Dear Mary: How can I make a surgeon give me my book back?

Q. Towards the end of last year, I began three months of treatment for a knee replacement. During one consultation the surgeon and I chatted about a mutual interest, the pleasure of cigar smoking. In fact I ceased smoking some time ago, but still had a quantity in my humidor and was pleased to make a gift to someone still enjoying a smoke. Among the items were a number of Monte Cristo Habanas, and to avoid any damage I packed them in a leather cigar case: I also handed over an inscribed book on the cigar industry, saying that I would like to have both the book and the case returned to me. I am not at all interested in the promised report of pleasure received. I have simply asked many times for my things to be returned , without success. Mary, how can I achieve this?
— J.E., by email

A.