What do you think?
Rate this book
The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon #13
The Easter Sepulchre
Keeping watch over the Easter Sepulchre, where the Host and crucifix are stored between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, is a great honour. Which is why the clerics are shocked to discover that Odo, one of the priest’s clerks, has abandoned his post in the middle of the night.
But as the hours pass and Odo is not found, panic rises. At first light Bampton’s bailiff, Hugh de Singleton, is roused from his bed.
It is Hugh that ingeniously finds the clue that leads all to fear for the life of the missing man… The question is, will Hugh be called to investigate another murder, or will he find the man hale and hearty? But if the latter, where has the blood come from?
But as the hours pass and Odo is not found, panic rises. At first light Bampton’s bailiff, Hugh de Singleton, is roused from his bed.
It is Hugh that ingeniously finds the clue that leads all to fear for the life of the missing man… The question is, will Hugh be called to investigate another murder, or will he find the man hale and hearty? But if the latter, where has the blood come from?
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2020
77 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Melvin R. Starr
26 books306 followersMel 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 7, 2020
Harsh review coming up .... I usually only give 4 or 5 star ratings to this author. I own and have read all of the books in this series and I'm nervous that the quality of the books are heading downhill...
Maybe, I'm being overly dramatic. I hope so.
I'm tired of reading about the food they ate, ALL THE TIME. I appreciate the author telling us what circumstances were like during this time period, but I feel like all the food talk is just filler to make page count at this point. Maybe include more stuff about the kids in the next book to expand and let us get to know the family even more.
Also, I felt like Hugh was going around in circles on this mystery, when it seemed obvious to me from the plot points. It was just frustrating. And then, the mystery completely solved itself up in the last chapter.
I will, of course, buy the next book #14, but am hoping for the author to dig deeper and take us readers, on a more exciting course.
Maybe, I'm being overly dramatic. I hope so.
I'm tired of reading about the food they ate, ALL THE TIME. I appreciate the author telling us what circumstances were like during this time period, but I feel like all the food talk is just filler to make page count at this point. Maybe include more stuff about the kids in the next book to expand and let us get to know the family even more.
Also, I felt like Hugh was going around in circles on this mystery, when it seemed obvious to me from the plot points. It was just frustrating. And then, the mystery completely solved itself up in the last chapter.
I will, of course, buy the next book #14, but am hoping for the author to dig deeper and take us readers, on a more exciting course.
November 15, 2021
No criminal investigators—except maybe Nero Wolfe and Cannon—pay more attention to food than Hugh de Singleton, a surgeon and bailiff in 14th century England unusually adept at solving mysteries. By my reckoning, Hugh misses just one meal in “The Easter Sepulchre.” But that’s part of the charm of Mel Starr’s long-running series: it attentively describes the daily lives of ordinary people in Bampton and surrounding towns.
The crimes begin in St. Beornwald’s Church on Good Friday in 1374, and require Hugh’s best investigative techniques, not all of which pan out. In fact, this mystery is practically a medieval police procedural, step-by-step, slowing just a bit toward the end. But, as always with Mel Starr, it’s an unfailingly intelligent tale.
The crimes begin in St. Beornwald’s Church on Good Friday in 1374, and require Hugh’s best investigative techniques, not all of which pan out. In fact, this mystery is practically a medieval police procedural, step-by-step, slowing just a bit toward the end. But, as always with Mel Starr, it’s an unfailingly intelligent tale.
November 4, 2020
Entertaining and educational as usual. Hanging out in Hugh's mind for a couple of days is always a good time.
December 7, 2020
I always look forward to the latest Hugh de Singleton novel when it comes out each summer. It's taken me a while to get around to this latest one, and whilst I liked it overall, I found it this latest installment a little bit slow and plodding.
Not that I expect non-stop action in each novel. I don't care for my historical mysteries like that anyway, but this one just came over a little bit repetitive and the conclusion a little bit obvious when it came.
