Status
Call number
Collection
Publication
Description
A further episode in the Unquiet Bones series, following the life and fortunes of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon in medieval Bampton, Oxfordshire Alan, the beadle of the manor of Bampton, had gone out at dusk to seek those who might violate curfew. When, the following morning, he had not returned home, his young wife Matilda had sought out Master Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of the manor. Two days later Alan's corpse was discovered in the hedge, at the side of the track to St Andrew's Chapel. His throat had been torn out - his head was half severed from his body - and his face, hands and forearms were lacerated with deep scratches. Master Hugh, meeting Hubert the coroner at the scene, listened carefully to the coroner's surmise that a wolf had caused the great wound. And yet, if so, why was there no blood?… (more)
User reviews
I enjoyed this book. It is about a man who is the fourth son, so he was sent to Oxford to make
The mystery isn't quite as satisfying, but the character of Hugh de Singleton and the descriptions of his efforts to solve the mystery and the people he interacts with are well done. The language is just what I want in historical fiction. The narrator is educated and it's probably few people ever talked this way, but it feels just right for the time and the person.
Since I’ve read the first two installments in this series, I’ll start with the obvious comparisons. Hugh is an engaging hero, likeable despite his self-confessed vanity regarding his talents. In the second book, the author manages to keep Hugh in character, while still having him develop as a person. The mystery itself is a bit pedestrian, but everything wraps up well in the end. As in the first novel in the series, Starr makes Wycliff a character, but he doesn’t add much to the plot of the book other than to help Hugh with his deductions.
Where the author really excels, however, is in period detail, as well as the details of medieval surgery. There’s less of it here in this book than in The Unquiet Bones, however, but that actually added to my enjoyment of the book. In all, this is a better book than the first in the series, though the mystery itself takes the backseat sometimes.
While I was able to guess several of the details before they were explained by Hugh. However, as the story is written by Hugh himself as a chronicle of his investigation, he often informs the reader that something turned up to be important, but he did not realize it at the time of the discovery. The case leads the reader on quite a merry chase through the little town, introducing us to many of the residents. Starr's writing brings these people and their town to life through the eyes of Hugh as he struggles to find the trail of the killer.
The writing was nice and liesurly, carrying you through the book at a steady pace as Hugh lays the groundwork for everything to come together. On the down side, I found very little to feel suspense about. Since it was written as a chronicle by Hugh after the fact, there were many insights and thoughts included. I got a little tired of hearing how badly he wanted to find a wife, the subject was dwelt on too many times and too often. I can hardly imagine that a man investigating such a grisly murder would have much time to complain to himself about his lack of a wife.
I have added earlier chronicles to my wish list, but they are not near the top. The story was engaging but needed to have that moment of suspence to make it a little more exiting for me.
3/5
However, knowing that this was Christian fiction I found myself annoyed by the character's lusting after a 15 year old scullery maid. Perhaps staying to true tot he times, each female character in this book holds an minor role and are stereotypes of the women of the day. Shrew, adulterer, scullery maid, and young lovely maiden are a deep as you will get for the female characters. Also I found the author's practice of having 2 or three characters with the same name unnecessarily confusing. While there may not have been a surplus of names, there is no need to have 3 Johns, or 4 Thomas'.
I loved both of them. The writing is very simple and straightforward, so those who enjoy fancy or
If you are knowledgeable at all about the time period the strong religious theme fits right in with the time, place and people. It is also not preachy, just part of their lives, especially the different devotions during the day, and as a reality check (in their world), about what they were doing and hoping for - are they doing the right thing. Of course, not everyone believes or follows the rules, but the main characters does both.
The POV is Hugh de Singleton an extra son (4th) of some minor gentry. He has to fend for himself in the world and through a series of events becomes interested in Surgery while at College. Surgery is not the same practice of medicine as leech, barber or doctor. Hugh mostly deals with injuries and their side effects, and the methods to make them well.
He rescued the Lord of Brampton when he was injured and bleeding in the streets of Oxford.
He is engaged soon after by the Lord. Hugh moves to the small hamlet to look after him, his family, the villagers and castle workers. Hugh is a bit of a modernist in his medical approach, but he has good results which develops a good reputation. Because of his methods of careful observation and questioning, and the trust the Lord has for him, Hugh gets handed all the mysteries in the castle/hamlet. In the second book Hugh has also become the Bailiff for the Lord, giving him official standing when he makes his inquiries.
Hugh is also a very straightforward man and so his prose style in his chronicles reflects that. He is trying to do his best, but often feels overwhelmed. He makes mistakes and owns up to them and tries to learn from them. He is interested in having a wife, but often afraid to look for her, since those in his path so far, have been unsuitable (too high or too low on the social ladder (the scullery maid is not too young, but too lowly for him)). He has a fear of horse riding, and consequently a fondness for an old slow war horse named Bruce, and an inquisitive mind.
The period details and setting are masterfully done and you really feel yourself in the time period. When the book was over, I still wanted to be wandering in the hamlet. Although the book is about the killing of Alan the Beadle, the mystery is about a pair of shoes, and the interactions in the village. The shoes lead to the unraveling of the case. It reflects how little the people had, and how dear even the smallest item was. Starr brings in the church, the castle, the foresters, and the village tradesmen as part of the story and the mystery. Very well done, and a good foundation for more books and character development. Hugh may also have finally found the right young lady, but only time will tell.
The author provides a glossary of period terms for those who are unfamiliar with them. The first book had Wycliffe making a cameo, and I hope other notables of the time will also show up. I can't wait for book #3. This is a series I will keep reading.
