Unhallowed Ground

The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon #4

by Melvin R. Starr

Thomas atte Bridge, a man no one likes, is found hanging from a tree near Cow-leys Corner. All assume he has taken his own life, but Master Hugh and Kate find evidence that this may not be so. Many of the town had been harmed by Thomas, and Hugh is not eager to send one of them to the gallows. Then he discovers that the priest John Kellet, atte Bridge's partner in crime in A CORPSE AT ST. ANDREW'S CHAPEL, was covertly in Bampton at the time atte Bridge died. Master Hugh is convinced that Kellet has murdered atte Bridge – one rogue slaughtering another. He sets out for Exeter, where Kellet now works. But there he discovers that the priest is an emaciated skeleton of a man, who mourns the folly of his past life. Hugh must return to Bampton and discover which of his friends has murdered his enemy …

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Medieval, Crime, Historical

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2011

About the author

Mel Starr was born and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After graduating with a MA in history from Western Michigan University in 1970, he taught history in Michigan public schools for thirty-nine years, thirty-five of those in Portage, MI, where he retired in 2003 as chairman of the social studies department of Portage Northern High School. Mel and his wife, Susan, have two daughters and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[Annet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mel Starr always give a great view of medieval times, combined with a crime story, where Hugh de Singleton, medieval surgeon and detective, goes on a hunt for the killer and usually gets pursued himself by the bad guys out there. Enjoy these books and the details of the times, but this one was a bit less interesting than the previous ones. Therefore.... 3 stars.

[Karen Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I started reading this series featuring Hugh de Singleton by Melvin R Starr, I couldn’t stop. Searching for historical fiction that really captured a specific era (I was looking for the late 1300s, early 1400s) but was tight, well written and engaging proved harder than I initially thought – in that, I had already read so many good novels, it was hard to find new material. That was, until I stumbled upon Starr’s series.
The fourth book in the Hugh de Singleton series, the surgeon who becomes a bailiff to Lord Gilbert Talbot (he of the arching brow), Unhallowed Ground is probably grimmer and darker than the other books in one way and yet, in another, also has a delightful and quite charming parallel narrative as Hugh is no longer a bachelor and early in the book he receives some wonderful news that will change his and Kate’s lives.
The tale commences with the death of a character we’ve come to know and loathe from an earlier book, the violent and manipulative Thomas Atte Bridge. Discovered hanging from a tree at the crossroads, it’s first believed that the man committed suicide, only, Hugh and Thomas’ poor wife, don’t believe that to be the case.
But when Hugh’s investigation uncovers a ream of suspects, all of whom not only had good reason to do away with Atte Bridge, but are decent upstanding citizens as well, Hugh finds himself facing a serious moral dilemma. When his investigation uncovers a criminal prepared to harm more than a villain, but Hugh and his wife, the bailiff’s anger is roused and he stops at nothing to find out who’s the culprit and why they’re prepared to go to such lengths to stop him discovering their identity. Only this time, the answers are not what Hugh expects…
Against the backdrop of the investigation, life at the manor and within the surrounding village is gently drawn. The reader follows Hugh on his investigations and intellectual peregrinations as he tries to fathom who the most likely culprit might be. In this book, we are also given a peek into married life and the role of a new wife and doting husband – and it’s utterly charming but realistically drawn as well. Likewise, the travels that Hugh undertakes as he seeks the killer, the insights into professional roles and respect for skills, medical, surgical, carpentry, horsemanship etc. are also lightly but accurately drawn.
These books are like a time capsule into a world and time past, but as I say repeatedly in my reviews, without sacrificing story. The pace can be slow, but the writing is always elegant and the characters beautifully drawn. Another delightful read.

[Susan in NC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, as in I really liked it despite slow pacing in the first quarter or so. I have enjoyed each entry in this mystery series about 14th-century bailiff/surgeon Hugh de Singleton, and this was no exception, although the pacing dragged a bit for me in the middle. I think it was largely because Hugh was trying to solve the possible murder of a truly horrible person - always hard to care when the world seems better off without the deceased!

