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    Deeds of Darkness
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    Deeds of Darkness
    Unavailable
    Deeds of Darkness
    Ebook278 pages4 hours

    Deeds of Darkness

    By Mel Starr

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    When Bampton's coroner, Hubert Shillside, does not return from a trip to Oxford, Master Hugh de Singleton is called.

    Concerned for his old friend, Hugh takes to the road to investigate. Travel is safer than in times hence but, out of sight of prying eyes, it is still unwise to travel alone... Hugh finds a body, stabbed and left to rot, but it is not the body he was expecting to find. Indeed, reports of pillage, attacks, and chaos on the roads out of Oxford suddenly seem rampant. Hugh must ascertain whether the incidents are random, or whether something darker is afoot. The guilty cannot afford to be caught, but what lengths will they go to to cover their tracks, and will Hugh escape unscathed?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLion Fiction
    Release dateAug 18, 2017
    ISBN9781782642466
    Unavailable
    Deeds of Darkness
    Author

    Mel Starr

    Mel Starr is the author of the successful Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton series. He was born and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After graduating with a MA in history from Western Michigan University in 1970, hetaught history in Michigan public schools for thirty-nine years. Since retiring, he has focused on writing full time. Mel and his wife, Susan, have two daughters and eight grandchildren.

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    Reviews for Deeds of Darkness