Set in the latter half of the fourteenth century, after the decimation of the Black Death, this is the story of medieval surgeon Hugh de Singleton. Master Hugh, like many of us in this day and age actually has two jobs. He is both the local surgeon and bailiff to the local nobleman. As such he is in charge of the daily management of the nobleman’s estate, imposer of fines, collector of rents and in this case – solver of crimes.
Hugh is one of the most endearing characters I have ever read. His internal dialogue on the nature of religion, in a time period when religion was whatever the church said it was, is witty and thought –provoking. An unlikely hero, Hugh is the perfect everyman guide to life in a fourteenth- century small town. And the characters that inhabit Bampton can be found in any small town in the world. That is what makes this such an accessible story.
The death of Alan the local beadle (kind of like a town night watchman) sets in motion a series of events that Starr weaves into an intriguing mystery that will have you wondering to the very end. The twists and turns of the mystery take Hugh into a revealing look at his neighbors. And the best part is that the motives for all of the mayhem Bampton endures are all too human.
In case you can’t tell, I truly enjoyed this book. The writing is brilliant in that it creates a very comfortable journey to fourteenth century England with a hero who is the perfect traveling companion and the perfect teacher to introduce you to the fascinating world of medieval medicine, police work and life. This is the first book of Mr. Starr’s I have read, but it certainly won’t be the last. Besides, I just have to find out if Hugh finds a suitable wife!
In addition to his duties at the castle, Hugh's solving two murders, finding a poacher, and reassuring people that a wild and crazed wolf is not on the prowl. He spends his days creeping about like one of the killers hoping to find out who's been poaching deer from the Lord's forest and wondering if the two murdered men might have seen something they shouldn't have.
A Corpse at St. Andrew's Chapel is a medieval murder mystery. It's the second book in the chronicles of Hugh de Singleton. It was a quick, fun read and while it is a bit of historical fiction, it wasn't overflowing with history, it was just the setting and I enjoyed that about the book. There were a few odd parts which I could have done without (Hugh gets a bit too interested in a scullery maid for my taste --- leering is never becoming) but overall it a was nice distraction from my regular reading pattern. It's the second book in the series featuring Hugh de Singleton but it worked as a standalone book for me. You don't need to know anything about the people and places and Starr provides enough background for you to understand without feeling left out. My guess is that might change as the series progresses. A third book in the series is planned --- A Trail of Ink.
When Alan the Beadle is found under a hedge with his throat ripped
There are no jarring anachronisms here; Hugh makes excellent use of the few and low-tech tools available to a medieval detective to solve the crimes. Who would think that the number of nails in a door hinge could provide an important clue to murder?
These books are a very pleasant way to nibble a little history within a well-written mystery. Hugh’s mentor is a real historical character; a firebrand scholar who was later condemned by the Church as a heretic. The characters and setting are well-drawn, including the unsuitable women of differing stations who capture shy Hugh’s fancy.
I look forward to the next book in this series!
Mel Starr gives us a unique look at the mid 1300’s in his new novel A Corpse at St. Andrew’s Chapel, through the eyes of surgeon and bailiff Hugh Singleton. Being a teacher of History and student of medieval surgery and English Mel gives us a realistic feel of the life and times of that era, filled with language, rituals and lifestyle. After the first few pages you’re able to pick up on the dialogue, which is rife with humor as well as vivid narratives of the community and surrounding countryside of Brampton England, which is a town that still exists today in the Cumbrian countryside. His characters are wonderfully portrayed in commonsense and earthy detail and you’ll soon know them well as the author is gifted in his descriptions and knowledge of them. Hugh is such a likable fellow he is obviously always in search of justice, his faith in God is indisputable and his wish and search for a wife is funny and heartwarming.
So if you’re in the mood for a little something different in your search for a good mystery read I think this one might be right up your alley.
A Corpse at St. Andrew’s Chapel is Hugh’s second adventure, it reads well as a stand a lone. Make sure to check out the first in the series The Unquiet Bones and his third in the series is due out soon and is titled A Trail of Ink. Check him out you’ll be glad you did.
While on the trail of a thief Hugh almost gets killed by a bandit. Then he finds himself looking for a murderer. Hugh has a rough time of it and has a few close calls.
Great books, great storytelling. I expect to enjoy them all!
The story is written first-person with the voice of Singleton. Author Mel Starr is a historian by education and trade and has thoroughly research this series of period novels. Included in the front of the book are words and terms to help understand the terminology of the period. But you don't feel as though you are reading a history book. As Hugh de Singleton rides Bruce, the horse given him to use about the village and castle's business, he ponders the varied events that he must resolve and charge the culprits for the poaching and murders that trouble his village.
The story takes the reader through the mental exercises, daily treks and journeys, meals of loaves of bread and ale and pieces of meat taken cold because he missed meal time. Mel Starr writes with ease and knowledge about the life and times and the status of different folk. How each person's job or status determined the lodging and even the quantity, frequency, and types of food they are able to eat.The reader will gain an appreciation for the laws of the period about ownership, poaching, curfews, and simple rights or lack of rights. You grasp the social order and the privilege of rank that exists.
Singleton is trying to solve multiple murders and poaching that occurred on his Lord's estate and in going about this, his skills as a detective/bailiff are used but also his knowledge, and "cutting edge" opinions and skills as a surgeon.
I began this series in the middle and have now read six of the books. I had to go back and start with the first book. I found Starr's style different and refreshing. It was interesting to read this period book and I felt that I could trust Starr's interpretation of the customs of the time.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of A Corpse at St. Andrews Chapel from Kregel Publishing on behalf of the author for the purpose of my honest review. I was under no obligation to provide favorable comments. Opinions expressed are solely my own.
A well-written slow paced