A Trail of Ink: The Third Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon by Mel Starr

From LitFuse... sponsor of this tour...
An excellent medieval whodunit by the author of The Unquiet Bones and A Corpse at St Andrew's Chapel

Some valuable books have been stolen from Master John Wyclif, the well known scholar and Bible translator. He calls upon his friend and former pupil, Hugh de Singleton, to investigate. Hugh's investigation leads him to Oxford where he again encounters Kate, the only woman who has tempted him to leave bachelor life behind, but Kate has another serious suitor. As Hugh's pursuit of Kate becomes more successful, mysterious accidents begin to occur. Are these accidents tied to the missing books, or to his pursuit of Kate?

One of the stolen books turns up alongside the drowned body of a poor Oxford scholar. Another accident? Hugh certainly doesn't think so, but it will take all of his surgeon s skills to prove.

So begins another delightful and intriguing tale from the life of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon in the medieval village of Bampton. Masterfully researched by medieval scholar Mel Starr, the setting of the novel can be visited and recognized in modern-day England. Enjoy more of Hugh's dry wit, romantic interests, evolving faith, and dogged determination as he pursues his third case as bailiff of Bampton.
http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Ink-Chronicle-Singleton-Surgeon/dp/1854249746/ref=sprightly-20

About the author, Mel Starr...
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 seven grandchildren. www.melstarr.org

As those of you who have read Bags, Books & Bon Jovi for a while probably know I love... no... LOVE mysteries... followed very closely by historical fiction. So, when I read a historical mystery, I'm pretty much in Heaven!! That said, this mystery definitely did not disappoint! I was taken to another time and place. Mr. Starr is very skilled at creating a realistic medieval world. This was not one of those genre mysteries, that for a few time and place references, could have been set at any time or any place. It was written by an author who cared to create, not only a believable world, but a mystery that kept me challenged and interested even as I turned the last page. A Trail of Ink was written with dialogue that was time appropriate (at least as far I am concerned) but not so much so that it was the focus of my reading. The focus was Hugh de Singleton. He is a great addition to my world of great fictional detectives. He is engaging and I enjoyed following him as he "solved the mystery". His world is populated with characters, sites and events that I can't wait to read more about.

While great characters are all well and good, they won't carry a mystery novel, if the mystery is lacking. Believe me, I know... I've read mysteries like that. The mystery in A Trail of Ink is intriguing and kept me guessing even as Hugh unraveled it.

I usually don't like to read series mysteries out of order. However, due to time constraints and a huge TBR pile (you know how that is, right...lol), The Third Chronicle was my first introduction to this very literate, rich and clever series. I look forward to reading The First Chronicle and seeing how Hugh de Singleton began his detective career.

LitFuse would like to announce... Kregel Publishers is graciously donating a $50 Amazon.com gift card for the Litfuse Blog Tour Contest! Woo-hoo (thanks Kregel!) All you have to do to enter is either tweet (see TWEET THIS below) or share the book on Facebook using this link: http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Ink-Chronicle-Singleton-Surgeon/dp/1854249746/ref=sprightly-20

TWEET THIS: A Trail of Ink by Mel Star. An excellent medieval whodunit. RT for a chance to win a $50 GC to @amazon! http://ow.ly/45c2k #litfuse
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~~Thanks to Amy at LitFuse, Mel Starr and Kregel Publishers for providing a copy of A Trail of Ink: The Third Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon in exchange for my honest and thoughtful review.~~