fault of his own, manages to get a guitar and start Music With Rocks In.  Then, the music takes over.  Literally.

Elsewhere, Death is off trying to forget a few things.  Well, actually, he's trying to forget everything, but can't quite get the hang of it.  Albert, his servant, is looking for him, but can he get there before everything else goes wrong?

However, Death's demise has caused chaos as Windle Poons, the oldest geezer in the wizarding college of the Unseen University, dies while looking forward to a nice afterlife.  But no one's there, and Windle returns to find Death and set things straight for everyone on the Disc, both living and (un)dead.

Unfortunately for him, he summoned up Rincewind, another one of the Discworld's best- the best inept wizard that ever was.  But Eric is convinced that Rincewind is a powerful demon, and demands eternal life, ownership of the Discworld, and the most beautiful woman ever.  Rincewind's only choice is to try to grant the wishes and hope for the best!