The curse of the golden trough - Nicholas Rhea

When Montague Pluke, England's most eccentric detective and greatest expert on horse troughs, visits Siena, he is dismayed that the Italian authorities deny the existence of the city's Golden Trough. Though it has not been seen for 600 years, Pluke determines to find the legendary object and tracks down a museum that is said to own a miniature replica. But when he arrives to examine it, he finds it gone. Pluke needs all his investigative skills and knowledge of folklore as he embarks upon his quest for the Holy Grail of the trough world. And as his search intensifies, he finds he has to contend with a murky family secret and an even darker curse . . .