Rest Not In Peace (Hugh De Singleton’s Chronicles Book 6)

Mel Starr has written another winner in the medieval mystery genre! I have read all the books in this series and am so grateful for Mel’s storytelling talent and ability to translate this talent to paper for readers’ enjoyment and entertainment.This story takes place mostly in Bampton Castle in 1368. Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff for Lord Gilbert is called to the castle to determine the cause of death of one of Lord Gilbert’s guests, Sir Henry Burley. At first, it appears a natural death, but upon further investigation Hugh discovers Sir Henry is the victim of foul play. As the investigation proceeds, Hugh finds more suspects than he can rule out. Sir Henry’s wife is known to want to be free of her husband to marry another. His daughter wants to marry a squire against her father’s wishes. Could on of these women have killed Sir Henry? Maybe they worked together to end his life? Both of the knights in Sir Henry’s employ desire Sir Henry’s wife. Maybe they wanted to get Sir Henry out of the way?All too soon another murder takes place under Lord Gilbert’s roof, and he is not pleased. He charges Hugh to find the murderer quickly so he can be rid of the unpleasant Lady Margery, Sir Henry’s widow. Hugh continues to question members of Sir Henry’s retinue, but is unsatisfied with the direction his investigation takes him. The solution seems too pat, so he continues his search. He uncovers some unsavory information about Sir Henry and this opens up a new can of worms to weed through.Eventually, Hugh discovers the truth and the journey to discovery is well worth the time spent upon the path. I really enjoyed reading about the food eaten and the language style of medieval times. The mystery will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. There are different suspects at different points in the story that hold readers’ minds, keeps them thinking and trying to figure out who the murderer is before the end of the novel. I am looking forward to Hugh’s next adventure in The Abbot’s Agreement, which will be released in late 2014. I highly recommend this very entertaining series for mystery-lovers everywhere.

Two murders in the castle with very little hard evidence and a diverse cast of characters, each with the potential to know far more than they are telling drives this outstanding who-done-it and forces Hugh de Singleton to dig deeply into the lives and relationships of commoners and nobility. An excellent addition to a great series and well worth the time

Hugh Singleton makes good use of his skills in this book. As a surgeon, he sews up a stab wound and straightens a broken nose. As an herbalist he relieves pain and insomnia. And as bailiff to Sir Gilbert of Brampton Castle, he hunts the murderer of two of Sir Gilbert's guests.Although Hugh is a straightforward, fast-working surgeon, in the matter of solving crimes, he tends to be cautious, slow, and suspicious of obvious answers. In the Middle Ages, it was all too easy to hang an innocent person. Hugh doesn't want that to happen by his act.I like Hugh's personality and always enjoy his company in these books. He's a thinker, constantly ruminating on human nature, ethics and religion. And I love watching him patch people up. I also appreciate the intelligence of his wife, and Hugh's fondness for wife and child.I particularly like Mel Starr's style of portraying Medieval life. Hugh always lets us know what's for dinner at the lord's table. The names of the dishes alone charm me: sole in cyve, pottage of whelks, eels in bruit, boar in confit... And I find it amusing that people drink ale at breakfast.Starr brings this exotic period alive with his knowledge of medieval culture, medicine and vocabulary. Every turn of phrase feels authentic. Every character feels appropriate within his or her rank in life. The glossary of medieval terms is helpful and fun to read.A delightful series!

Basically you get 2 murders and a thief, are they connected, how does one affect the other... or does it... You cant use any fancy gadgets that we cant do without today to find your murderer(s)/thief there are no lie-detector tests, no DNA tests, etc... This is how it used to be done.This is the first I have read in this series (and by the author). Most of my reading for the time period that this series is based has been non-fiction and that again is mostly centered on lives of the Tudors. The author is well researched on life in these ages for the average folk. This comes through as you get a look at what meals would have been served, and the different garments worn and there is interspersed throughout vocabulary that was used in those days; the simple methods that was high tech surgery/clinical practice for that time which today barely makes it as first aid for a first responder if it hasnt been phased/dropped by today's medical practices altogether. All together these little period pieces make the novel a bit more realistic. In some places the story went a bit slow, but the couple twists and turns helped it along.Would I recommend it... I think you should use that "look inside" option if thats available to you, if those first couple pages catch youe interest, then yes, I think you might like the book too.I liked it, and will be reading more from this series...maybe starting with book-1 this time...

Although the solution to the murder took Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff at Brampton Castle, a little while to discover, the slow pace of the tale somehow made the whole experience more enjoyable, and drew me into the rural world as it was in 1368. What is specially interesting is the background detail, not so much the names for the various dishes served up (having to keep referring to the glossary distracted from the story, and I felt I could have happily read that Kate was preparing what was effectively scrambled egg with onions, without needing to know it was called 'hanoney'), but the references to the 'Statute of Labourers', with its legal ramifications and financial penalties, imposed by those whose interests it served, but evaded wherever possible by the labourers themselves, and ignored by those landowners who, desperate for workers, would pay well above the statutory limit. We tend to 'know' about the downtrodden peasants, but this really brought the situation home.Apart from Hugh spending much time eating, contemplating the river from the bridge, and enjoying his well-portrayed family of Kate and his baby daughter Bessie, he does a lot of thinking, a little moralising, and shows a great awareness of other people of all degrees. His ability to sway officials away from automatically fixing the blame on the first suspect, imprisoning him, and relying on time in a dungeon or on the rack to force a confession, is impressive, and I find I really like Hugh de Singleton, and the whole community based around the castle. It's just that I'll now have to wait until summer to find out what happens next, after the bad news at the end of the story.

I am thoroughly enjoying reading this series of memoirs of Hugh and always find the mysteries he is set to solve involving. The Characters are likeable and plausible.The only reason I have not given this book 5 stars is I felt the story kept going off at a tangent with almost sermon like preaching with regards to troubled mind over how God would view him if he failed to solve the plot.

I confess that I am a fan of Hugh de Singleton and therefore Mel Starr. My daughter bought me my first "Hugh" book way back when the first one was published, several years ago, as part of my Christmas present and I am amongst the first in the queue each year for the next instalment of our hero's adventures. Keep them coming Mel - I will have withdrawal symptoms if you stop, I am sure.

Yet another great book from the pen of Mel Starr and I am now looking forward to finding out who sent the novice, John Whytyng to meet his maker!And I appreciate the glossary at the front of the books too, even if my scrabble opponent doesn't!My only disappointment is that the height of the book has changed, so the latest in the set looked as though the mice have been at it.

Another well written story of a medieval doctor who gets caught up in disputes and murder between the Lord of the area and the lowly ordinary people trying to make a living in times of upheaval. Also very interesting to read of the medical procedures at that time