However, it was enjoyable to see the return of some new characters, and the development of some others. Little Bessie is growing up and goes to her first formal event, and Kate actually proves how much of an asset she is to our erstwhile sleuth.
As usual, the historical details about everyday life in the 14th century were also very well done. This time we get to learn a little more about the regular clergy of a small country church.
Thanks to Anne Rogers and the Publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this title. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Not that I expect non-stop action in each novel. I don't care for my historical mysteries like that anyway, but this one just came over a little bit repetitive and the conclusion a little bit obvious when it came.
However, it was enjoyable to see the return of some new characters, and the development of some others. Little Bessie is growing up and goes to her first formal event, and Kate actually proves how much of an asset she is to our erstwhile sleuth.
As usual, the historical details about everyday life in the 14th century were also very well done. This time we get to learn a little more about the regular clergy of a small country church.
Thanks to Anne Rogers and the Publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this title. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
April 17, 2023
The writing was good and I enjoyed reading about the time period. I particularly liked that some of the language used was also of the time period. I thought that added something extra to the story. There was a handy glossary at the beginning too to help with some of the words plus a map so that you could visualise where things were in relation to one another.
The chapters were long and contained a fair amount of information. The story was full of mystery and dead ends so you felt like you had accomplished something by the end.
The characters were good. I enjoyed following the main character on his adventure and liked that he talked things through with his wife. There were quite a few characters to keep up with, but I think that I managed it well.
Lastly the settings. I loved the 14th Century time period and enjoyed reading about what life was like back then as a backdrop to this Easter mystery.
Overall an interesting read.
The chapters were long and contained a fair amount of information. The story was full of mystery and dead ends so you felt like you had accomplished something by the end.
The characters were good. I enjoyed following the main character on his adventure and liked that he talked things through with his wife. There were quite a few characters to keep up with, but I think that I managed it well.
Lastly the settings. I loved the 14th Century time period and enjoyed reading about what life was like back then as a backdrop to this Easter mystery.
Overall an interesting read.
September 20, 2020
I enjoyed this book. The storyline was a murder mystery set in medieval times. Murders piling up, stolen goods coming and going and you have to slowly work to solve this puzzle, as did the bailiff doing the investigation. I would call this a quiet read. It was a nice break from our hectic world and as a Catholic, I enjoyed the background setting.
This was my first book by this author and I have discovered it is book thirteen in a series. Yikes! I have some reading to do.
Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.
This was my first book by this author and I have discovered it is book thirteen in a series. Yikes! I have some reading to do.
Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.
November 26, 2020
I find reading stories about Hugh de Singleton to be comforting. The pace, the people, the eventual success all make reading these books a pleasure.
October 11, 2020
Watching over the Easter Sepulchre is a privilege and in Bampton the priests take turns. However when Odo, the clerk, is not at his vigil the churchmen are worried and call in Hugh. Hugh discovers some spots of blood on the floor and suspects foul play but when the body of Odo is discovered in the church he knows this is murder. Soon another clerk is found dead and Hugh is investigating more deaths.
Starr has written a lot of novels about Hugh de Singleton, a medieval baliff, surgeon and detective. They are very easy to read, not too long-winded and the plots are simplistic yet satisfying. Starr prides himself on his research (particularly about medieval food it seems) and the books are well-grounded in the era and also in the geographical region around Oxford. Whilst these are not the most complex novels they are comfortingly familiar and a pleasant read.
Starr has written a lot of novels about Hugh de Singleton, a medieval baliff, surgeon and detective. They are very easy to read, not too long-winded and the plots are simplistic yet satisfying. Starr prides himself on his research (particularly about medieval food it seems) and the books are well-grounded in the era and also in the geographical region around Oxford. Whilst these are not the most complex novels they are comfortingly familiar and a pleasant read.
