Unhallowed Ground book review

   Thomas atte Bridge is found hanging "from the limb of an oak at Cow-Leys Corner" and it appears to be a suicide.  In reality it's something far more sinister. Thomas atte Bridge is beyond despicable and few, if any, will mourn his passing.  Despite this, Hugh de Singleton, a medieval surgeon and detective, is determined to seek justice for the scoundrel of a man.  Thus, Unhallowed Ground, written by Mel Starr, shows itself to be exciting from the very first page!

   Unhallowed Ground is a clever mystery that both entertains and educates. The book begins with a glossary of medieval terms to enrich the reader's experience.  Initially I was a bit intimidated, but I quickly grew to embrace the new vocabulary and enjoy my trip back in time. Characters were interesting and well written and I really enjoyed getting to know the main character, Hugh de Singleton.  He is a "real" character with doubts and mistakes, yet he is able to use his knowledge for the better good.  
   Being immersed in the medieval period brought many topics to light. I was amazed at the types of taxes and penalties that were enforced, including a tax on unwed mothers!  Cataract surgery and C-sections, as well as other medical issues, are addressed in a basic way as they were new and not commonly used during the Middle Ages. How wonderful it is to live in modern times!  
   Unhallowed Ground is the 4th chronicle of Hugh de Singleton. The Unquiet Bones, A Corpse at St. Andrews Chapel and A Trail of Ink are also in the series and I believe they would also prove to be quite enjoyable!


Read the first few chapters here!


From the Publisher:

The Fourth Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon

Mel Starr

   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 Chapelwas covertly in Bampton at the time atte Bridge died.

   Master Hugh is convinced that Kellet has murdered atte Bridge--one rogue slaughtering another. He sets out for Exeter, where atte Bridge 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.

About the author:
   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.


*I received a copy of Unhallowed Ground from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*