Super Short Summary

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett follows Maurice, a sentient cat leading a band of intelligent rats who, along with a boy named Keith, con towns by pretending to be a plague, which Keith then "eradicates" for payment. In the town of Bad Blintz, they uncover a sinister plot involving the local rat-catchers and a mind-controlling Rat King named Spider. The group works together to expose the corruption and ultimately seeks coexistence with the townsfolk. Themes of deceit, mortality, and animal cruelty are present.