October 7, 2020
Just another installment in Mel Starr's Hugh de Singleton series. There is a lot of repetition seemingly to make the book longer and to bring the new reader up to date. The mystery is not that challenging, but I like reading about Hugh and his family and how people lived during Medieval times. I can't help but compare them to now and how much has evolved over the centuries to make our lives so easy. Counting my blessings. Recommend the series.
October 16, 2020
This is the thirteenth novel in the series of novels featuring Hugh de Singleton, a fourteenth-century knight, surgeon, and bailiff to Lord Gilbert, third Baron Talbot.
In the village of Bampton, Oxfordshire it is Easter. At Good Friday vespers, in St. Beornwald’s church, the priest closes the service by wrapping the host in a linen cloth and placing it, along with a crucifix, in the niche that serves as the Easter Sepulchre where it will remain until Easter morning. Until that time, the Sexton and the three priests’ clerks will watch over the Sepulchre day, and night.
The next morning, at first light, Hugh is woken from his bed to be informed that Odo Fuller, one of the priests’ clerks keeping vigil over the Sepulchre appears to have abandoned his post in the night and is missing. Hugh organises an extensive search of the village and the surrounding area but there is no sign of the clerk. When his body is finally found, it is apparent a murder has been committed.
It is not long before a likely culprit is identified. However, one of the priests of St Beornwald’s, Father Thomas, calls on Hugh to express his concern that the man identified, Ernaud le Tournier, may have been falsely accused. So, even though this crime took place within the jurisdiction of a bishop’s court and not that of the King’s Eyre, Hugh finds himself charged with undertaking a more thorough investigation and discovering the truth of what happened within the church in the dead of night.
As every avenue of investigation that Hugh explores takes him no further towards the discovery of the murderer and as the death toll rises Hugh comes to realise that the events surrounding the death of Odo are more difficult to fathom than he, at first, realised. But despite the false trails and blind alleys Hugh slowly and methodically examines and tests the evidence before him and so comes at length to the solution of the mystery.
I have to admit that, in spite of his having produced a number of novels, I was not aware of the author, Mel Starr, or his work when I began to read his thirteenth novel in the series, “The Easter Sepulchre”. He has an extensive knowledge of the period in which he has chosen to set his novels. This gives a good sense of realism to the narrative as there is a great deal of authentic detail in his description of the day to day lives of people of the time, prosperous and poor alike. Even the dialogue is evocative of how people at that time may have spoken.
The characters are varied and nicely drawn, and the author describes well their relationships and interaction with a convincing sense of their individual status in society. The plot is pleasingly complex and is resolved rather neatly at the end. There is little that I can find to criticise in this novel other than perhaps that it might be considered by some to be rather sedate and lacking in pace; and maybe that by the time I had finished the story I was perhaps a little too well informed about the diet of people of the fourteenth century. But, in truth, reading this novel has been a pleasant and satisfying experience and I shall, no doubt, be seeking out other novels in this sequence.
In the village of Bampton, Oxfordshire it is Easter. At Good Friday vespers, in St. Beornwald’s church, the priest closes the service by wrapping the host in a linen cloth and placing it, along with a crucifix, in the niche that serves as the Easter Sepulchre where it will remain until Easter morning. Until that time, the Sexton and the three priests’ clerks will watch over the Sepulchre day, and night.
The next morning, at first light, Hugh is woken from his bed to be informed that Odo Fuller, one of the priests’ clerks keeping vigil over the Sepulchre appears to have abandoned his post in the night and is missing. Hugh organises an extensive search of the village and the surrounding area but there is no sign of the clerk. When his body is finally found, it is apparent a murder has been committed.
It is not long before a likely culprit is identified. However, one of the priests of St Beornwald’s, Father Thomas, calls on Hugh to express his concern that the man identified, Ernaud le Tournier, may have been falsely accused. So, even though this crime took place within the jurisdiction of a bishop’s court and not that of the King’s Eyre, Hugh finds himself charged with undertaking a more thorough investigation and discovering the truth of what happened within the church in the dead of night.
