Wednesday 16 March 2011

Book Review: A Trail of Ink by Mel Starr

About the Book: 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 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 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. Masterfully researched by medieval scholar Mel Starr, the setting of the novel can be visited and recognized in modern-day. Enjoy more of Hugh's dry wit, romantic interests, evolving faith, and dogged determination as he pursues his third case as bailiff of Bampton.

My Thoughts: Even though this is the 3rd book of a series, it works very well as a stand alone book (I hadn't read either of the 2 previous works).

Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and this one, set as it is in Medieval times, was thoroughly enjoyable. It was a fun mystery and an easy read.

Since I enjoy reading books, I also enjoyed reading about this book mystery and particularly about John Wyclif.

I also enjoyed the style of the author's writing. It gave you the feel of being in Medieval times, and yet it was still easy to understand. An example from the very first lines of the books...

I had never seen Master John Wyclif so afflicted. He told me alter that it was as onerous to plunder a bachelor scholar's books as to steal another man's wife. I had, at the time, no way to assess the accuracy of that opinion, for I had no wife and few books...


Thank you to Stephanie and Amy from Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary review copy.

Contest: 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 - (and be sure to use the hashtag #litfuse to be entered into Amazon.com gift certificate drawing and no need to email that you tweeted - we'll be able to track it via the hashtag.)

FACEBOOK THIS: A Trail of Ink by Mel Star. An excellent medieval whodunit. Share on your wall for a chance to win a $50 GC to @amazon! http://ow.ly/45c2k (email info@litfusegroup.com to let us know you 'shared'


1 comment:

Diane said...

I also reviewed this book and really liked it. I just ordered his other two in the series. Have a good week! :O)

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