The Elephants of Norwich by Edward Marston - Domesday Series - Fiction - Paperback

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780749026905
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Series: Domesday Series, Book 11

Overview:
Step into Norman England with Edward Marston's gripping historical mystery, The Elephants of Norwich. Two Domesday Commissioners, sent to settle a land dispute between rival barons, are pulled into a far darker affair when a pair of priceless golden elephants vanish and a steward disappears without trace. Blending courtroom wit with a tightly plotted whodunit, this eleventh instalment in the acclaimed Domesday series delivers atmosphere, intrigue, and a satisfying puzzle for lovers of medieval crime fiction.

About the Book:
Edward Marston's The Elephants of Norwich transports readers to the turbulent years following the Norman Conquest, where Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret, two Domesday Commissioners, arrive in Norwich expecting a routine adjudication between two quarrelling landowners, Richard de Fontenel and Mauger Livarot. Both men are vying for the hand of the wealthy widow Adelaide, and de Fontenel has gifted her two exquisite solid-gold elephant miniatures to win her favour. When the elephants are stolen and de Fontenel's steward, Hermer, disappears at the same time, the commissioners find their legal mission overtaken by a criminal one. As accusations fly between the two rival suitors, Delchard and Bret must sift through lies, rivalries, and old grudges to uncover what really happened to the treasure and the missing steward. Marston weaves in the resentments of Norman conquerors and displaced Saxon landholders, giving the mystery real historical texture, while four distinct female characters offer a window into the social position of women in this period. The investigation moves through markets, manor halls, and courtrooms, with clues hidden in everyday exchanges and courtly manoeuvring. Though part of a long-running series, the novel stands on its own as a complete mystery, rewarding both newcomers and long-time fans of Marston's Domesday Commissioners with a fast-moving, cleverly constructed medieval whodunit.

Key Benefits:

• A self-contained medieval mystery that works well as a standalone read.
• Rich historical detail bringing Norman-era Norwich vividly to life.
• Engaging investigative duo in Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret.
• A twisty plot combining theft, disappearance, and rivalry.
• Part of the long-running, well-regarded Domesday series.

About the Author:
Edward Marston is the pen name of Keith Miles, a prolific British author who has written well over a hundred books across multiple genres. Best known for his hugely popular Railway Detective series, Marston also writes the Bow Street Rivals novels, the Home Front Detective series set during the First World War, and the Ocean Liner mysteries, alongside the long-running Domesday series featuring Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret. His work is celebrated for combining meticulous historical research with brisk, accessible storytelling and memorable characters.

Why You'll Love This Book:
A brisk, atmospheric medieval mystery packed with intrigue, rivalry, and clever plotting. Fans of historical crime fiction will enjoy following Delchard and Bret as they unravel a case of theft, deception, and long-buried resentment in Norman Norwich.

Please Note: Cover shown is the UK edition; ISBN reflects the UK paperback as listed.