    4.5/5

    7 ratings4 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I cannot get enough of Mel Starr’s books!!! He could write one every month and I would still want to read more! I have all is books and each one is a keeper! As with all his books, the setting is in the late 1400’s in England. Once again, Hugh deSingleton, bailiff and surgeon to Lord Gilbert Talbot, is off to solve another murder mystery. From the minute I opened the book I could not put it down. Even though each book is the same era and Hugh is the main character, they are never the same! This is crime fighting in the raw as there are obviously no DNA testing or computer data bases to aid in the search for criminals. Hugh never ceases to amazing me with his attention to the minutest details and brilliant deductions with the sparse information he is given. With his great sense of humor and incredible sleuthing I am laughing one minute and trying to guess the outcome another. There is also a wealth of historical information of the customs and ideas of the era. As always, I especially enjoy the surgical practices and family life of the time not often highlighted in murder mysteries. I find the glossary of words from that age at the front of the book extremely interesting. Do you know what a dibble stick, a runcie, or hamsoken is? Once again Hugh is involved in another murder investigation. A local resident of Bampton has gone missing and his son comes to him for help. His father was headed to Oxford, an hour away to do business which would involve 2 days including an overnight stay at the monastery along the way. Keep in mind most people walked the distance. The father never returned. In his searching Hugh finds that there have been more killings and assaults on this much traveled road. It appears to involve 4 assailants dressed as monks. In addition, many homes are being robbed in both towns. As usual he has limited clues to go on, gathering a few here and there as he searches. He hates leaving his wife and children with the frequent, long, and dangerous travel between the two towns this job entails. It is concerning because he and his family’s safety are in jeopardy, not only because of the lawbreakers but simply living in medieval times. Another wonderful book by Mel Starr! Immersed in history and suspense! A book you will want to read!I received this book from Kregel Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.
    • 4/5
      Title: Deeds of Darkness (The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon #10)Author: Mel StarrPages: 234Year: 2017Publisher: Lion FictionMy rating is 4 out of 5 stars.Master Hugh de Singleton now narrates his tenth chronicle for readers. Once again, readers are transported to the village of Brampton, England in the 14th century. Hugh is tasked once again with solving a murder in his role as bailiff for Lord Gilbert. This time murder visits someone Hugh knows from the village, someone he has worked with before.In searching for clues, Hugh must make many trips to Oxford as well as a local abbey. More and more thefts are begin committed in the area, as well as murder. Hugh chases down clues related to a group of well-dressed young gentlemen as well as a group of poorly clad scholars or priests in ragged black robes. Are either group connected to the crimes, or is there another criminal at work yet to be discovered?In addition, Hugh visits his father-in-law while in Oxford and discovers him close to death and his shop making no money. He has also recently been robbed of the few books he might have sold. Hugh decides to bring his father-in-law to Galen House where he might live his last days. Once under Hugh’s roof and Kate’s good cooking, his father-in-law sees an immediate improvement in his health. The three of them hash out the information related to the various crimes, which helps Hugh’s thinking process.I so enjoy visiting Hugh and the familiar cast of characters who aid in his crime solving. I like reading about the food eaten and clothes worn during that time as well as how difficult it was to survive in that time. The observations of human nature, subtle humorous jabs, and words of wisdom were quite often true. The glossary and map at the beginning of the story was also helpful. Hugh has matured since his first chronicle. He has learned to hold his temper better and control his tongue more. The next book in the series is titled, Prince Edward’s Warrant. I am already anxiously awaiting a trip to the 1300s English countryside!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
    • 4/5
      I love, love, love Mel Starr’s medieval mystery series featuring surgeon and bailiff, Hugh de Singleton. Not only does Starr bring medieval England to life, he creates an intelligent mystery that keeps both the main character and the reader on his toes. Deeds of Darkness is the 10th book in the series and is as fresh as all the rest. If you love history and mystery this one is for you!Hugh is once again charged with uncovering a mysterious event in his bailiwick. Besides determining what happened to businessman and coroner, Hubert Shillside, Hugh is faced with assaults, murders, hamsoken (breaking and entering), and threats to himself and family. All in all, just another episode for his chronicles.Starr does his homework in the creation of Hugh’s world. Interesting details of everyday life and a sprinkling of old English words combine with the social order of the day. His characters are very much medieval in their attitudes and ethics, but there is plenty there for the modern reader to identify with. Men (and women) haven’t changed that much in the 600+ years since Hugh lived. The mystery is filled with twists, turns, and puzzling clues. Deeds of Darkness keeps the reader guessing. Justice in 14th century England is unlike our’s — the state and church had separate jurisdictions and sentencing requirements. But it is certain that, one way or the other, everyone got what they deserved. Hugh is a very devout man and keeps the tenets of the church and the teaching of Jesus to the forefront of his mind, even when they are difficult to follow. Starr portrays a world in which faith is the center of a man’s world, but in the latter days of the 1300s, a reforming wind is in the air.Intelligent, intriguing, and just plain fun, Deeds of Darkness is a recommended read. And with other deeds of darkness sure to come in the future, I look forward to more adventures with Hugh.Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Kregel and Lion Hudson for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 5/5
      As with the previous eight books I have read in this series, author Mel Starr does not disappoint. As he takes Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon and bailiff, in medieval England about his daily experiences we are given a fabulous glimpse into their the slow paced life and methods used by de Singleton to treat injuries and illnesses, resolve criminal activity, and interact with laborers, clergy, and family.The books are not lengthy or difficult reading. The "tone" of the writing and speech reflects on what one would expect relevant to the times and sets the pace. Historical detail is interspersed in treatment of wounds, meals consumed (barley loaves and maslin loaves are in abundance), and murders and theft solved using forensic clues and evidence that were available in the 1300s.In Deeds of Darkness the plague is past leaving the populace sparse with not enough to plow the fields, buy the goods in the stores, etc. But life goes on and Hugh de Singleton plods along the paths and across the streams trying to find out who is murdering people along the road and who is plundering homes when folks are at church.This is Christian fiction and Singleton's faith is intricately woven into his actions and speech. The Church is Catholic with monasteries and black robed monks abundant and all people are by law required to attend Mass. This leaves homes unoccupied providing opportunity for thieves to plunder. And as admonished in Scripture, one is to have nothing to do with deeds of darkness but is to expose them. And that is just what Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon, does in this story.A good read and one I can recommend. I found the historic references very interesting and Starr includes a glossary defining period words and terms used in the text.The frequent visits to monasteries for means of meals and lodging and Hugh de Singleton's respect for customs of the monks is interesting and enlightening. And Singleton's wit and conversational thoughts a pleasure to read.DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Kregel Publishing to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. I received no compensation.