As every avenue of investigation that Hugh explores takes him no further towards the discovery of the murderer and as the death toll rises Hugh comes to realise that the events surrounding the death of Odo are more difficult to fathom than he, at first, realised. But despite the false trails and blind alleys Hugh slowly and methodically examines and tests the evidence before him and so comes at length to the solution of the mystery.
I have to admit that, in spite of his having produced a number of novels, I was not aware of the author, Mel Starr, or his work when I began to read his thirteenth novel in the series, “The Easter Sepulchre”. He has an extensive knowledge of the period in which he has chosen to set his novels. This gives a good sense of realism to the narrative as there is a great deal of authentic detail in his description of the day to day lives of people of the time, prosperous and poor alike. Even the dialogue is evocative of how people at that time may have spoken.
The characters are varied and nicely drawn, and the author describes well their relationships and interaction with a convincing sense of their individual status in society. The plot is pleasingly complex and is resolved rather neatly at the end. There is little that I can find to criticise in this novel other than perhaps that it might be considered by some to be rather sedate and lacking in pace; and maybe that by the time I had finished the story I was perhaps a little too well informed about the diet of people of the fourteenth century. But, in truth, reading this novel has been a pleasant and satisfying experience and I shall, no doubt, be seeking out other novels in this sequence.
March 16, 2025
Sepulcher - A recessed place for sacred relics, especially in an altar. In this case, it was built into the wall of a church and large enough to hold a man.
For the story, the Host and crucifix were placed in the receptacle to be removed on Easter. Instead, on Easter morning, the body of a murdered man was also discovered. There weren’t enough suspects to make this a real who-done-it, and I’m guessing most readers who know who the guilty party is early in the book. And only Hugh would discover a drop of dried blood on the floor and check everywhere except the Sepulcher. He guess he was too concerned about making a disturbance in church, but then a man was missing and couldn’t be found.
The real story, as always, is the attention to detail of the era when the book takes place. You often wonder just how dirty the inhabitants of 1374 were, and we have our answer when Hugh and his wife take a bath before attending an important dinner. They suggest they will be the cleanest people there. It was a dirty, smelly, buggy time. I can’t imagine staying in the inns mentioned in the series with beds filled with bugs.
No development of the characters in this edition other than they are getting older and feeling the pains of what in this time was early old age. Kate and Hugh do get to dress in their finest and attend a dinner party as Sir and Lady. It is funny that hundreds of years later, these titles mean the same thing.
Another interesting aspect of this book is how unusual it is to travel long distances. Most of the lower class probably didn’t travel far from their small villages. Hugh, on the other hand, travels to most every city close by and, of course, makes many trips to Oxford.
I do wonder why Hugh would leave a stolen silver item with a shopkeeper who knew it was stolen and was trying to sell it. Why not take it with him and return it to its rightful owner? He did have the right and authority. This seems like a bit of filler material for the book.
Another problem I have with the story is the death by arrow. We are to believe the cook fashioned an arrow from a silver spoon, a branch of a tree and chicken feathers. This arrow was capable of going through a body and causing death. And what of the bow, it is never mentioned. A cook carrying a six foot bow with the capacity to deliver such a crude arrow might be noticed.
For the story, the Host and crucifix were placed in the receptacle to be removed on Easter. Instead, on Easter morning, the body of a murdered man was also discovered. There weren’t enough suspects to make this a real who-done-it, and I’m guessing most readers who know who the guilty party is early in the book. And only Hugh would discover a drop of dried blood on the floor and check everywhere except the Sepulcher. He guess he was too concerned about making a disturbance in church, but then a man was missing and couldn’t be found.
The real story, as always, is the attention to detail of the era when the book takes place. You often wonder just how dirty the inhabitants of 1374 were, and we have our answer when Hugh and his wife take a bath before attending an important dinner. They suggest they will be the cleanest people there. It was a dirty, smelly, buggy time. I can’t imagine staying in the inns mentioned in the series with beds filled with bugs.
