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Book Review: “Unhallowed Ground” by Mel Starr

Mel Starr in his new book, “Unhallowed Ground” Book Four in the Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon series published by Monarch Books returns us to Oxford in 1366 for another mystery involving the intrepid bailiff and surgeon.

From the back cover: Thomas atte Bridge, a man no one likes, is found hanging from a tree near Cowleys 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. Searching for proof 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.

When I was a child I fell in love with the works of Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes but, unfortunately, there are a finite number of Sherlock Holmes mysteries.  Mel Starr to the rescue.  While Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon is not the great brain that Holmes is he is up there and Mel Starr gives him quite a workout in this book.

I think Mel Starr is an extremely talented writer who really knows how to tell a story that will grab you and keep you flipping pages until you find out who did it.  Not only do de Singleton and his fiance, Kate go down blind alleys in their efforts to find the murderer they also becomes targets of the murderer themselves.  “Unhallowed Ground” is a very exciting book that will keep you engrossed in the characters as well as life in England in the 1300′s.   This is a wonderful series and I am glad I discovered Mel Starr and his wonderful hero.  I recommend this book highly.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Monarch Books.   I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”