History Corner- Book Review and Giveaway: A Trail of Ink: The Third Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon by Mel Starr

on March 10, 2011

**this giveaway is closed ***\

Synopsis: 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.

About the Series:
Book One: The Unquiet Bones: A young woman's remains are found in the castle, and a surgeon is challenged to dissect the mystery and uncover the truth.
Book Two: A Corpse at St Andrew's Chapel : Alan, the beadle of the manor of Bampton, had gone out at dusk to seek those who might violate curfew. When, the following morning, he had not returned home, his young wife Matilda seeks out Master Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of the manor.

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. For more information, please visit www.melstarr.net.

Review: This is a wonderful book! The author truly takes you back to the middle ages! He thoughtfully provides you with 4 pages of terms and vocabulary before you start the book, so you can decipher some of the historical words. The book does start a little slow, as you have to get used to the vocabulary. Once you do, the books seems to fly! The characters are well drawn out and Starr gives you very good examples of the social levels and norms of the time. The mystery is more complex than you think it is and is a very enjoyable read! I am ready to go back and find the first 2 books to read them! AND Starr had a 4th book coming out as well! YEAH!

And now one of you get to go back in time as well!

Want some more entries to win this great book?? Don't forget to check out the Blog Tour: http://www.facebook.com/notes/litfuse-publicity-group/blog-tour-a-trail-of-ink-by-mel-starr-march-4-19/10150108963107161 for more chances to win!

Giveaway:

ONE Winner will receive their own copy of An Anchor for the Soul!

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Contest will end on March 23rd, at midnight. Winner will be picked by Random Number (random.org) on March 24th, and emailed. As soon as winners' info is received, I will mail the book to the winner during the following week!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I was sent this book, free of charge, for for review purposes, by Litfuse Publicity. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about the book either.