Book Review and Giveaway: Rest Not in Peace by Mel Starr

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book, free of charge, from Kregel book tour, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it.


Welcome to our review of the sixth tale in the Hugh de Singleton medieval mystery series!

rest not in peace cover


Synopsis:
Master Hugh, surgeon and bailiff, is asked to provide a sleeping potion for Sir Henry Burley, a friend and guest of Lord Gilbert at Bampton Castle. Sir Henry--with his current wife, a daughter by a first wife, two knights, two squires, and assorted servants--has outstayed his welcome at Bampton.

The next morning, Sir Henry is found dead, eyes open, in his bed. Master Hugh, despite shrill accusations from the grieving widow, is asked by Lord Gilbert to determine the cause of death . . . which had nothing to do with the potion.


Review:
Normally I would have saved this book for History Corner, as Mel does such a wonderful job putting you right into medieval England, but the book delves into characters wanting to 'begin again' and changes in the characters' lives, and I though placing it today, with the other book review this afternoon, a bit more fitting, before the New Year begins!

As always, Mel gives us a nicely wrapped up mystery, that explores the historical place so effectively, that when you finish reading, you feel like you have to step back into this world! Mel gives you a glossary in every book, of the historical terms and words used, in case you don't know them. For me this adds so much depth to the book- you learn as you enjoy the tale! And the tale is full of suspects and motives, and not enough evidence. Mel does a great job in illuminating how much law enforcement has changed, by showing the options available to Hugh, and how an assumption could literally be fatally wrong for the innocent suspect. 

You don't have to have read the 5 prior books in the series to enjoy this one, as Mel gives enough of the character's background, so you know who everyone is and their places in the story. He also offers up photos and tales of the real places involved in the story on his website! If you love historical mysteries, you'll love this new stop in the Hugh de Singleton series!




About the Author: 
Mel Starr was born and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After graduating with an 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. Check out her website for more!


Want to win this review copy?






finis flourish

Comments

  1. Yes, I'd like to win but how? My sister lives in Portage. My nephew graduated from Western, and I live in Michigan, too. So I think I should win. :-) How?

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    1. Try it again- the GT didn't save the correct starting time- it should be fixed now

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    2. OK, it worked this time. Thanks. Sorry I didn't enter all your options. There are just too many. But I still hope to win. It's always nice to read a Michigan author, especially one I might meet someday. If he's from Portage, I'll bet he has book events at the Portage Library, which is right down the street from my sister.

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