Melvin StarrBesprekingen

Not as good as #1 in the series; slower moving & too much repetition.

Nice story, plot clear and interesting, relatively accurate, with the exception of making attitudes a bit more palatable for a modern reader

Medieval

Medieval

Medieval

Medieval

The surgeon Hugh de Singleton is required to join Lord Gilbert Talbot’s forces in opposition to King Charles of France. Sir Simon Trillowe is another member of those forces. Simon has several grievances against Hugh, resulting in confrontations between the two. Those grievances are rehashed numerous times in this short book. That was unnecessary. When Simon is found dead, Hugh is the prime suspect.

I have not read any other books in this series, but this book worked fine as a standalone. There was a lot of interesting period detail. Unfortunately, the mystery wasn’t that special. I don’t know whether that is a characteristic of the series, or this book was just a dud. There was a definite homophobic slant to the case. I have no idea whether that was accurate for the period or not, but it was distasteful.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Enjoyable 14th century murder mystery

When the font at Bampton is found to be empty of holy water, Hugh Singleton is charged with investigating. The aftermath of the Plague means that money is tight and the King has enacted a new Poll Tax, every person has to pay and this makes some desperate. Hugh is also charged with demanding the tax from the people of Bampton. Could the disappearance of the Holy Water be connected to the need for individuals to raise money quickly?
This is the sixteenth volume in this very entertaining series. It's short, it's fun and it's beautifully researched. A comfortable read

After reading the first couple of chapters I thought maybe the plot wasn't up to par with earlier books in the series. It seemed the only crime for Hugh to solve was the theft of holy water from the baptismal font at St. Beornwald's Church. The presumption was that the water would being used for the black arts. When Father Robert was found near death in the sanctuary, I was excited. I hoped he would die and there would be a murder to solve. That sounds mean but Father Robert survived not only the attack to his head but he survived Hugh's brain surgery. I thoroughly enjoyed how Hugh removed a blood clot under the skull as well as remove a loose bone that he was not sure where it belonged. He operated with the limited knowledge of medicine in the medieval era but also used common sense to treat his patient. Wine was used as the antiseptic to clean the head both before and after the surgery. Lo and behold Father Robert recovers!

Hugh’s investigation of the theft and attempted murder were one and the same. If he discovered who was stealing the holy water he would discover who whacked Father Robert over the head. Hugh had to travel on horseback, usually at night, over unsafe roads where robbers were prevalent. However, with the death of the king, the coronation of his 10 year old heir Richard brought more crooks out in full force. There were frequent all night watches at the church to catch the thief but the thief was wily. He continued to steal holy water and not get caught. Until he did.

You gotta love a character who doesn't know what to do with a bone inside a brain so he throws it out. If you haven't read the series yet I highly recommend you do so. Most of the books can be read as standalones so start anywhere.

Good historical fiction mystery, set in 1363 England. I especially appreciated the glossary of medieval terms, and thought that the map was also helpful.

Not bad at all

3.5-4 stars

Title: Suppression & Suspicion (The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon #15)
Author: Mel Starr
Pages: 282
Year: 2022
Publisher: Lion Fiction
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Readers return to the early 1300s and the life of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon. He is also the bailiff for Lord Gilbert, one of the wealthiest barons of the realm. Hugh is called to a field where a shallow grave has been discovered with the partial remains of a man inside. I say partial because pigs have uncovered the grave first and been munching on the corpse. Hugh knows the identity of the victim. Now, it is his job to prove who committed the crime.
The victim was universally disliked and sometimes even hated. There is no shortage of suspects, but no one is going to give Hugh any information. Everyone is content that the man is dead. Hugh didn’t like the victim either, but it is his job to see justice done in the name of Lord Gilbert and the LORD. As his questioning continues, he and his wife are given the cold shoulder wherever they go. In addition, there is a new vicar who is spreading rumors and false teaching about Bampton. This vicar also has his eye on the servant girl who helps Hugh’s wife. Hugh is at odds with the vicar because of this and also because some of Hugh’s beliefs about the Church and Scripture are not in line with the Church’s teaching. Will Hugh be accused of heresy? Does he continue to thwart the vicar at the risk of his life?
While I enjoyed visiting the past again with Hugh, I wanted more details about his medical/surgical life. I like all the details about what the people ate and wore during this time in history. Thanks to the author for including a helpful glossary. I enjoy books where I learn about the past be they fiction or not, and Mel Starr never disappoints in that respect. I’ve already got my 2023 calendar marked to begin checking for his next book so I can add it to my TBR list.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

