Suppression and Suspicion

The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon #15

by Melvin R. Starr

Delve into the world of fourteenth-century England in this thrilling historical mystery, the fifteenth in the brilliant Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton.


Edmund Harkins has gone missing.

Few in Bampton liked him, knowing him to be a wife-beater and distinctly unsavoury character, so when some hungry pigs unearth his corpse from a shallow grave, there is hardly an outpouring of grief.

As bailiff, it is Hugh de Singleton’s duty to bring Edmund’s killer to justice. But where is he to start investigating when almost everyone in the village has a motive? And when everyone is pleased to see the scoundrel dead, who knows how far they might go to help someone get away with murder?

To further complicate Hugh's life, the Bishop of Exeter has appointed his nephew as Bampton’s new vicar. But as well as an obsession with discovering any heretical views Hugh might hold, he could not be more unpriestly – he not only acts appallingly with Lady Katherine’s maid, but is contributing to the unhealthy atmosphere of suppression and suspicion that has come to pervade the village . . .

Fast paced and full of twists and turns, Suppression and Suspicion is a brilliant medieval murder mystery perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory and Peter Ellis. Mel Starr paints an immersive and atmospheric picture of fourteenth-century England, and weaves a compelling mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.

The fifteenth volume in the Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Suppression and Suspicion will be thoroughly enjoyed by long time fans of the series but can also be read as a standalone novel.

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

232 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2022

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

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, it's fun to read a Hugh de Singleton story - easygoing, entertaining, and educational.

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh no! I’m at the end of the series. Will be sadly missed!

[Diane Estrella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author was back on track with this book in the series. Just the right length. An interesting new twist too. I always wonder how the author will come up with a new interesting twist and he usually does. I've already recommended this book to 2 friends and they are enjoying this series as much as me.

I don't love the new cover designs as much but thankfully, the inside is what matters most!

I bought this book for my own reading enjoyment. This author is on my must read list.

[Bumpy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this book..I have read all of the Hugh Singleton chronicles and the first 8 were very good, well written, interesting information re the times etc..this book has sentence upon sentence of the “maslin bread” and capons that were consumed, and how well the children ate, obviously filler sentences to just add pages..if Mr Starr is running out of ideas, perhaps he should retire his main character, as Hugh and his exploits are a shadow of what they started out with

[English · Rating 4 out of 5]

I (usually) love my Hugh de Singleton books. This one was interesting and involved a lot more in terms of social attitudes and domestic issues than some of the other stories in the series. Towards the end I was rather concerned that it was going to be a rehash of an earlier story, Unhallowed Ground. There were similarities, but it wasn’t entirely the same.

I’m not sure I agreed with everything Hugh did and all the decisions he made in this one, but I could understand his motivation if not he justification. One thing I did find interesting was the idea of community justice in Medieval England, and the idea that people in villages might well deal with disputes in their own way, without any recourse to the central legal authorities who were seen as out of touch at best, and openly corrupt at worst.

I hope to continue reading more Hugh de Singleton books, moving forward as I do enjoy the series and I just hope the author doesn’t run out of ideas.

Thanks to Lion Fiction for approving my request for this title. I also pre-ordered the book for myself. (The only thing which didn’t impress me with that was the number of pages stuck together because the book hadn’t been cut and finished properly, but this isn’t’ review of the book’s condition.)
Neither of these influenced my review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Mieczyslaw Kasprzyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book I read in bits and bats whenever travelling so the experience was quite disjointed. Despite this fact, I never lost track of the plot, picking it up very easily every time I picked the book up. I don't know whether my rating would have been higher if I'd have read it in one go but I do feel that this was one of the better ones in the series.
Hugh comes across a number of problems in his investigation of the murder of a wife-beater and it isn't straightforward for the reader either. Sometimes there are signposts pointing in very specific directions... not this time. There's a lot going on and the village is silent; a conspiracy of silence?
There are annoying yet quaint elements about all of Mel starr's tales... no, annoying is the wrong word, but he does like to use "mediaeval" language and mention meals without any further development... Actually, food plays an important role in Hugh's life/day... but then, I shouldn't be surprised at that. Religion also acts as a core and here I think Hugh is a bit too outspoken in a world where the stake beckons...
It's still entertaining, and that, in the end, is all that matters.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, this is a difficult review to write. It felt as though I had waited forever for this book to come out, and it was delightful to read. Hugh de Singleton, Lord Gilbert, Kate, and all of the characters were wonderful to read about again. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I will just say that there were a few areas that it was sort of choppy. None of the books have ever made me feel as though I had one bit of desire to live in medieval times, but this one made me wonder how human beings, even with the grace of God, even managed to survive to modern times. I can't deny that the ending was realistic, but it certainly left me with a queasy feeling.