I was delighted to see Hugh and Kate settling into Bampton as newlyweds, although I missed the humorous and enlightened presence of Master Wyclif after he played such a prevalent role in Hugh's previous adventure, "A Trail of Ink". I do like how Starr has recurring characters, good and bad, from previous books - just like real life. Here, the evil and disliked Thomas atte Bridge is found hanging from a tree one morning, and the relieved villagers hastily settle on a verdict of suicide; he is quickly buried in unhallowed ground, typical fate of a suicide. Hugh and Kate see what look like drag marks in the dirt road that match the back of Thomas' shoes, however, and suspect murder...

As with all of Hugh's previous investigations the pace is slow, befitting the time and his other responsibilities as a bailiff and surgeon. Weeks go by as he struggles to find justice for the despised murdered man, and the story becomes more complicated as Hugh and Kate are threatened. I find it slow going at times but very realistic; the rhythm of life is so much influenced by nature and the seasons and the Church calendar. I wouldn't want to go back to a time when life was often "nasty, brutish and short", but I do enjoy these characters and reading about their lives and a time so different from our own. Recommended for fans of well-written historical mysteries.

[Georgann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do like these medieval mysteries. The author does a good job with the 1366 setting, with the difficulties of life back then. Hugh is such an upright guy, honest about his own failings, and very observant and clever as a detective must be. Kate is a wonderful addition to his life. I am enjoying following this series.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stihla som tohtoročnú výzvu len tak-tak. Dnes je Silvester, úplne divný rok to je... viac sme doma, ale ak nie sme chorí, tak sa treba venovať deťom... a o deťoch je v malinkej miere aj táto časť. Teraz ma zaujal lekársky zákrok (vlastne tie lekárske úkony sú v každom dieli, raz opravuje lepbku, inokedy zlomeniny, potom šedý zákal, cisársky rez...), ale aj vyšetrovanie zdanlivej samovraždy je zaujímavé. Pátranie po jednotlivých stopách v tejto sérii kníh o Hughovi Singletonovi je nenáhlivé, trvá dni, týždne, vlastne aj mesiace... je to naozaj príjemná historická detektívka. Aj s vôňou jedla, aj s inými smradmi... :) Odporúčam, samozrejme a teším sa na ďalšie knihy.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better and better.

[Joseph Brink · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review for book one.

[Cindy B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting plot and series with Christian morals
and testimony, well narrated.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of Bamptom in the year 1366, believes that Thomas, a man found hanging from a tree, has been murdered. All others, with the exception of his wife, believe that Thomas took his own life. As Hugh sets out to uncover the truth, he begins to uncover more and more evidence supporting his belief Thomas was murdered, but soon finds himself in a dilemma of having to investigate his friends for the murder of a man who was once his enemy.

This is the first chronicle of the Hugh de Singleton series that I have read, and I find myself wishing I had been able to read the first three! This novel was easy to get into despite not having read the others in the series, and Hugh is a fascinating medieval character, from his role as bailiff to his unique skills as a surgeon. Scenes such as the one where he removes a cataract added a unique flavour to the story as I considered the state of medicine in the 1300s. Overall, I greatly appreciated the rich historical detail in the book, such as learning of the "childwite", a fine for having a chlid out of wedlock. I cannot imagine such a fine today - seemingly half of all parents out there would be paying such a fee! The mystery itself was finely orchestrated and kept the pages madly turning, and the book is chock-full of godly wisdom. My favorite quote is "What is justice but truth with it's sleeves rolled up, ready for labor?".

Mel Starr is a gifted writer, with excellent pacing, interesting dialogue, and strong characterization. All in all, I greatly enjoyed this book and will be looking for future works from this talented author. I highly recommend Unhallowed Ground to those who love historical mysteries, and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Book provided courtesy of the publisher, Monach Books & Kregel, for the purposes of this unbiased review.

[Anietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more tightly-written addition to the series. Master Hugh must wrestle with his conscience when seeking a killer among those who were grievously wronged by the murdered man and, in certain cases, denied justice and effectively abandoned by the law. The bailiff has reason also to fall under suspicion himself by others and must ensure he is not seen to be accusing another to save himself. And, at what cost could discovering the guilty person have upon the community. These were all explored in a fine, sympathetic and interesting manner.

[Deb Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I've enjoyed each of the first three books in the Hugh de Singleton series, I found this one to be my favorite so far. Singleton finds himself facing a moral dilemma in his role as Bampton's bailiff.

[ABesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much weaker than the others in the series. This one is short, repetitive, and has more religious nonsense added than the others did.

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fourth book (and the second one I've read) starts with the mysterious hanging of the much-disliked Thomas atte Bridge. Master Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff to Lord Gilbert, is soon convinced that this death was no suicide; it was murder. He is charged by the grieving widow to discover the murderer. Yet with Thomas atte Bridge being universally hated throughout the village, there are too many suspects to consider. Master Hugh is also newly married, and he and his wife of three months are settled in a lovely home gifted to them by Lord Gilbert.

But with so many suspects Master Hugh must pursue, it soon gets out that he believes a murderer is loose in the town, and Hugh and his bride soon find their home and their lives in danger.

So much must be discovered amidst the usual rhythm of medieval village life in this area of England outside of Oxford.

The details of medieval life and society, of the lives of ordinary people, is shown realistically yet gently--the travails of life are accepted as God's will, and theology is also discussed as Master Hugh counts Oxford reformer John Wycliffe among his mentors. These mysteries move slowly, as medieval life most certainly did, yet there is a tone of comfort here, of normality, of reality, yet all tempered by the goodness (and evil) of humanity as seen through the non-judgmental eyes of Master Hugh.

A wonderful series! I am ordering more from the library, and my rector already has added the series to his reading list.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge de Singleton is back, this time with a wife and babe on the way (insert girlie squeal). Shortly after Easter, Thomas atte Bridge is found dead. It is believed he hanged himself, but Huge sees it differently. Thomas nor his brother, Henry, were well-liked in Brampton, and their deaths came to many as a blessing. As Huge tries to learn who might want to harm Thomas, the list becomes long, and in many ways, his death brought justice to those who couldn't get it. Should Huge find justice even for one who never gave it to others? Or let this be? Unfortunately, three attempts upon his and Kate's life push him to find an answer, but it is not what he expected it to be.

I love this series. I'm enjoying the growth of the characters. Brampton is a small town in the middle ages, so it is hard to add random characters. He keeps the same people, but you see development and growth through their experiences. Starr gives a glossary of terms at the beginning of each book, but I would like a glossary of characters as he is juggling a lot. Some characters are only making a brief appearance, so sometimes I have to stop and remember who they are.

I gave this four-stars, and again cozy historical mysteries readers check out this series.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read from this series, the more I enjoy it - and the more I learn about life in medieval England too.

I like Hugh, the MC, and his new wife Kate. He doesn't hesitate to discuss his work with her, and he actually listens to her thoughts and opinions, something not common in the era. Hugh has a good network of sources and people willing to help, and of course, Lord Gilbert's name opens a lot of doors as well.

The story opens with an apparent suicide, and a good deal of the book focuses on determining if it was indeed a suicide or a murder disguised as such. The dead man was nasty and the list of potential killers was rather lengthy, each with a similar motive. Unfortunately, the culprit turned out to be one of the characters I liked rather than the person I had in mind, but the motive made absolute sense.

The book ended with a teaser about the beginning of the next in the series, which is in my audio library, and I hope to listen to it relatively soon to find out what happens next :)

[John Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 4th in the very readable series centred on the life of Hugh-de-Singleton , surgeon and bailiff to Lord Gilbert.

Hugh is now married and it seems that his wife , Kate, has a sharp eye too for they find a couple of clues at the site of a death that convince them that the verdict of suicide given on the town's rogue and bully was incorrect.

As bailiff it is Hugh's duty to uncover the murderer even though most in the town are pleased by the death and many have serious personal grievances against the dead man. This is the problem for Hugh as he comes to realise that the townsfolk with the best motives are his friends. Then it gets personal.

The finger of suspicion points many ways as one by one the suspects are eliminated until........

Well drawn characters and scenes sway me upwards from my initial mark of 3.5 . Fortunately I see the next in the series is already waiting in my library.

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this book did not disappoint. I love the characters Hugh de Singleton and his wife Kate. They are easy to love and to care about. The plot lines are not something to write home about, but if you want a pleasing, enjoyable, light, quick historical mystery, then this is the series for you. The series is written by a "Christian" author but do not let this put you off. While there are references to religious ideas, but if you can look past these, then the books are sure not to disappoint. I will be anxiously awaiting the next in the series.

