Book Description: The morning after the festivities of Midsummer's Eve, the villagers of Bampton make a grisly discovery
Master Hugh, Kate, and their children attend the Midsummer’s Eve fire. The next morning 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 labor service, collect rents, and enforce other obligations. 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 . . .
My Thoughts: I've had the pleasure of reading all The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton by Mel Starr.
These reads are outside my usual readings even though they are mysteries.
There isn't a lot of fast action and the books are very historical. Mel Starr has done a lot of research in the early days of medical practices.
By now, Master Hugh is married to Kate and they have children. So, as most families would Master Hugh and Kate take their family to the Midsummer's Eve fire. A celebration in the community. Then, the next morning as the people are spreading the ashes in the fields bones are found. (Hence the title Ashes To Ashes).
One must remember that Master Hugh is not only in the medical field but he is a detective of sorts. When there is mystery the people come to him for answers. And so, once again, the community comes to Master Hugh for answers to why are several men missing...most of them are found dead. Why the murders?
Master Hugh is on the case!
I must admit I couldn't figure this case out very quickly but I enjoyed the clues and working alongside Master Hugh. {Yes, an armchair detective!}
A great read for those who enjoy a slower pace, lots of history mixed with a mystery!
*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*
- Series: The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon
- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Lion Fiction (November 27, 2015)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1782641335
- ISBN-13: 978-1782641339
Going to give it a try!
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