Esio Trot

Mr Hoppy, a retired bachelor, harbours a secret passion for the attractive widow Mrs Silver. Unfortunately she lavishes all her affection on another . . . Alfie, her pet tortoise. Mr Hoppy's wildly ingenious plot to defeat his rival and win the love of his lady will delight and amaze, involving as it does a cryptic riddle and no fewer than 140 tortoises, large and small.