The author’s comprehensive knowledge of the history of medieval England was used to good effect to create a convincing sense of time and place in this easy to read story. I enjoyed the way in which his meticulous attention to detail created a very credible image of what life was like for people living during that time. I was fascinated by the descriptions of battleground conditions and military strategy, as well as by the information about the range of herbal remedies available for treating a whole range of medical conditions and injuries, as well as details of the rather crude surgical techniques available at the time. I also appreciated the “Afterword” as this helped to put the story into an historical context – it is always good to learn something new! Hugh is a likeable character and I enjoyed his thoughtful and quite philosophical musings about his life, religion and the situations he encountered on a daily basis. The sleuthing/mystery elements of the story were well-plotted and entertaining. This is the ninth story in The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon and as I had read none of the preceding books there were, understandably, references to previous characters and incidences which would have made more sense to someone who had read the earlier books. In spite if this, the story is straightforward enough to be read as a stand alone piece. I found it a quick and entertaining read but did find myself wondering at which age group it is aimed. The quite simple, straightforward writing style made me think it is a book suitable for teenagers/young adults and, if that is the case, I would award it four stars but as a personal read I would have to give it one less because, at only 148 pages long, it was a rather short novel; in addition, I would have preferred more complexity in the story-telling.
I received this book from Lion Hudson plc (via Library Thing Early Reviewers) in exchange for an honest review.

A medieval murder mystery. First of a series of books about surgeon/bailiff Hugh de Singleton. Enjoyable

This book is the first in a series, The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon, and if this one is anything to judge the rest by it promises to be an intriguing and interesting set of books.

Unlike most cozy mysteries that are set in Bake Shops, Quilting Clubs or just centred around folks that enjoy unravelling a good mystery, this one is set in medieval England. The main protagonist is a four son, and as befitting the times is having to make his own way in the world, with death of his three older brothers being the only way he will inherit. The way he finds is the path of the surgeon, although given the condition of 14th century medicine I feel that the title ‘surgeon’ should be loosely interpreted. With a skilful hand the Author paints perfectly the lot of a younger son, and the reader is transported into the time period to suffer the cold and hunger that the main character experiences. Despite all his hardships, this character is very likeable, and is very well aware of the holes in his knowledge and goes to great lengths to make sure that those around him understand his skills only go so far. As the novel progresses so we see our main character grow and begin to find out who he really is; this is done with humility on the part of our ‘hero’ which only serves to endear him to the reader even more.

This is not a fast paced murder mystery but rather it ambles along at pace that reflects the era it was set in. It is a simpler time, but this simpler time is laced with a darkness and cruelty that was redolent in the 14th century. Although the story itself is simple, that is a good thing, the Authors descriptions are not weighed down with too much description, but not too little that the reader loses interest in what is happening. The book does have a lot of references to Christianity and the Church, but this is not because it is a Christian fiction novelist, again this is just a reflection of a time when the Church played a very large role in the everyday lives of the people it touched. Again this added to the overall feel of the novel, and did not detract from it in anyway. Through tight writing and keeping on track with the plot, this novel is more than just another medieval tale.

I would highly recommend reading this series, and those readers who enjoy a cozy mystery but are looking for something away from the normal setting might especially enjoy this along with lovers of historical fiction. I will definitely be reading the remainder of the series as, and when they are published.


Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/03/25/review-the-unquiet-bones-the-chronicles-of...



This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Master Wycliffe's Summons is the 14th book in Mel Starr's series The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon. I have read most of them and they are fabulous. Starr writes tightly woven medieval mysteries that move fast. The death always occurs early in the story so that the rest of the novel can be about solving the crime. In this particular installment of the series, a student at Queen's College Oxford, Richard Sabyn, has been found dead in bed. There was a lightening storm the night before and it appears that he may have been struck by the lightening. However, Oxford Master John Wycliffe does not believe that the evidence shows a lightening strike and wants Singleton to look into the death. Singleton agrees with Wycliffe that it is possible to make it look as though Sabyn died from a lightening strike.

I enjoyed the story but it was not as exciting as some of Starr's earlier books in the series. The pace was slow and the howdunnit didn't grab my attention. While the howdunnit was interesting I don't think the writing was well executed. Singleton spent alot of time trying to figure out how someone could collect enough urine, dove droppings and a small amount of charcoal to create the substance that killed Sabyn. I was eating dinner while I read the book and that urine section didn't set well with my tummy. I did find it interesting that the deceased was copying a gospel into English while John Wycliffe, who translated the Bible into English between 1382 and 1395, denied any knowledge of it. Our protagonist did not perform any surgeries but did gather herbs for several people to help ease the pain of the plague.

Title: Master Wycliffe’s Summons (The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon, #14)
Author: Mel Starr
Pages: 240
Year: 2021
Publisher: Lion Fiction
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Hugh receives a message from his former tutor, now friend, Master John Wycliffe, to come and investigate a suspicious death of a student. The coroner has ruled the death an accidental death by lightning strike, but Wycliffe thinks there is more to the story. Hugh arrives at Queen’s College where Wycliffe is now ensconced. His companion on his mystery-solving missions, Arthur, accompanies him. Hugh quickly concurs with Wycliffe that this death was no accident. He also learns that none of the other students are sorry their fellow student is dead. He was a bully and liked by none. He was tolerated by a few. Now, Hugh must narrow down the pool of suspects to find the murderer.
While at Oxford, word arrives that the plague has struck less than 10 miles from Bampton, Hugh’s home. He is worried about his wife and children catching this deadly disease. What he soon realizes, is that the plague has also made its way to Oxford. Hugh will experience the loss of someone close to him as a result. Another avenue of subterfuge occurring is the illegal translation of the four gospels of the Bible from Latin into English. As Hugh gets closer to the truth, he is physically attacked and injured. As he recovers, he calls on his companions to continue the investigation and catch a killer.
I look forward every autumn to reading Mel Starr’s latest Hugh de Singleton mystery. I have read the entire series and enjoyed it immensely. Visiting with Hugh in 1300s England is a treat for me. I like reading about how he steadfastly pursues every clue, plodding along and going over the same ground again and again until he discovers the one tidbit of information that will solve the mystery. Medieval mystery lovers will definitely want to check out this series. I recommend beginning with book one, The Unquiet Bones, and reading the books in order.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

