The elephants of Norwich

It is the juiciest piece of gossip the citizens of Norwich have heard for a long time. The ruthless robber baron Richard de Fontenel is himself the victim of robbery. What makes it so delicious is that also missing, in addition to two priceless golden elephants de Fontenel was using to lure the beautiful Adelaide into marriage, is de Fontenel's steward Hermer. Trying to create order among this chaos are Domesday Commissioners Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret. They are keen to progress with the adjudication on a land dispute involving de Fontenel and Mauger - a man also trying to woo Adelaide - without becoming involved in the hunt for the thief. Their hopes are soon dashed as de Fontenel refuses to co-operate until the elephants are found. But is Hermer the steward really missing or has something altogether more sinister happened? And, how did de Fontenel come to be in the possession of the rare and exquisite elephants? In Ralph and Gervase's most baffling and terrifying case yet, nothing is what it seems and no one is free from suspicion, not even the fair Adelaide...