Balthazar and Hebe Jones were very happily married and parents of a small son, Milo,when Balthazar accepted a new job in a very unique place.  The family moved to the Tower of London so Balthazar could serve the Queen as a Beefeater..  The adjustments were many, such as adjusting to living in rooms with no square corners only rounded walls with ancient markings left by the centuries of prisoners who were held there while imprisoned.  Balthazar is nominated to become the Keeper of the Royal Menagerie.  Gift animals given to the Queen by heads of state had been kept in the Tower from the thirteenth to the nineteenth centuries when they were transferred to the London Zoo.  Now they are being returned to the Tower to attract more visitors.  Hebe and Bazlthazar are upset over the new responsibilities, but their most difficult problem is learning to deal with their grief over the loss of their son.  The curious setting and unique, zany and funny story is actually a very charming love story with much historical interest.  Like most historical fiction there is some truth to the story of the Royal Menagerie explained in this link.