I've been slowly reading through this series and In my opinion they just keep getting better. Here we have a man that no one likes, apparently committing suicide. But there are too many clues that Hugh sees that don't add up, as a matter of fact, he's pretty sure the man was murdered. But it's troubling finding a murderer, when most people are glad he's gone including the the investigator, Hugh himself.

Justice vs. Mercy?

Great story, and an old foe show up again, the timing of which throws Hugh off the scent for a little bit. Cool mystery, smart but believably fallible protagonist, great read. Will continue reading the series!

Called to Oxford by his old friend John Wycliffe, Sir Hugh de Singleton confirms Wycliffe's suspicions that a recent death was not caused by lightning but was murder. When another scholar is also found dead, again presumed accidentally, Hugh knows that a plot is afoot. However plague is making inroads in the area and Hugh knows that he is up against time to unmask the killer.
This is the 14th book in a series and , whilst I have not read them all, I really enjoy them. The research is excellent with a real sense of time and place but not to extent that masks a decent plot. The pace of the books is lively and they are not too demanding so ideal for a quick read. Here the formula is not changed and it's great.

I really enjoy historical mysteries. I'll read mysteries set in pretty much any historical period, but admit to having a soft spot for the 14th Century, which is what drew me to Master Wycliffe's Summons—that, and the fact that Wycliffe appears in the title. Wycliffe was one of the early proponents of translating the Bible into English, which was a dangerous stance at the time, and which makes him of great interest to me.

Master Wycliffe's Summons if the first title I've read in the Hugh de Singleton series, but it's the 14th volume in that series, so I'm stepping into things a bit late. Nonetheless, I had no difficulty whatsoever sorting out the characters and following the action. The text makes it clear that this volume isn't the first in which Singleton has worked with Wycliffe, which opens up the interesting possibility that if Wycliffe keeps appearing, we may get some interesting portrayal of the process by which he became a proponent of the vernacular Bible. In this volume, Wycliffe is not yet an advocate, but a side part of the mystery involves a small group of Oxford students translating the gospels into English—and Wycliffe and Singleton's awareness of how dangerous this undertaking might be if the wrong people found out.

So, to be honest, I'm primarily reading Master Wycliffe's Summons because of my interest in Wycliffe, not because of a specific interest in this series. That said, Master Wycliffe's Summons is certainly satisfactory. The characters are interesting and have a back story. The plague makes an appearance, which is always a sort of bonus in mysteries set in this period. While the mystery is not complex in the way of the best historical mysteries (such as Pears' An Instance of the Fingerpost), the solution isn't obvious from the start, and the main characters engage in some interesting detective work on their way to a solution.

This is a series I will keep reading when I'm in one of my need-some-historical-mystery-entertainment-stat moods. Given Wycliffe's presence, I'll be tracking it and looking for Wycliffe's next appearance. If historical mysteries are an important part of your entertainment reading, you will most likely enjoy this title.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

1373 and Lady Philippa Molyns is travelling from her home in Coleshill to Bampton. Escorted by her husband and his retinue. But on arriving at Bampton Lady Philippa and her maid have disappeared. Sir Hugh de Singleton is instructed by Lord Gilbert to investigate.
This standalone story is an enjoyable easy to read mystery, with its likeable characters.
A NetGalley Book

1363. Hugh of Singleton, as the fourth son of a minor knight, had been educated as a clerk but feels a calling to become a surgeon.
On setting himself up in Oxford chance brings him to the attention of Lord Gilbert, Third Baron Talbot, lord of Bampton Castle. He offers Hugh the chance to be a surgeon to the area, but soon he finds himself investigating a death when bones are found in the garderobe of the castle.
An enjoyable historical mystery, well-written and a cast of likeable characters. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
A very good solid start to the series.

Edward, Prince of Wales in 1372 suffers a relapse of his illness and summons Hugh de Singleton to help again. While at dinner at Kennington Palace, the knight who collected Hugh, Sir Giles Cheyne, dies. Edward instructs Hugh to discover the culprit.
This is the first of the series that I have read and can easily be read as a standalone story.
I enjoyed the mystery set in this interesting time-period, the writing and the well-drawn out characters, and would like to read more of the series.
A NetGalley Book