[Nance Roepke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite medieval mystery series. MedStar does a wonderful job of coming up with new ideas for each book. In this case Hugh has to find the murderer of a man that no one likes and also has to walk a tightrope with the new Vickers so that he doesn't end up excommunicated. Hugh has said just a little too much to some people and it may get him in trouble. I think it more likely that he will solve the mystery then that he will be safe from the Vickers Wrath. So that makes it a good story, Justice all the others have been.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

15th in a series. I have chosen most of these to be audiobook as I really enjoy the narration. Set in mediaeval England 14th century. The main character is once again Hugh de Singleton, bailiff and surgeon. This murder mystery involves the death of a man who no one has missed. In fact, his death has brought relief among many people. Hugh has the unfortunate task of trying to find who among the villagers may have been the killer, difficult right from the beginning as there are those who have told him “ to leave it be”. I’ve already pre-ordered the 16 audiobook.

[Gary McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After fifteen books, Mel Starr may be running out of ideas. We have another story where Hugh’s obsession with talking about his beliefs regarding purgatory is a main part of the story. We have a missing man who is disliked by the village for many reasons, including his often beating of his wife. Hugh’s wife wants him to do something about it, but of course, this is the 14th century, and he can do nothing. Even today, this remains an issue, often in the news. As far as the storyline, I’m reminded of Agatha Christie’s “Orient Express” for a similar story and ending. Not much new here. Hugh’s wife is pregnant, and Arthur’s son shows up as a replacement for his father in Hugh’s adventures. Hugh still has little regard for his own life and goes into a situation where I would think he would want to be surrounded by knights. There is a lot of repeating throughout the book. How many times will Hugh say he has no idea why wine poured on a wound seems to cause it to heal faster? I felt the ending was unsatisfying as the villains, even though they may have been justified, get away with the crime. If I were Hugh, I wouldn’t have started the investigation in the first place. After all, it is the 14th century. Also, at the end, we are told Hugh redeems himself in the next book.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fizzle

As much as I like the characters in this series the plot leaves much to be desired. It actually peters out about halfway through the story but staggers along to an unsatisfactory finish. The author then has the nerve to have Hugh tell us that he actually does what he's supposed to the next time. Unless the next book is free I'll never find out what happens.

[Roger Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book by Mel Starr.Definitely' a must read'

I always thoroughly enjoy Mel State's books. Why? . Because the central character , Hugh de Singleton is so believable and loveable and the plots and the dialogue are just perfect for him and the period the books are set in.I
I CAN'T WAIT FOR MEL'S NEXT MASTERPIECE!!!

[Avril Hemingway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series as Hugh is such a great character. There are always lots of details of life and times in this era which is great and the plots are always good although the endings are not always as I would like that is life. All in all a lovely read can't wait for the next I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Peggy Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in excellent series

I like Hugh and hope to read many more of his tales. This us a likeable and believable character who doesn't always succeed but does his best. The historical setting is believable and not overdone.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful visit to Bampton, England in the 14th century. Mel Starr makes the period come to life with his Hugh de Singleton, the very observant and multi-skilled surgeon and bailiff who solves mysteries and saves lives.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really disappointed in this book. The mystery was boring. The story was slow moving. It was almost as if the author was coerced into to writing another book in the series. Recommend earlier books in the series.

[Michelle Ule · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on Audible and it was harder to follow the story--though hearing it read, I flinched several times at the description of the corpse.

It just reminded me that life is never simple--especially in 14th century England!

[Ms T · Rating 5 out of 5]

restful and satisfying read

Lots of details, gentle to follow plot, good characters, a lovely read, satisfying ending. I love these books, can’t wait for the next :)

[Aria Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author and it wont be the last. The writing was engaging, the characters were well developed and the storyline was compelling. A really enjoyable read.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Further education in 14th century life, plus a search for evil doers with Sir Hugh. These books are just really good.

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of a mystery, though Sir Hugh plods along repeating himself constantly. The interesting part was the conundrum he and lord Gilbert faced in the conclusion.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable, well researched medieval crime mystery.

[Karin Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall enjoyable but I get a bit frustrated with Hugh at times, not learning from his mistakes.

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much "fast breaking" and meal description. Othetwise, a good story.

[Marilyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author does like to be a Bible bashing anti Catholic, and although a story going on about scripture not references purgatory which is not true is very annoying

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually vapid plot and uninspired detection work.

[Gregory McEwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great novel!

I have read all the novels in this series. They are all amazing! Any reader will quickly become addicted to the suspense.

[Magen Lindstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy the adventures of Sir Hugh and im satisfied with this ending on a morale note but the story's ending felt a bit sudden.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series and the regular personalities in the stories. I read this in one go on a flight today.