The Unquiet Bones: The First Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon (Hugh De Singleton 1) [Paperback]

Mel Starr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 2008 | Series: Hugh De Singleton 1

A young woman's remains are found in the castle, and a surgeon is challenged to dissect the mystery and uncover the truth.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Melvin R. Starr has spent many years teaching history, and has studied medieval surgery and medieval English. He lives in Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Monarch Books (November 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825462908
• ISBN-13: 978-0825462900
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

281 of 283 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery in the Middle Ages, October 14, 2008

By 

Chris S. Phillips (Kalamazoo, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unquiet Bones (Hugh De Singleton 1) (Paperback)

The first chronicle of surgeon Hugh de Singleton takes place in the 14th century at the time of the Black Death. Much of the population of Bampton has been decimated by the plague, but a corpse discovered in the castle cesspit reveals that murder is also afoot. Master Hugh determines that the remains cannot belong to the still missing Sir Robert, as assumed, and an investigation begins.

The story is narrated with humor and warmth by the unassuming Hugh de Singleton, who is determined to find the real killer in a time when expediency is often more important than true justice.

The book contains facinating insights into medieval surgery and medieval English. Starr's book is a delightful read, and I am looking forward to the next installment in the series. This book is available now in the UK and here on Amazon.com.

115 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent debut of a fine new protagonist, February 16, 2009

By 

Suzanne Cross "Bibliophilos" (Santa Fe, New Mexico United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Unquiet Bones: The First Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon (Hugh De Singleton 1) (Paperback)

What an excellent idea - to merge in the medieval England of Edward III, a surgeon who becomes a bailiff, with the potential for religion, law, history, and medicine! It may sound like an odd combination, but Melvin Starr's debut novel of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon (and later, bailiff to the interesting and rather likeable Lord Gilbert, third Baron Talbot and lord of Bampton) is a pleasant surprise. The author shows a firm grasp of his history - and of course, manages to move the remarkable John Wycliff, Lord of Balliol, into a couple of pertinent scenes - his plotting is careful and well set out. But I was most impressed with our new hero, Master Hugh. He is a man of parts ranging from modest to intriguing, and it's a fun read! I agree with the other reviewers, we can cheerfully hope that this will b e the first of a series.

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A decent mystery, February 27, 2010

By 

K. Huff (Radnor, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Unquiet Bones: The First Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon (Hugh De Singleton 1) (Paperback)

The Unquiet Bones is the first in a medieval mystery series featuring the adventures of Hugh of Single, surgeon. He's recently completed his training, and moved to the town of Bampton to practice his trade. When the remains of a young woman turn up in a cesspit, Hugh is called in for his medical expertise; and later, to solve the mystery.

It's an interesting plot, and there's a fairly good twist about two-thirds of the way through. Starr is technically not the most skilled of writers, but he gives his readers a very detailed picture of a town and its people during the 1360s. Hugh is a bit bland as a main character, and I'd like to see him develop a bit more as the series progresses. The potential romance wasn't as quite as fleshed out as I thought it should be. And I wasn't quite sure about Hugh as a narrator; it wasn't quite clear who he's writing these chronicles for, or why. The book took a while to get off the ground--the author starts with this great opening, then spends three chapters talking about various procedures he's done and how he came to know Sir Gilbert.

However, I did enjoy the plot twist that I mentioned above, and the descriptions of medieval medicine are excellent. The author has clearly done his research and is passionate about his subject. The book is plotted and paced well, and Hugh's inquiries into the death of the young woman in the cesspit are realistic. I look forward to reading more of his adventures. The book uses a number of medieval terms, which are easily explained by the glossary in the front of the novel.