No development of the characters in this edition other than they are getting older and feeling the pains of what in this time was early old age. Kate and Hugh do get to dress in their finest and attend a dinner party as Sir and Lady. It is funny that hundreds of years later, these titles mean the same thing.
Another interesting aspect of this book is how unusual it is to travel long distances. Most of the lower class probably didn’t travel far from their small villages. Hugh, on the other hand, travels to most every city close by and, of course, makes many trips to Oxford.
I do wonder why Hugh would leave a stolen silver item with a shopkeeper who knew it was stolen and was trying to sell it. Why not take it with him and return it to its rightful owner? He did have the right and authority. This seems like a bit of filler material for the book.
Another problem I have with the story is the death by arrow. We are to believe the cook fashioned an arrow from a silver spoon, a branch of a tree and chicken feathers. This arrow was capable of going through a body and causing death. And what of the bow, it is never mentioned. A cook carrying a six foot bow with the capacity to deliver such a crude arrow might be noticed.
August 8, 2021
Charming
These books are slow and somewhat repetitive in their style of exposition, but they have the flavor of an historic chronicle of the period. Starr is an historian, so though he bows to contemporary interest by having protagonist Hugh ponder questions that are salient to the present, he never significantly compromises his accuracy when making a case. I love the details about food and daily life and the way Hugh’s reasoning takes the place of technology and modern science. Hugh is himself a scientist, testing hypotheses with trial and error and always considering logical alternative explanations. His religion is genuine but practical. The mystery is usually easy for the reader to solve, the fun is peering through an ancient mind recreated by a talented and creative scholar- Mel Starr. I love his books and seize them as soon as they appear.
These books are slow and somewhat repetitive in their style of exposition, but they have the flavor of an historic chronicle of the period. Starr is an historian, so though he bows to contemporary interest by having protagonist Hugh ponder questions that are salient to the present, he never significantly compromises his accuracy when making a case. I love the details about food and daily life and the way Hugh’s reasoning takes the place of technology and modern science. Hugh is himself a scientist, testing hypotheses with trial and error and always considering logical alternative explanations. His religion is genuine but practical. The mystery is usually easy for the reader to solve, the fun is peering through an ancient mind recreated by a talented and creative scholar- Mel Starr. I love his books and seize them as soon as they appear.
October 11, 2020
This is #13 in a series that I have read from Book 1, and it does not disappoint. The story starts with the disappearance of Odo, one of the local Church's clerks, with a spot of blood being all that is left behind. The actual story, and crime, end up in a different place altogether, and Hugh de Singleton solves the mystery with the help of a mysterious mute "holy man" who has taken to living near the village. There were places where I wondered "where is this story going" but it ended up in an understandable place, so I was satisfied. The problem with this universe is that it is very small, restricted to the village of Bampton and its environs, and so coming up with fresh story lines in that context would be a bit challenging. That said, I look forward to #14.
March 8, 2025
Hugh is not one to give up and this puzzle was one that nearly defeated him. In the current cultural madness, this book was such a welcome pleasure to read. Hugh, a thoughtful man of principal, simply won't give up on the murders and theft in his village.
Realistically slower paced than the usual thriller, this series offers a look at a good man determined to do the right thing. An extra bonus is the interwoven history of the time especially the food. Medieval names for food sound anything but appetizing until I check Starr's glossary and learn just what "Pomm Dorryse" actually is!
Love this series!!!
Realistically slower paced than the usual thriller, this series offers a look at a good man determined to do the right thing. An extra bonus is the interwoven history of the time especially the food. Medieval names for food sound anything but appetizing until I check Starr's glossary and learn just what "Pomm Dorryse" actually is!
Love this series!!!
October 19, 2020
Reading a new Hugh de Singleton book is always a delight! Mel Starr does such a great job of making medieval times come alive. I love Sir Hugh's dry and deprecating humor. This book is one of my favorites, I think. The plot twists and red herrings are very well done. Can you imagine questioning someone who can't speak or read, so all questions must be able to be answered with a nod or shake of the head?! Be sure to start with book 1 if you haven't read all the books.