[Soozee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas atte Bridge, a thoroughly unpleasant and evil man, has been found hanged and everyone is quite happy to accept he committed suicide. Except Hugh, who, despite history with this man, believes he may have been murdered and therefore should be laid to rest in the churchyard and not at the crossroads as a suicide.

The story is firmly set in its time, and brings all the cadence of speech and way of life to the reader. Hugh is a lovely man, a surgeon as well as a keeper of the peace. However, his investigations bring danger to himself and his expectant wife Kate. But he cannot let the matter lie.

An entertaining and enjoyable read.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to find this excellent series completely enjoyable. Here Hugh is forced to consider what may be competing forces of justice and friendship in his role as Bailiff.

These are a thoughtful saunter of read for me and a fascinating look at life in the 1300's. Hugh and Kate are thoroughly endearing characters and their developing relationship/partnership is a terrific element of the series. Wry humor, intriguing puzzles and a vivid setting continue to make this a winner for me.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy medieval stories. This one focused on a murder and the dilemna of trying to find out who among the many who were wronged by the murdered man did the murder...and some of them were friends with Hugh. The story dealt with the conflict Hugh felt and the need to bring justice to a man who hurt many of those still living. The story struggled with the religious ideas and the social ideas of justice and mercy. A very thought-provoking book while still being an enjoyable mystery.

[Elaine Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+ partly because it got "stuck" on my Audible app near the end. I couldn't resume play or get it off the screen. I wound up having to un- and re-install the app! Anyway, it's another mystery series set in the middle ages that I've gotten hooked on. I did finally catch a year, 1367, in the last sentence teasing the next in the series.
I have wished for a Kindle reference for all the relighious references: the regular services, church calendar, etc.

[Maurice · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this latest Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon, mystery, our man must determine whether a fellow much hated in Bampton has committed suicide, as many would choose to believe, or whether he was murdered. Unfortunately, the main suspects would be men who Hugh likes and admires. A second happening concerns an attempt to kill both Hugh and his newly wed, Kate, by setting fire to their house. Are the two crimes linked?

[A J Nel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Master Hugh is called upon to investigate the death of a man named Thomas atte Bridge. Initially believed to be a suicide, Hugh soon uncovers evidence suggesting foul play. As he delves deeper into the case, Hugh must also deal with unwelcome nocturnal visitors to his home and risk to himself and his wife. As always a decent whodunnit, though character development has essentially come to a standstill. 3/5

[dOnnabud · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hugh de Singleton series is one of my favorites. Not only does Mel Starr effectively weave intrigue and characters with depth into his plot, he also reveals fascinating insights into Medieval English life. His period-specific perspectives on medicine and surgical techniques, social mores and religion, gender and class are mind-expanding.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m giving this a full five star simply because I read it in pretty quick fashion over the weekend as it drew me right into the story. I like the historical fiction and the fact that it set in the mid 1300s puts it in quite an interesting place in time. Solid murder mystery but I will say Hugh has really bad luck, it seems as though in every book someone’s trying to kill him.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1366 Thomas atte Bridge has been found hanged. The verdict given to this hated man is suicide. But evidence discovered by Hugh de Singleton proves otherwise, unfortunately, so he believes he must investigate. Only to find as expected many motives for the death.
An enjoyable and well-written historical mystery

[Pamela A Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good

I have recently discovered this series and I am enjoying reading them. I love historical mysteries and these are very good. I like how accurate the description of this time period is and the detail the author includes. If you enjoy reading this type of mystery I believe you will like these.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm doing a review for the whole series as I've left it so long since I started listening to them.

I would highly recommend this series and in fact I have done so to a number of people already. Very impressed with the writing, the research that seems to have been done and the historical accuracy is excellent.

Nice characters, good pace, interesting stories. Really interesting to see the ability of surgeons then and the ways Hugh deducts things.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine look at a regular person's life with a bit of historical mystery involved. I kind of liked how little detective or forensic work happened with regard to the mystery -- sometimes these types of book have their hero use too many modern techniques or mindsets to solve the crime. Hugh just went about his business and took his sweet time and that felt very real.