A young woman's remains are found in the castle, and a surgeon is challenged to dissect the mystery and uncover the truth. Hugh of Singleton, fourth son of a minor knight, has been educated as a clerk, usually a prelude to taking holy orders. However, he feels no real calling-despite his lively faith-and he turns to the profession of surgeon, training in Paris and then hanging his sign in Oxford. Soon after, a local lord asks Hugh de Singleton to track the killer of a young woman whose bones have been found in the castle cesspool. Through his medical knowledge, Singleton identifies her as the impetuous missing daughter of a local blacksmith. The young man she loved-whom she had provoked very publicly-is quickly arrested and sentenced at Oxford. But this is just the beginning of the tale. The story of Singleton's adventure unfolds with realistic medical procedures, droll medieval wit, romantic distractions, and a consistent underlying sense of Christian compassion. “Thoughtful and curious, surgeon Hugh is an engaging character who feels totally real.” —Rikki B. “I enjoyed the setting, period, the very realistic characters and the dry wit.” —Donna B. “I read all of it in one go - quite the best medieval mystery I've read in a while. I teach medieval history, so it's always nice to read something by someone who does actually know what he's talking about. Can't wait for the next one! ” —Sarah T.

The Unquiet Bones: The First Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon

Literature & Fiction

Melvin R. Starr

Contemporary

Monarch Books

Master Hugh, Kate, and their children attend the Midsummer's Eve fire. Next morning early Hugh hears the passing bell ring from the Church of St. Beornwald, and moments later is summoned. Tenants collecting the ashes to spread upon their fields have found burned bones. Master Hugh learns of several men of Bampton and nearby villages who have gone missing recently. Most are soon found, some alive, some dead. Master Hugh eventually learns that the bones are those of a bailiff from a nearby manor. Someone has slain him and placed his body in the fire to destroy evidence of murder. Bailiffs are not popular men; they dictate labour service, collect rents, and enforce other obligations.&nbsp; Has this bailiff died at the hand of some angry tenant? Hugh soon discovers this is not the case. There is quite another reason for murder ...

Ashes to Ashes: The Chronicles of Hugh De Singleton, Surgeon

Lion Fiction

A medieval whodunnit set in Bampton, Oxfordshire during the plague years and featuring a newly qualified surgeon.

The Unquiet Bones

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Monarch

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Books by Melvin R. Starr