December 24, 2020
Tedious
I have read all the books in this series and enjoy them all. The characters are appealing and the mysteries are interesting. But the writing is getting tedious and Repetitious. And if sir Hugh eats one more maslin loaf I will become ill. The accuracy of the medieval diet is noted but the lack of variety is unappealing to my taste in reading.
I will still continue to read the series and hope sir Hugh dines with lord Gilbert more often.
I have read all the books in this series and enjoy them all. The characters are appealing and the mysteries are interesting. But the writing is getting tedious and Repetitious. And if sir Hugh eats one more maslin loaf I will become ill. The accuracy of the medieval diet is noted but the lack of variety is unappealing to my taste in reading.
I will still continue to read the series and hope sir Hugh dines with lord Gilbert more often.
December 8, 2020
What I would call a perfect read
I chose the five star rating because the book was thoroughly entertaining. It has an excellent plot . The dialogue is scintillating!y good and the story was extremely well paced. Mel Starr takes you back in time so well ,you're there ,invisible but right in the thick of it . I can't wait to read his next novel!!!
I chose the five star rating because the book was thoroughly entertaining. It has an excellent plot . The dialogue is scintillating!y good and the story was extremely well paced. Mel Starr takes you back in time so well ,you're there ,invisible but right in the thick of it . I can't wait to read his next novel!!!
March 29, 2024
Another grand tale
I just love reading of Sir Hugh and his investigations. Even when I think I have figured it out, there is an unseen twist that takes me by surprise. Such good stories, and so nice to enjoy a series that can entertain without resorting to sex and vulgarity to hold an audience!
I just love reading of Sir Hugh and his investigations. Even when I think I have figured it out, there is an unseen twist that takes me by surprise. Such good stories, and so nice to enjoy a series that can entertain without resorting to sex and vulgarity to hold an audience!
September 22, 2020
I wait for a year for the next exciting book in the Hugh de Singleton series & I finish reading it within the day. I just love this series
Its an excellent read & you wont be disappointed. Roll on for next years book.
Its an excellent read & you wont be disappointed. Roll on for next years book.
December 31, 2021
Though I find the investigations during this time period interesting, especially how slow everything is, this one was almost tedious. Too much eating the same thing day after day, road conditions on journeys to the same places and repeating things done just experienced.
June 12, 2023
I enjoy this series despite some of the repetitive stuff about not dressing wounds and the obsession with meals but I marked this one down from 4 stars because the author seems to have forgotten when John was born - he should be about 5 now surely?
March 9, 2024
Every book in this series is a treat
This is most definitely an excellent read.I really enjoy the descriptions of the medieval food , and particularly, I am also glad for the glossary.
This is most definitely an excellent read.I really enjoy the descriptions of the medieval food , and particularly, I am also glad for the glossary.
October 4, 2020
Another great read
I have read every book in this series. I so enjoy Sir Hugh and his adventures.
And even more the historical side.
I look forward to the next one 😀
I have read every book in this series. I so enjoy Sir Hugh and his adventures.
And even more the historical side.
I look forward to the next one 😀
October 6, 2020
Loved it as always!
November 1, 2020
Still another great Sir Hugo book.
November 12, 2020
3.5 stars-not my favorite
December 12, 2020
I love this book and wish this series would go on and on without end.
April 1, 2021
Thefts and murders -- what a dastardly place Medieval Bampton must have been.
April 6, 2021
Another exciting book!
I enjoyed book thirteen! Loved the suspenses. The setting, the story, as well as the well developed characters made this short novel a joy to read.
I enjoyed book thirteen! Loved the suspenses. The setting, the story, as well as the well developed characters made this short novel a joy to read.
February 19, 2022
Up to his usual standard but I did think it was a wee bit similar in format to some of the earlier ones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews